Whistler’s Western: The Boston & Albany in PC Black

Boston and Albany tracks still see freight trains today – but now those trains say CSX on the side. Before CSX, before Conrail, there was Penn Central. Many jokes have been made about the PC, but it kept heavy freight moving over the Berkshires despite many obstacles, political and otherwise. Those former B&A tracks, designed by George Washington Whistler for tonnage and speed, were important to the Penn Central. In this DVD A&R Productions and Bruce Malone worked together to bring to life that era of the B&A through vintage film shot by Bruce’s father. You’ll see the B&A through the PC era into the early Conrail era, from North Grafton through New York State. Second generation power attempts to maintain schedule despite adversity. We think there is a sentimental attachment to that simple black paint with white squiggle and the heroic efforts of the railroaders getting the job done.