Steam in the East, 5 Discs, 15 Locomotives

The story of steam for the United States begins in the East. See that history and historic excursions and steam trips in this Pentrex Combo, Steam in the East.

Chattanooga Steam Reunion Railfans gathered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the first weekend in November, 1991, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Norfolk Southern’s steam excursion service. Twenty-five years earlier, the Southern Railway sponsored a steam-powered excursion from Louisville, Kentucky, to Richmond, Virginia, and the success of that excursion led to the growth of steam programs across the country. The locomotive pulling that historic train, the Southern 4501, is the guest of honor at this year’s jamboree. The weekend events begin as Pentrex captures the impressive Norfolk & Western engine No. 611 “J” pulling a 20-car train into Chattanooga. The 611 looks better than ever after having spent much of the summer undergoing repairs. Waiting to greet the 611 is the mighty “A,” the Norfolk & Western 1218. The main attraction, Southern 4501, puts on a Grande show as it pulls a special excursion to Hollywood, Alabama. On Sunday morning, the bright green Mikado is again honored by leading a triple-headed steam train out of Chattanooga. The proud engine is in its glory as it leads the 611, the 1218, and 28 passenger cars out of town.

3025 Chinese Mikado in Connecticut River Valley She was built half a world away, and once worked in Pennsylvania, but now she steams through the Nutmeg State on former New Haven Railroad trackage. She’s Valley Railroad #3025, a Chinese Mikado hard at work hauling tourists in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. Come along with Pentrex as we share the story of this most interesting 2-8-2.We’ll talk to renowned railroad photographer Tom Nanos, who describes the engine’s rebuild in Connecticut after a devastating roundhouse fire in Pennsylvania. Next we’ll go trackside as #3025 struts her stuff on a chartered photographer’s train. Then we’ll watch as two Mikados are steamed up for a day’s work – a rare sight in the 21st century.

Steamtown Grand Opening The long-awaited debut of the new Steamtown National Historic Site took place over July 4th weekend, 1995, and Pentrex was on the spot to capture this historic Grande Opening and the excursions leading up to it. Follow Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 steam locomotive #261 and New York, Susquehanna & Western 2-8-2 steamer #142 as they traveled through New York and Pennsylvania to arrive at the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western yards in Scranton. Enjoy a tour of Steamtown’s “Core Complex,” a working 13-stall roundhouse and turntable area with History and Technology Museums, a visitors center, and a theater completing the full circle of buildings. In the rail yard you’ll witness the Grande Opening Celebration including the Great Steam Parade, featuring six smoke-belching steam locomotives. Then witness the sights and sounds of working steam powerhouses as the Milwaukee #261, Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 #2317, and Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern 4-6-2 #425 pull special trains up the grade and along the 50 mph main line from Scranton to Moscow on Steamtown’s 13-mile excursion route.

Steam ’98 Big steam locomotive power ventured onto the high iron during the summer of 1998, and Pentrex was on the spot to capture the excitement. Our adventure begins with Milwaukee Road 261. This shiny black beauty led an excursion on the Twin Cities & Western in Minnesota, ran on the BNSF mainline from Chicago to Galesburg, and teamed up with Algoma Central F-units on the Wisconsin Central out of Green Bay. Then we climb into the cab of Nickel Plate 587 for a ride through the Indiana countryside and chase SP Daylight 4449 from Portland to Bend, Oregon. The scenic wonders of the Columbia River Gorge and Deschutes River Canyon are perfect backdrops to Daylight’s billowing clouds of steam and smoke and classic good looks. Pentrex was there when Union Pacific 844, joined by Centennial diesel 6936, journeyed from Denver, Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming for UP’s only public excursion of the year. And we attended “Steamfest in the Valley” at Osceola, Wisconsin where the year’s most thrilling event took place – a steam tripleheader featuring Northern Pacific 328, Soo Line 2719 and Soo Line 1003!

The Great Age of Steam From John Bull to Big Boy. This color documentary is hosted by longtime railfan and video producer Bill Warrick. In 30 minutes, we’ll go from wagons and horses (The first race between a wagon and a steam locomotive was won by the horse and wagon) and ship and boats on canals to the modern super power era. Bill clearly loves the subject and through vintage film, music and prose, he shows why we miss The Great Era of Steam. Additional footage of early locomotives (or reconstructions) has been provided by Pentrex. Footage of the “Golden Spike” reenactment has also been added. Remastered and color corrected in 2022. Silverton Branch of the D&RGW, now the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.