Steam & Diesel Classics

Allegheny Rails I: the Baltimore & Ohio

The name William P. Price is synonymous with 50’s era railroad photography. His action steam and early diesel photos appear in numerous books and articles. Bill also made 8mm color movies while taking his famous photographs. The films have been shown to many groups with enthusiastic results. Now, through broadcast quality film-to-video-transfers, this historic motion picture collection is available to all on video.

This program features films made in 1953 and 1954 of the BALTIMORE & OHIO on the Pittsburgh Division, over famous Sand Patch Grade and on the West End of the Cumberland Division.

Featured is the "Big Six" 2-10-2, EM-1 2-8-8-4, P-1d 4-6-2, Q-1ba 2-8-2 and the Alco FA diesel. B&O’s famous passenger trains are seen including the "Washingtonian". Each scene is documented with historical information by William P. Price and Harry Stegmaier, Jr. The story is told by announcer-actor-railfan Rege Cordic. Presented with a musical background.

55 minutes

Allegheny Rails II: the Western Maryland

Steam and early Diesel action continues in the Allegheny mountains with the second program featuring the William P. Price 8mm Film Collection.

In this program, we visit the WESTERN MARYLAND in the 1950’s. There’s steam galore on the WM mainline to Connellsville and the Elkins Subdivision. Watch steam-hauled trains on the Salisbury Viaduct, at Big Savage Tunnel, on Helmstetters Curve, on Black Fork Grade and more.

Featured is the Decapod 2-10-0, Challenger 4-6-6-4, H-9 2-8-0, Pacific 4-6-2 and the Potomac 4-8-4. First generation F-7’s and Alco RS-2 diesels herald the end of steam. Historical documentation is provided by Bill Price and Harry Stegmaier, Jr. The narration is by Rege Cordic. Presented with a musical background.

52 minutes

Blue Ridge Steam: the Norfolk & Western

In the years 1955 to 1958, William P. Price took his 8mm movie camera to the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. The result is this program featuring his unforgettable movies of NORFOLK & WESTERN steam classics in action.

Those fascinating Mallets, the Y6 2-8-8-2, Class A 2-6-6-4 and the Z Class 2-6-6-2 are seen thundering over Blue Ridge Summit east of Roanoke, Virginia. To the west, Christiansburg Grade presents a formidable challenge to these huge engines. North of Roanoke Y6s and K Class 4-8-2s pound up the Shenandoah Line to Hagerstown, MD.

The NORFOLK & WESTERN railfan favorite, the "J" 4-8-4 passenger engines head up the "Powhatan Arrow", the "Pocahontas", the "Cavalier" and the "Tennesseean". A Class M 4-8-0 pulls the Blacksburg Mixed and Class E2 4-6-2 Pacific #578 rolls the Norton Local through the Virginia countryside.

Added Attractions...Southern Railway #4501 leads an excursion over NORFOLK & WESTERN rails in October 1966 and you’ll take a Vista Dome trip on the diesel powered "Powhatan Arrow".

Rege Cordic narrates this NORFOLK & WESTERN Classic. Presented with a musical background.

82 minutes

The Fifties Express

Throughout the Fifties, railfan Irv August filmed the daily activities of North America’s railroads. Those days are gone forever, but now by special arrangement with the ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD CLUB you can re-live those distant days. Climb aboard for a trip to a time when Steam Engines and First Generation Diesels roamed America’s railroads.

Actor-Announcer-Railfan Rege Cordic narrates this high quality production featuring 15 different railroads.

• CENTRAL VERMONT steam at the White River Roundhouse.
• CANADIAN NATIONAL trains west of Montreal.
• WESTERN MARYLAND freight and passenger trains between Elkins, West Virginia and Cumberland, Maryland.
• BALTIMORE & OHIO freight and passenger trains.
• PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD steam on Horse Shoe Curve.
• Trackside views of the NEW YORK CENTRAL, the NICKEL PLATE, the BOSTON & MAINE and the two foot gauge at EDAVILLE in Massachusetts.
• NEW HAVEN steam fan trip in 1953.
• NORFOLK & WESTERN Y-6 2-8-8-2 compound articulateds along with the sleek "J" engines on the "Powhatan and "Cavalier" passenger trains.
• DULUTH, MISSABE & IRON RANGE articulateds move ore to the docks at Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• NORTHERN PACIFIC articulated is serviced at Bozeman, Montana.
• MILWAUKEE ROAD electrics on the "Olympian" leaving Three Forks, Montana. "Little Joes" arrive with a freight.
• CANADIAN PACIFIC steam and diesel trains in the Candian Rockies.

52 minutes

Last Steamers of the Colorado & Southern

They were among the last standard gauge steamers to see regular service in the nation. In 1958 to 1960 railfan David Gross was on hand to photograph these beautifully kept steam locomotives on 16mm color film. From Denver to Wyoming, against a magnificent backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, watch 2-10-2 #900, 2-8-2’s #807 and #4978, 2-8-0 #641 and others perform their duties to the last. In a breathtaking winter sequence filmed by Edward Gerlits, ride steam rotary snowplow #99201 as it clears the Leadville to Climax Branch.

In the late 50’s, rail buffs from all over the country converged on Colorado to see these last days of steam on the Colorado & Southern Division of the Burlington Railroad. Now, experience these great moments for yourself in this high quality video.

52 minutes

A Forties Memory

Return to 1947 and ride behind a Santa Fe triple-headed NMRA steam fan trip over Raton Pass and a double-header on Cajon Pass. The special meets the PA powered "Chief" and the steam powered "Daylight". Ride a D&RGW articulated at Minturn. Narrow Gauge action is featured at Durango, Silverton, Chama, Alamosa, Gunnison, Salida and Marshall Pass. A rare black & white scene shows a Rio Grande Southern Freight meeting a Galloping Goose. From 16mm Color film by Billie Bowen.

24 minutes