There are some pros and cons with this video.

Pros:

The camera quality is extremely good in spite of the fact that this program was filmed in 1980.

One of the highlights of the program is when 2 Chessie diesels were removed so that 614 could tackle Allegheny Mountain on her own for the benefit of railfans. The locomotive made an excellent start up with very loud stack talk and the train is paced with a car next to it that even goes through a tunnel! Of course, the diesels were added to the 614 after that scene. But they were only there for the 2 runbys.

Cons:

There is some footage in the program that is redundant from 614 Phoenix Engine on the B&O. The interview with Ross Rowland and others were basically the same in that program. The only footage that is different is the footage of the Reading 2101 (probably from the defunct program "Train to Everywhere").

Only 2 days were filmed. The first day was from Richmond, VA to Clifton Forge, VA. The second day was from Clifton Forge to Huntington, WV.

The program could've been slightly longer with additional runbys.

I found this DVD to be very enjoyable, the C&O 4-8-4 #614 puts on a grand show of post-era steam action that I believe all steam buffs and rail-fans will very much appreciate!!

Very well done video of the early year of Ross Rowland and 614. Material I hadn't seen before. May order the others in the series before long. 614 has to be one of my all time favorite steam locomotives and, in my humble opinion, one can never see enough of that locomotive. It's a shame she no longer performs.

A prior reviewer listed both the Pros and Cons here, and I agree with them - so I won't re-list them here. What I will say is that this video, as well as the follow-up are both great, and both should be owned by anyone who loves the 614, as well as late steam action on the former B&O and former C&O. It's a shame, though, that much of this may never be repeated in our lifetimes. You never know, though. This is another opportunity to hear a younger Rich Melvin telling the story 614 over these mainlines - one I enjoy hearing over and over again!