Steam to the NRHS, 5 Conventions, 11 Big Locomotives, Over 8 Hours!

Since 1935 the National Railway Historical Society has put on conventions for rail aficionados. From local conventions to regional and huge national get-togethers, these conventions often feature historic steam locomotives. In this Pentrex Combo presentation, we’ll see the locomotives that starred in the 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 2002 national conventions.
The shows included are:

2002 NRHS Convention, “Steam to the Grand Canyon”: Former Santa Fe steam locomotive 3751 returned to the rails for a thrilling excursion from Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona and return in honor of the NRHS 2002 National Convention. Leaving Los Angeles, the mighty 4-8-4 battled the grades of Cajon Pass before setting out across the desert to Needles, thrilling spectators with her awesome displays of steam power. The following day, the 3751 completed the trip to Williams where she prepared to head up the Grand Canyon Limited excursion.

This highlight of the Convention featured the 3751 running on the Grande Canyon Railway, double-heading and triple-heading with GC Ry’s own steam power! The scenic splendor of South Rim vistas framing nostalgic images of double-headed and triple-headed steam on the rails – it’s an incredible sight that can’t be beat! On the return trip from Williams to Los Angeles, 3751 made a rare-mileage trip over “the Peavine” and the Arizona & California Railroad via Parker. An exciting finale over Cajon and into the Los Angeles Basin winds up a magnificent steam event!
Bonus Footage: 37 minutes of deleted scenes which are not included in the VHS version.

1994 NRHS Convention, “Atlanta Steam Celebration”: The haunting sounds of steam locomotives echoed once again through the Deep South when the National Railway Historical Society held its 1994 National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Enthusiasts rode excursion trains pulled by the Frisco 1522 and the N&W 611, or cheered trackside as these two powerful steam locomotives thundered by. Pentrex was on the spot as official videographer to record all of the convention’s exciting events for your enjoyment. The nonstop railroading action was highlighted by fantastic doubleheaders of the Frisco 1522 and the N&W 611. The 1522 impressed the crowds with its “loud bark” as it doubleheaded with the 611 from Birmingham, Alabama, to Atlanta, Georgia, and later from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee. N&W 611, with its streamlined looks and matching maroon passenger cars, evoked visions of the past as it raced by small towns and scenic countryside. New Georgia Railroad’s vintage diesels added to the entertainment as they pulled a dinner train to Stone Mountain, while Norfolk Southern diesels joined the steam locomotives on “rare mileage” trips over former Southern Railway, Central of Georgia, and L&N lines. At Norfolk Southern’s McDonough training center, we tour the locomotive simulator, signalmen training and state-of-the-art welding centers. View the freight and locomotive repair areas, and watch as visitors are treated to a ride on the center’s 9-mile training track.

1993 NRHS Convention, “Steam to Chicago”: Pentrex presents exciting steam railroading as five of the nation’s most prominent and historic locomotives pull their excursion trains to the 1993 NRHS Convention in Chicago. The inbound Independence Limited, from Knoxville, Tennessee, is powered by four different steam engines on its four-day journey. Ex-Southern locomotive 4501 pulls the Special on day one from Knoxville to Richlands, Virginia. Then the famous Norfolk & Western streamlined class “J” 611 takes over for days two and three on its way to Portsmouth, Ohio, and into Fort Wayne, Indiana. The last leg of the trip is led by ex-Nickel Plate engines 587 & 765 double heading over the former Nickel Plate Railroad mainline from Fort Wayne to Calumet Yard, south of Chicago. The weather is clear and sunny as we watch the locomotives working hard, putting on a perfect show. Meanwhile, the mighty Union Pacific Challenger 3985, on its way to Chicago, is re-routed through Nebraska and Kansas by severe Midwestern floods. The train’s progress through Missouri is endangered several times when rising floodwaters almost reach track level.

1992 NRHS Convention, “San Jose Steam Celebration”: Three mighty steam locomotives were the star attractions of the 1992 National NRHS Convention in San Jose, California and Pentrex cameras were on the spot to bring you the most complete coverage of this exciting gathering. Union Pacific Challenger number 3985 is presented as it travels in both directions through the famous Feather River Canyon. Altamont Pass and Niles Canyon are also featured as the engine travels through these areas for the first time in its career. The Southern Pacific Daylight locomotive number 4449 made several excursion trips during the Convention, and each trip is thoroughly documented. Then Pentrex crews follow the Daylight as it works upgrade through the mountains to Klamath Falls, Oregon, on its northbound return. The newly-restored Southern Pacific locomotive number 2472 is impressive as it travels round trip from San Jose up the Peninsula to San Francisco. The concluding excursion of the convention features engine number 2472 on the point in an exciting doubleheader with SP 4449 for a round trip from San Jose to Watsonville.

1990 NRHS Convention, “Steam to St Louis”: Three of the nation’s largest steam locomotives attending the convention traveled three different routes in a spectacular display of mainline steam action. Pentrex crews covered the movement of the Norfolk & Western 1218, the Union Pacific 844 and the Cotton Belt 819. The trips covered over 9 states and thousands of miles. The 1218 traveled from Columbus, Ohio, through Louisville, Kentucky, on into St. Louis. The 844 started from Cheyenne, Wyoming, pulling freight to Kansas City, Missouri. From Arkansas came the 819 departing Little Rock with its special passenger excursion. This program provides the most complete coverage available of these mighty locomotives on their way to St. Louis.