Great Trains of America Eastern & Western Railroading

Amazon.com

An incredible resource for railroad and history buffs, Great Trains of America Box Set looks at historic trains and railroads to understand the emergence of railroads as a binding force in American history. With the help of interviews with historians and railroad experts, legends and folklore are explored as well as the mechanics and maintenance of locomotives. Special segments on the two DVDs include passenger train history, the Pacific Railroad Act, commuter train operations, and the controls on Amtrak's EMD 103 super locomotive; train safety and air brake operations, a how-to guide on operating steam and diesel locomotives, and modern freight train operations are also shown. The DVDs' special features include Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, digital railroad sound selections that make fun use of Surround Sound, and Internet links. --Erik Macki

Customer Reviews:

Misleading editorial review.......2006-08-23

The amazon review of this as stated is misleading. Stating that the content is with history and, well, the overall review is contrary to what is in the DVD set. It appears that a Small Mom and Pop type of company produced it in a manner where quality was not the top priority. The content is mostly from a spectator view. Almost as if the footage was compiled from tourists footage.
VERY little historical or tech data. Simple interisting tech data. The sound is poor. Voice dubbing is misaligned on one of the segmants. The transition from chapters is abrubt and it skips. Regarding the trains, 90 percent of the trains in the content are small Shay and Cg type trains. Only 2 segments have 'real' steam locomotives that the layman would recognise.
The speacial features are very short and some of it is renditions of the chapter content of the main feature.
This set is by any definition inadequate for the price and quality of content and material advertised.

A Great Ride.......2003-02-17

This DVD is a must for train fans. It covers some of the best scenic railroads in the USA. (The Cass Scenic Railroad is a personal favorite--a great trip through West Virginia's mountains in spactacular fall color.)

Average customer rating:

Great American Train Ride
Starring: Great American Train Ride
Manufacturer: Topics Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000NJWIQ2
Release Date: 2007-03-07

Product Description

Great American Train Ride Great American Train Ride on DVD: America's greatest locomotives from Chicago to Alaska! 4 COMPLETE VIDEOS The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Follow, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad from Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico. Enjoy visions of golden October trees, snow, steam and smoke as you listen to music composed by Michael Lynch and follow this respected locomotive along one of the most rugged railroad lines in the country. APPROXIMATELY 80 MINUTES Winter Steam Spectacular It's full steam ahead along the tracks in the wintry wonderlands of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Maryland. Travel to colorful Colorado to see the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and watch as the 2-8-2 #473 charges up Animas Canyon in the dead of winter. Visit Heber Valley Railroad and 2-8-0 #618 as it moves through the winter paradise of Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Enjoy winter action with the Nevada Northern as 4-6-0 #40 and 2-8-0 #93 pull passenger and freight trains, sometimes using both engines at once! Finally, discover what a pusher locomotive is all about as 734 shoves a freight train through the mountains of Western Maryland. APPROXIMATELY 100 MINUTES Santa Fe Mainline Memories Before its merger with Burlington Northern, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was one of the largest and most beloved railroads in the United States. Come along for the ride from Chicago to Los Angeles, and travel through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona and more! Explore the colorful locomotives that have captivated many, including the eye-catching "Warbonnet" locomotives painted in red and silver. Finally, enjoy the variety of photo locations showcasing amazing scenery. APPROXIMATELY 100 MINUTES Alaska's White Pass & Yukon Travel to Alaska to visit one of the most incredible railroads in the world, Alaska's White Pass & Yukon Route. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this railroad travels through some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere. Start your journey in early May in the beautiful town of Skagway and climb 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass, moving among mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, and lingering snow. APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES Captivating views, colorful locomotives, and historical tracks come together in Great American Train Ride, a 4-DVD collection of rail videos that explore the legendary trains and lines that span America from the Midwest to the snow-capped mountains of Alaska. The journey begins by following the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic over the rugged tracks from Colorado to New Mexico. Next, take in the chilly scenery as you follow steam engines through mountains, into canyons, and along side lakes in Winter Steam Spectacular. Continue on along on one of the most treasured railroads running between Chicago and Los Angeles in Santa Fe Mainline Memories. Finally, end your trip with a journey to Skagway, Alaska in Alaska's White Pass & Yukon and take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route, a railroad with history dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush. From spectacular scenery to legendary locomotives, rail fans and hobbyists alike will find something to love in Great American Train Ride!

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