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Anyone Else Watch "Trains and Locomotives" on TV?

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  • Member since
    November 2018
  • From: Just another small town in Ohio
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Anyone Else Watch "Trains and Locomotives" on TV?
Posted by Erie1951 on Saturday, October 3, 2020 10:48 AM

Here in Ohio, our cable company includes the RFD Channel that runs the program. Sometimes it features modern diesel railroad action, railroad museums, but my favorite is the vintage steam set in the steam era. If you do watch it, what are your favorites?

Russ

Modeling the early '50s Erie in Paterson, NJ.  Here's the link to my railroad postcard collection: https://railroadpostcards.blogspot.com/

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, October 3, 2020 10:57 AM

The only time I can see the RFD channel is when I am travelling, and the hotel has it on the channel guide.

Then it is kind of neat to see a train based TV show, and if I catch it at the right time, I will watch it.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, October 3, 2020 11:00 AM

We have Spectrum cable, and I would have to "upgrade" our current plan to get RFD.

Although it sounds interesting.

Mike.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, October 3, 2020 11:13 AM

mbinsewi
We have Spectrum cable, and I would have to "upgrade" our current plan to get RFD.

I wouldn't upgrade for RFD. From my experience with the channel it seems to show Hee-Haw reruns most of the time.

The train shows are not much more than just watching a train go by with very little information or narration.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by jjdamnit on Saturday, October 3, 2020 11:13 AM

Hello All,

We too get RFD TV. On Mondays, it's train TV day!

At 1:30 pm they show Toy Trains and then at 3:00 pm it's Trains & Locomotives.

I'm a diesel guy so the steam segments don't particularly interest me. 

That being said, there was a steam segment that was centered around switching that held my interest.

Another favorite was a segment about the Pennsylvania GG1s. Watching them at speed was captivating. 

The Toy Trains show is about Lionel and tinplate in O gauge.

I'm an HO modeler but seeing some of these layouts with scenes shoehorned in and the speeds at which the trains run is interesting.

The Smithsonian channel; on Sunday nights, used to air a program called Mighty Trains. This was a great prelude to train TV Mondays. They still air re-runs, in blocks of programs. As they say, "Check your local listings".  

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, October 3, 2020 11:20 AM

SeeYou190
I wouldn't upgrade for RFD. From my experience with the channel it seems to show Hee-Haw reruns most of the time.

Thanks Kevin, wasn't planning on it anyway.  We don't watch much TV.  We have the lowest cost basic plan that we can get.

Happy watching to those that can get it.

Mike.

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Saturday, October 3, 2020 11:29 AM

Hello All,

SeeYou190
The train shows are not much more than just watching a train go by with very little information or narration.

Not so with this program.

Even when using old stock footage there is plenty of narration and maps that show the lines featured and specific locations.

mbinsewi
Happy watching to those that can get it.

Most of these aired programs are actually videos produced by Herron Rail Video that can be purchased and watched at your leisure.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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  • From: Central Vermont
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Posted by cowman on Saturday, October 3, 2020 5:42 PM

If I  had posed the question, my coments would  have been an echo of what Erie1951 wrote.  I prefer the vintage steam footage, despite lack of color.  The tourist trains run by steam are OK too.  Yes, the GG-1's are fascinating tooo. I did watch one (for awhile) of a diesel train going over the kaydee (sp) wye, long train took forever.  If that had been my introduction to the show I probably would have lost interest fast.  Our system has RFD, not sure if it's an extra level, as wife is in charge there.  I miss T&L because 5:00 I'm often still working outside in the fields,, but I do try.  I doubt I'd pay extra just for the show though.

As an aside, I think their coverage of the Rose Parade is second to none.

Enjoy it if you can get it, 

Richard

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Posted by Colorado Ray on Saturday, October 3, 2020 9:02 PM

RFD is great network.  What ever package I have with Direct TV includes it.  Now that we have our farm, it's double good with Tractors and Trains!  The Trains and Locomotives show has some great vintage footage.  

Ray

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  • From: Hilliard, Ohio
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Posted by chatanuga on Sunday, October 4, 2020 2:25 PM

I've watched the show from time to time depending on the subject.  It's a nice break from my usual TV lineup, and I get to see some shows/videos that I might not normally watch.

Kevin

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Posted by Wolf359 on Sunday, October 4, 2020 3:06 PM

That's my favorite show! I like it all, but the episodes that feature steam are my favorites.

  • Member since
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  • From: Just another small town in Ohio
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Posted by Erie1951 on Saturday, October 17, 2020 11:43 AM

Thanks for sharing your views, Guys. The latest one that I have recorded is about a couple of restored steam locos that I'll have to watch sometime soon.

Russ

Modeling the early '50s Erie in Paterson, NJ.  Here's the link to my railroad postcard collection: https://railroadpostcards.blogspot.com/

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Posted by angelob6660 on Saturday, October 17, 2020 8:04 PM

I try to watch that show when it comes on. Since I haven't watched an episode in over 5 years. 

My mom also liked the channel when they showed Quilt in a Day until it was replaced with another program.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by York1 on Saturday, October 17, 2020 8:55 PM

Our Spectrum has RFD and The Cowboy Channel.  Both are popular out here on the plains.

I watched Toy Trains for quite a while.  It was interesting, but there were a limited number of programs, and so it repeated a lot.

I like the Trains and Locomotives, but I haven't seen it in a while.  I'll have to tune in again.

I also like Mighty Trains.  They have most of those On Demand, where I watch them.

I wonder how a program like Toy Trains would succeed if it was about HO and N Scale layout?

York1 John       

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