To political correctness.....I rebel. Correct, (and maybe even incorrect) model railroading is much more fun.
cooltech
rrinker Hey now - at least we have a FOUR track mainline (ok, now it's down to 3), vs single track and a siding! --Randy
Hey now - at least we have a FOUR track mainline (ok, now it's down to 3), vs single track and a siding!
--Randy
But there's talk about going back to 4.
I thought the show was pretty interesting, but the host seemed kinda clueless about some things for being a conductor. Is CSX sponsoring this show, because it seems weird to me if they are that whole train show would be about NS.
CSX is listed on the History Channel web site as a primary sponsor - but then other episodes will be showing other railroads as well.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
santafe347 rrinker Hey now - at least we have a FOUR track mainline (ok, now it's down to 3), vs single track and a siding! --Randy But there's talk about going back to 4. I thought the show was pretty interesting, but the host seemed kinda clueless about some things for being a conductor. Is CSX sponsoring this show, because it seems weird to me if they are that whole train show would be about NS.
Actually, an EXTREME TRAINS show about UP and BNSF jamming just as many trains over that single track Tehachapi line as go over the 3-track Horseshoe Curve per day might be a really exciting show.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Isn't the next episode on the passenger trains?
Edit: The next episode is on frieght trains. They will ride a freight train from Los Angles to Dallas/Ft.Worth.
So, Tom you may get your wish.
Episode Guide here: http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=60922&display_order=4&mini_id=60798
Scrolling through the episodes, I saw they are doing a episode on the UP 4-8-4 844. This episode premiers on December 9th. I hope to see a cab ride.
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
New Haven I-5 Isn't the next episode on the passenger trains? Edit: The next episode is on frieght trains. They will ride a freight train from Los Angles to Dallas/Ft.Worth. So, Tom you may get your wish. Episode Guide here: http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=60922&display_order=4&mini_id=60798 Scrolling through the episodes, I saw they are doing a episode on the UP 4-8-4 844. This episode premiers on December 9th. I hope to see a cab ride.
Luke--
That will be south and east of Tehachapi, but LA to Dallas should prove interesting. I presume it will be on the old SP 'Sunset Route' to El Paso then the ex T&P mainline into Dallas. UP's done a lot of work on that route, I'll be interested to see how it's progressing. Thanks for the 'heads up.'
It is worth repeating:
markpierce My girlfriend was a bit irritated on the harping on Horseshoe Curve. "It doesn't come close to Tehachapi," she exclaimed.
My girlfriend was a bit irritated on the harping on Horseshoe Curve. "It doesn't come close to Tehachapi," she exclaimed.
Mark
Jeff Wimberly wrote: How many "wow, bang, amazing"s are necessary? - end quote
I'm with Jeff on that. I don't mind the host talking so loudly or simplified explanations, but IMHO this guy is way over the top.
Did you all notice the looks on the faces on the "pusher locomotive's" engineer and conductor as the host was going into one of his "Gosh Batman!" type bursts? Their expressions seemed to state: "This guy must have just fallen off of the goofball truck!".
Not trashing the show, and I do appreciate its potential, but IMHO this host is unintentionally giving trains a "Goofball" slant.
As for the comment from a previous poster indicating that if we complain, the HIstory Channel or the sponsors might not do another train series? I disagree. I think it's a good idea to email this thread to the HIstory Channel. Those producers actually appreciate honest feedback.
I don't know if this will work, but here's the link to submit comments to the History Channel. I already sent them mine:
http://www.history.com/global/feedback/faq.jsp?NetwCode=THC&level_1=nodes_54229&level_2=nodes_54249&level_3=nodes_54386&x=45&y=15#
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Girls,
There are many other channels to watch if you are offended to watch the Extreme Trains. Its a show that is made for the Non rail buff, not like all of YOU that has worked for the Railroads! If ya dont like it dont waste your time and watch it again. Kevin
AntonioFP45As for the comment from a previous poster indicating that if we complain, the HIstory Channel or the sponsors might not do another train series? I disagree. I think it's a good idea to email this thread to the HIstory Channel. Those producers actually appreciate honest feedback.
Maybe if enough people complain to the History Channel, they'll stop making shows with bad hosts, and start making shows about a topic instead of a about a host.
Even though the show is (quite obviously) geared toward non-railfans, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The DVR is set for the series (and the wife will catch hell if she overrides it!).
FWIW, History Channel has a couple of other Train Episodes on Modern Marvels - search for Locomotives, Freight Trains, and Bullet Trains, if you haven't already.
Also, on TV RFD-TV has Trains & Locomotives on...
SC64
I saw this show last night, and I don't think the host is way over the top. He needs to be enthusiastic since the name of the show is called "Extreme Trains". Let's face it, a coal train (or trains in general, for that matter) aren't that exciting for most people. If this show's going to be on a major cable channel, then you need a host that's over the top. The producers were right on.
