Across the Top, Steam in the High Rockies

SKU: DVD-SRP-ATT
(3 customer reviews)

$35.75

The only film record of steam across these passes. (Ships to USA & Canada only.)

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Producer

Sunday River Productions

Narration

Yes

Run Time

47 minutes

Technical Details

Region Code 1, USA and Canada

Here in a single DVD are the only known records of steam engines in motion across the highest railroad passes. Filmed in the Colorado Rockies over several decades, starting with rare footage from the 1930s, this DVD is a feast for both narrow and standard gauge fans. From the 1930s we get to watch the ore trains descend from the Blackhawk Mine on the Colorado Central to Clear Creek. The South Park Line is shown with quadruple headers battling upgrade through South Platte Canyon. We also see the last passenger train from Leadville to Denver.

From the 1940s: Ride the “San Juan” from Toltec to Durango; watch both freights and mixed trains on the Silverton. Ride over Marshall Pass and down the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Scenes of the “Shavano”, the Transcontinental Express of the thirties, at Gunnison and the Colorado Museum’s #346 as it really used to be. Finally, climb aboard and pull the throttle on the climb from Leadville to Climax. This DVD includes early 1400 class Mallets double-heading and the monster 3400 series, the last steam built for D&RG.

Narration. Sunday River Productions programs may feature Color film, B&W film, Music, Dubbed Sound and still photos.

3 reviews for Across the Top, Steam in the High Rockies

  1. rickyfreni

    Made in 1990, this program covers action in the Colorado Rockies that was filmed by 4 Cinematographers.

    In the 30s (filmed in Black & White), there’s a doubleheader with the 1200 series standard gauge engines leading the Panoramic, a pair of the 3400 series 2-8-8-2s on a mixed freight, & the Colorado Central with 2-8-0 number 70. On the South Park (reference to Comedy Central’s longest animated show), 2-6-0 number 9 wears a pilot snowplow while pulling 2 coaches as it heads for trout creek pass, then at South Platte canyon, there’s a doubleheader hauling freight which is led by future famous surviving 2-8-0 number 346 with since been scrapped sister engine 345, & pushing on the rear of the train is numbers 5 & 65. On April 12, 1937, the last passenger train leaves Leadville with a visit to Como Yard & Roundhouse with an Armstrong turntable. A stop was made in Buffalo with number 60 in charge. In Gunnison, 472 is removed as a 2-8-0 takes over. Later, 346 is taking a spin at the turntable.

    In the color films, number 44 is on a passenger train, followed by steam on the rock island, CB&Q, & the D&RGW Standard Gauge with 4-6-6-4 3706, & 2-8-8-4 3604, plus a ride on the San Juan Express with 478 still operating on the Durango & Silverton, as it rolls through Chama Yard while meeting with 486, not to mention 493 taking a spin on the turntable at Alamosa. Meanwhile, 375 is assembling a freight train, as well as 486 with 483 on a freight as an unactive 463 is in the middle of the consist. 453 is in charge of the mixed freight & passenger train. Moving North to Salida on the 3rd Division, there are tons of onboard footage on the 10,856 ft Marshall Pass line that is led by 494 which is still at Antonito, & later with a cab ride on 499 to Gunnison where 360 would take over. Later, 346 is at the Museum in Golden, then there is a ride with 361. Finally, we head to the Leadville-Climax branch with 641.

  2. Adrian C Duncan

    A priceless record of steam-era operations in the high country. I first bought this as a VHS but wore it out! Glad to have the DVD now! If you like narrow gauge railroads, this one is not to be missed!

  3. Chase

    This DVD is awesome with tons of must see footage for anyone who loves Colorado railroading. Great rare scene of the D&RGW C-19’s leased to the C&S climbing up Boreas Pass including 346 which survives today. Easily a favorite!

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