Rocky Mountain Railroad Club Collection

Steam Over Sherman

Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boys were the largest steam locomotives ever built and you’ll see them in regular service as they pound westward out of Cheyenne, Wyoming bound for Sherman Hill!

The 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3959 puts on a grand show as we pace this sister engine of Union Pacific’s present day excursion engine 3985. At trackside, watch her drivers slip as the giant steam engine slowly moves by. The huge 3-cylinder 4-12-2 9000’s are there along with the 4-8-4 800’s...sister engines of another famous excursion steamer of today, #844.

First generation E8’s put in an appearance as they lead the Union Pacific’s "City of Los Angeles", City of San Francisco" and the "Overland Limited" over Sherman Hill...sometimes with steam helpers! We see the unusual Veranda Turbine and then we are treated to a tour of the Cheyenne yard in 1954 with steam galore.

This 50’s classic was filmed in 16 mm color from July 1951 to September 1956 and is narrated by the cinematographer himself, Irv August.

54 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

Rio Grande of the Rockies

In the mid 50’s motive power on the Denver & Rio Grande Western consisted of a fascinating mixture of huge standard gauge steam engines, first generation diesels and narrow gauge steam engines...some built before the turn of the century. With his love of the steam engine, Irving E. August documented these glory days on the D&RGW in high quality 16mm color film. Mr. August donated these rare films to the ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD CLUB and by special arrangement, WB Video is honored to make these unique images available to all.

In this program, you will experience the massive Standard Gauge 3600 2-8-8-2’s blasting up fabled Tennessee Pass, see workhorse F-9 diesel power assist 3600’s up to the Moffat Tunnel and witness the legendary California Zephyr with PA diesels.

Narrow Gauge operations include long two-engine gondola trains on the Monarch Branch with its unique switchback. K-27 #453, K-28 #473 and K-37 #497 are seen in the Durango yard and the "Silverton Mixed" leaves with 3 coaches, a caboose and business cars B-2 and B-7...still in Pullman Green paint. Near Montrose #318, a diminutive 2-8-0 hurries by with a freight and at Gunnison, #268 is just in from the last run on the Sapinero Branch. K-36 #487 plows through deep snow with a flanger-ore train from Gunnison to Crested Butte. Then you are on board the last train over Marshall Pass with #483 and #489.

Irv August narrates his own story of those wonderful days on the D&RGW.

60 minutes

Silver Rails and Golden Memories

A must for every steam fan...this tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD CLUB. The program was produced in 1988 from excellent 16mm films taken by Irving E. August. 1952 to 1962 of steam excursions, both standard and narrow gauge and sponsored by the ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD CLUB. This organization is dedicated to preserving the history of railroading and through these excursions, they became a part of history themselves.

Photographer Irving E. August introduces the program and narration is by Rege Cordic. The narrative is written by Dave Gross.

D&RGW NARROW GAUGE

• Alamosa to Durango - May 31, 1952
• Durango to Alamosa - June 3, 1956
• Alamosa to Farmington - June 1, 1957
• Alamosa to Silverton - Memorial Day, 1961

GREAT WESTERN / COLORADO & SOUTHERN

• Denver to Eaton - July 27, 1958
• Denver to Eaton - October 2, 1960
• Denver to Eaton - September 10, 1961

COLORADO & SOUTHERN

• CB&Q Branch to Lyons - August 24, 1958
• Owl Canyon Branch - July 19, 1959
• Denver to Lyons - October 25, 1959
• Denver to Lyons - July 22, 1962
• Denver to Trinidad - December 16, 1962

MANITOU & PIKES PEAK RAILWAY

• Last steam run on Pikes Peak - September 7, 1958
• Plus spectacular diesel powered Rotary clearing snow to summit of Pikes Peak.

UNION PACIFIC #844

• Cheyenne to Laramie - November 20,1960

72 minutes