Just caught this show for the first time last night. Yes, I know it is not for "railfans". Yes, I know the host has to be enthusiastic, but still, I have one word for Matt Brown, the host:
De-cafe!
Seriously, it seems to be a pretty well put together show. My only real complaint is the constant use of hand held camera angles (used to give the feeling that you are "really there"). This can be effective, if not over done. If done too much it just becomes disorienting. I feel this is the case with the episode I watched.
I like the fact that host is, himself, a railroader. I feel this enables him to be sort of a translator between the railroaders and the non-railroader audience - he doesn't end up asking stupid questions and he doesn't (at least in my opinion) end up talking down to the audience.
Just my $.02 worth. I'll be watching for more shows.
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
The second episode seems a little better than the first. The "host" did seem a little toned=down from the first show - I hope I'm just not getting used to him!! Script still a little juvenile, but overall interesting. If they would stop repeating everything they say it would help. My
Second show was pretty good. I like when they showed how the tracks line up on the lift bridge leaving the port in the beginning. Wonder if we could do something like that on our lift bridges to keep the rails lined up??That train sure changed it's identity a bunch of times before it got to Texas. It's a stack train, it's a freight train, it's a stack train, it's a hopper train, it's an auto train...etc...
Along what Lothar said, the use of stock footage bothers me somewhat. At least they could have used stock from the same kind of trains. I thought the host was a little calmer this time too- more reason for him to be talking loud in some shots this time, as opposed to none in the last episode! With any luck, in about a month he'll be tolerable.
Wikious Along what Lothar said, the use of stock footage bothers me somewhat. At least they could have used stock from the same kind of trains.
Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm pretty sure it was lost on their "target" audience though.
I was 50/50 on the first Show ... only was able to watch a few minutes last night ,,, But with your review I will try to watch it this week... Sounds like the second show was better....
This time the host wasn't acting like a little kid on his first train ride. In the first show he was bouncing off the walls like a golf ball teed off in a tile bathroom. This time he was just bouncing.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I didn't get to see the first episode but I enjoyed the second one. I wish the host would calm down just a tad. If he was a little quieter in the second than he was in the first then he must've really been something. I realize he's trying to create enthusiasm to keep people interested but at times he gets juuuuuussst a leeetle bit over the top. I guess that's better though than some fella ridin' along half asleep saying, "this is a train... yawn... they are big trains..this is fun."
Overall though I liked it. I saw things like the 'ditch' going through L.A. that I didn't know about and I didn't know exactly how they got the freight containers from dockside over to the train. The bridge segment was cool too.
Jarrell
Second show was better than first, in terms of the host's delivery. I too enjoyed watching the lift bridge.
I guess I'll have to get to bed earlier the night before it comes on, or turn the volume up higher; I fell asleep during this episode too. I think I will try to watch the next episode.
Last week they replayed it on Sunday night. Just have to check the listing.
DVR'd the second episode and watched it this morning. The host has calmed down a little--actually I'm kinda/sorta liking him. When I heard LA-Dallas intermodal, for some reason I was thinking UP Sunset Route and the old T&P through Texas, but we got BNSF on the Transcon. Not that I mind, mind you, that's one HECKUVA busy steel highway. Enjoyed the Cajon segment and Abo Canyon, but we sure went through Arizona (which for my money has some pretty interesting trackage in itself) really FAST!
And I got a little confused as to how we got to Dallas OFF of the Transcon. Did the train leave it at Amarillo and use the old Fort Worth and Denver line south? Or did we leave it at Clovis NM and head down through Lubbock? Inquiring minds want to know, LOL!
But it was pretty good--though as another poster mentioned, the train kept changing.
It can all be solved in Mathematics...The trains and intermodal equipment he gets to play with are 87 times our Atlas, Kato, Walthers, and Heljan equipment, thus he is having 87 times the fun we do when we run trains!
Alex
I watched 35 minutes of the first show and twenty seconds of the second show. It is good for children. Might get some interested in trains and maybe model railroading.
I would rather watch some of my old train videos instead of watching the clown.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Matt Bown was WAY over the top in this episode. This one was okay, but the 1st one was better.
I liked the part where they changed out the turbo charger.
I thought it was hilarious when he went on about comparing the 70mph BNSF stack train to trains he is used to "back in Maine" as they were all are under 40mph. The host then said, "I've never gone this fast on a train before!!!" Hey Pan Am/Guilford/B&M...that's a shot!
Of course, we could mention the 79mph Amtrak Downeaster service from Boston to Portland, ME. And if the heartattack host thinks 70mph is "Gee-whiz!", wait 'till he tries 150mph on the Acela.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************