Conrail Hall of Fame, Conrail from 1976 to 1997

SKU: DVD-CSP-139
(6 customer reviews)

Original price was: $29.95.Current price is: $24.95.

This is the 1976 to 1997 story of the Consolidated Rail Corporation, widely known as Conrail. It was created from the bankrupt Penn Central and a number of other bankrupt northeastern roads in 1976.

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Producer

Charles Smiley Presents
Run Time

2 hours 20 minutes
Narration

Yes
Shrink Wrap

Yes, Brand New
Technical Details

NTSC, Region Free, View Worldwide on Computer

This is the 1976 to 1997 story of the Consolidated Rail Corporation, widely known as Conrail. It was created from the bankrupt Penn Central and a number of other bankrupt northeastern roads in 1976. Our presentation includes many maps created especially for video to keep the viewer informed and to help paint the big picture. We bring you the early years of rebuilding, and the later years of a successful operation, that surprised nearly everyone. Everyone that is except the committed employees and the leadership Conrail had during its four phases of existence. This was like a four act play – with every element needed to make a great story that will be studied by business analysts and rail historians for years to come. The four principal phases of Conrail’s existence each had a CEO from a different business background that helped forge Conrail into a valuable operation. Once the system was stabilized, Conrail started making a profit and they went public with shares of stock that repaid all the accumulated debt. By the late 1980s Conrail was now taken seriously. Fortunately, all this was carefully recorded for history.

This video has been created from the early movie filming and professional-format video material of three different rail historians – each with their own talent and unique style. These are all scenes that you can no longer see along the today’s rails. In 1999, Conrail was divided and integrated into the Norfolk Southern and the CSX systems. Learn the plan that could have bolstered Conrail’s future as a separate, large system — but for a twist of fate. Our presentation includes many maps made especially for video to keep the viewer informed and to help paint the big picture. We bring the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Pittsburg line, from Altoona to Cresson in 1988 to 1992, with all the intense action, grades and helpers. The line east of Altoona brings more action from the late 1980s and 1996. See a great mix of manifest freight and intermodal trains in many scenic locations. Then, don’t miss the Harrisburg to Reading scenes on Conrail’s former Reading Railroad line. Consolidated Rail saved the northeastern railroad industry by lifting 6 bankrupt roads from an ash heap – albeit a colorful one – with lots of work and an identity of its own making.

6 reviews for Conrail Hall of Fame, Conrail from 1976 to 1997

  1. Stephen –

    Great video that helps explain Conrail! I love his maps and narration.

  2. Curtis Watson –

    Fun to trace Conrail’s history through the troubled days of the Penn Central to the prime years of “Big Blue.” And as always, Charles Smiley’s production style and quality are unrivaled! I personally haven’t seen many good programs of eastern roads; I’m happy to say this is an exception!

  3. Dan –

    It’s difficult to say which is better, the Conrail trains or the Conrail story. Together … and in the hands of a talented storyteller like Charles Smiley Presents … they combine to create something much more than a typical railfan video. Smiley has hit on a winning formula that is part train video, part history lesson and part documentary, and it’s a blueprint that seems perfectly designed to tell the story of Conrail. More than two hours of classic footage and iconic locations alone would make this program worth owning; the informative graphics, helpful maps and insightful explanation of the rise and fall of Conrail turn it into a “must have” addition to any collection.

  4. Jim –

    Great informative program and lots of video with sound from Conrail’s beginning. Detailed description of the merger and people involved along with the lines that made up Conrail with footage of those lines. Seeing an EL SD45-2 on Horseshoe Curve was nice, then an SD45-2 in Conrail paint. The ex PRR line through Pennsylvania was covered then moved north the the ex NYC water lever route. At 2 hours and 30 minutes, there is a lot to see, I wish it were 2 hours and 30 minutes longer!

  5. Lloyd –

    From ashes to the golden road….. Conrail did what it’s predecessors could not do….. it became a success in railroading. Charles Smiley takes us through that success story. Vintage old lines and power that once faced bankruptcy now a profitable enterprise. It’s great to see the variety of power and how a rail line became so great. Narration is excellent, as is the quality of the video. History preserved form the future generations to enjoy.

  6. Andrew Weise –

    Charles Smiley’s information was very interesting. He goes into great detail about the merger with information that it not commonly known. If you like informative documentaries this is a production you need to see.

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