N&W 1218, Suwanee Steam Special
SKU: DVD-GF-CP028Original price was: $29.95.$24.95Current price is: $24.95.
N&W 1218, at the time the most powerful operating steam locomotive in the world, travels to Florida. Join the beast and the fun!
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| Producer | Green Frog Productions |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 55 minutes |
| Narration | Yes |
| Shrink Wrap | Yes, Brand New |
| Technical Details | No Region Code, NTSC |
The most powerful operating steam locomotive in the world travels to Florida. This part of the country never saw an articulated steamer, until the North Florida Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society (NRHS) brought her to Florida. Run by the Norfolk Southern, and sponsored by the NRHS, this incredible trip from the cab, Trackside and from the train! Awesome pacing shots with a gyroscopic lens, run-bys which will send chills up your spine, and sound that will blow you out of your listening seat! Don’t miss out on one of the most entertaining and fastest paced videos on 1218 yet!
1218 was retired in 1959 and sat next to Union Carbide in Charleston, West Virginia until 1964. Towed to a variety of museums for static display, she remained silent for 21 years. In 1985 Robert B. Claytor, then Chairman of Norfolk Southern helped bring her back to life. The loco underwent a two year overhaul, and in the Spring of 1987, railroad man Robert Claytor was at the throttle as the 1218 began her new life in excursion service for the Steam Division of the Norfolk Southern.
rickyfreni –
Originally released on VHS only in 1990, the engine operated from Jacksonville Florida to Valdasto Georgia & back. Fun fact, some of these scenes with the Class A 2-6-6-4 were later used in Steam Giants Across America from 1996, & even a 30 minute version of this program that was shown in an episode of All Aboard with Howard Goodwin on PBS.
Throughout most of the pacing scenes, 1218 whistles non-stop. There are also preparations on not only the Class A itself, but also food, & extra supplies are being loaded inside the coaches. One of the NS High Hood units Number 2860 is referenced to a Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson on BC Rail, while another NS High Hood unit Number 2765 is referenced to a scrapped Chesapeake & Ohio Kanawa which in August to October of 1993, Nickel Plate 765 was disguised into a C&O Kanawa.
During the photo runby, there are 2 camera crews: one trackside with the passengers, & another onboard 1218’s cab. Inside the coaches, the Bluegrass music band performs some tunes as well as some circus clowns for the children. There is also an interview with the owner of the private car as well as Carl Jensen.
This is the only time that the Green Frog crew captured 1218. Several Norfolk Southern Diesels as well as other Road Names like Norfolk & Western, are also included.
Sadly, these trips would never be repeated again as 1218 was operated in excursion service between April 1987 & retired in Mid to late November of 1991.
After the program, there’s a special PSA message from both the Green Frog crew, & the North Florida Chapter of the NRHS: an operation lifesaver advert on the Santa Fe in California.
Jeremy C. Schultz –
This 1218 program is one of the best ever made! The narration is insightful, the runby/pacing shots are exhilarating, and the video quality overall is excellent. This is one you will want to watch over and over again… Especially because it IS a rare “happening” for Norfolk Southern to bring the Class “A” to Florida.