Western Steam, 10 Discs, 12 Hours!

The vast distances of the American West always meant big railroad power. The days of steam are long gone, but the historical steam locomotives that have been saved from the scrappers torch stil stretch their legs over those same vast distances. Here are 10 shows and over 12 hours of the best Western Steam Pentrex has captured on video.
The shows included are:

Steam to Railfair ’99 The biggest steam locomotives in the country traveled to Sacramento in June 1999 to attend the last Railfair of the 20th century. Pentrex captured Union Pacific 844 and 3985, and Southern Pacific 4449 as they made their way to Sacramento from their home terminals. This show presents the locomotives with all natural sound and no narration. On-screen graphics indicate the location of each runby. Thrilling mainline steam action awaits you in Steam to Railfair ’99!

Sacramento Railfair 1991 The California State Railroad Museum celebrated its 10th anniversary in fine style by inviting dozens of locomotives to Sacramento. Pentrex was there to capture the event and provide you with all the sights and sounds of this special occasion. Sit back and enjoy a close-up look at each of the locomotives attending. Interviews with the crews provide information about their locomotives and the adventures they experienced traveling to Railfair. Also visit the entire Railfair complex, including the museum and behind-the-scenes action.

UP’s 40th Anniversary Steam Excursion On May 17, 1953, the first official steam excursion on the Union Pacific Railroad was sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club. Locomotive No. 3967, a coal burning Challenger equipped with “elephant ear” smoke deflectors, powered this pioneering excursion. To commemorate the 40th anniversary the Club sponsored a re-creation of the event on May 15, 1993. Wearing new number plates and sporting elephant ears, Challenger 3985 became locomotive 3967 for a day. For the high point of our trip, we take a cab ride between Laramie and Speer as the train battles the grades of the original line over Sherman Hill.

Steam to Spokane, SP&S 700 After years of being on display in Portland, Oregon, the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700 steam locomotive was brought back to life! This “Queen of Steam” put on a fabulous excursion on its home rails in April of 2001. SP&S 700’s shiny black paint and yellow lettering dazzled young and old alike as she traveled between Vancouver, Washington and Spokane. You will see the 4-8-4 Northern-type locomotive pull 18 cars through the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge and the rolling wheat fields and pine forests of Washington. The huge locomotive is seen at such scenic locations as North Bonneville, Pasco, Providence Hill, Sprague Lake, Latah Junction, and many others. You will also see the train arriving in the town of Ritzville, where a special celebration was staged for its arrival.

Above 3751 to San Diego On June 1, 2008, AT&SF 3751 made its first trip from Los Angeles to San Diego in 55 years and Pentrex was on the spot with multiple camera crews using the latest in high-tech equipment to bring you the best possible coverage of this exciting event. Using our famous aerial photography as well as trackside and onboard cameras, we were able to capture the train from all angles – and we do mean all! We were able to get some truly incredible shots! The powerful 4-8-4 Northern never looked better as she headed south along the beautiful Southern California coast.

Above the Rails! Two shows on one disc: Above Southern California Rails Pentrex takes to the skies! Climb aboard a jet helicopter loaded with state-of-the-art, gyro-stabilized video equipment. Skim over the blue Pacific Ocean as Pentrex follows Amtrak trains and BNSF freights along the “Surf Line” near San Clemente. Check out the newly-rebuilt BNSF yards in San Bernardino and examine UP’s West Colton Yard. Then in Above 3751 Over Cajon Santa Fe steam engine 3751 traveled over Cajon Pass as it moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento to attend Railfair ’99. Pentrex was there to document this incredible journey, with multiple camera crews capturing every highlight of famous Cajon Pass – and in the air!

UP 844 Western Heritage Tour In April 2009, Union Pacific sent its goodwill ambassador, steam locomotive 844, on a 32-day excursion to help celebrate several Western railroading events. Leading its handsome, matched set of vintage passenger cars, the venerable 4-8-4 powered its train over Donner Pass on the westbound leg of its “Western Heritage Tour” from Cheyenne, Wyoming to California’s Bay Area, and through the Feather River Canyon on the eastbound trek home. Pentrex had a camera on 844 as it traveled through some of the best scenery on this trip.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Passenger Train An exciting ride on the longest and highest narrow gauge railroad in North America, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Narrow gauge from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado. Mikado steam locomotives built in the mid 1920s power the vintage equipment for these passenger trains.

1986 Steam Expro Over 20 operating steam locomotives traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia to participate in the largest gathering of steam in recent time. Locomotives from England, Canada, and the United States were there for the Grand Parade of Steam!

Journey to Yesterday This film is rare in several ways: It is a rare behind the scenes of a movie made in the early 1950s, it is a rare look at how Hollywood makes railroad movies and it is a rare find! Being what it is, relatively few copies were made and distributed. This all-color film shows the making of Paramount Pictures’ “Denver & Rio Grande. The movie, starring Edmond O’Brien, Sterling Hayden and Kasey Rogers was released 1952. The movie was filmed on the Silverton Branch of the D&RGW, now the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.