GREAT STEAM TRAINS - VOLUME 3

This video was originally released in 1995 or 1996, and is being released on DVD in 2010. This has something for everyone with its mainline and mountain railroading. In 1992 we see N&W 4-8-4 611 make a roundtrip to Williamson where it backs east a few miles for a ceremony for the N&W Ohio extension, which we cover as well. The 611 is chased as far as Kenova where the light was failing. This was about 2 years before the end of the NS steam program. Our second segment is doubleheaded 4-6-2's on the short-lived Virginia Central. This operation only lasted about 3-4 weeks as the two ex-CPR engines 1238 and 1286 ran from Charlottesville to Clifton Forge over the CSX line(former C&O via Staunton). With a couple of steep grades 2 engines were needed for this 8 coach train, and while we did not get many shots, it was an exciting segment to see two matched engines on a train. This was shot in October of 1993. Our third section is out west in New Mexico and Colorado as we witness doubleheaded 2-8-2's on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad the last two days of passenger operations in 1992. This former D&RGW line includes the famous Cumbres Pass, at 10,015 feet, and the 4% grade from Chama to Cumbres required two engines on these days. Our fourth segment is ex-Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 number 261 operating on the famous "New River Trains" from Huntington, WV to Hinton, in the fall of 1994. The 261 puts on a fine show with a huge train of nearly 30 coaches. Spirited running, great sound, and cool weather in the autumn make this a great way to end the program. This was also the last year steam operated on the CSX mainlines. In 2010 when we put the dvd together, we added in about 10 more minutes of C&TS footage without narration, but with live audio. Looking back to the times when these mainline trips operated, we can say they really were great steam trains operating when we saw them, and we are pleased to have preserved these moments for all to enjoy once more.

70 Minutes $29.95