dirtyd79 To be honest I really don't find the host all that annoying. In his defense there's a good chance he acts the way he does because he probably has some producer or something in his ear feeding him directions and in the biz when the producer tells you to jump you don't say "How high?" you make like a kangaroo and be the bouncinest sonofagun that ever bounced.
To be honest I really don't find the host all that annoying. In his defense there's a good chance he acts the way he does because he probably has some producer or something in his ear feeding him directions and in the biz when the producer tells you to jump you don't say "How high?" you make like a kangaroo and be the bouncinest sonofagun that ever bounced.
Matt's good when he's "on script". He explains things well. It's the Batman like BOOM! SPLAT! BAMS! that get annoying. But this latest show seemed to have a lot less of that.I WILL say I have definitely learned a few new things from each episode.
Dan The Man That is such a great show, to bad I missed the first one about coal trains.
That is such a great show, to bad I missed the first one about coal trains.
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
Last nights episode was very good. I live along the northeast corridor so there are many opportunities to see the Acela. Guess I should do some photo's as it crosses the Delaware river from Morrisvile Pa. to Trenton N.J. (or vica versa).
cooltech
Artrek- Pan Am- ConductorWell lets see I may have a biased opinion buuuut here it goes anyways. 1. The 79mph downeaster as you say only applies to passenger trains not the freight trains he is the conductor of. The freight trains can only operate at the most of 40mph with a telematry receiver (which is rare enough) and thats only down past Portland Maine. And an afterthought is that he and I both operate where 25mph is fast for the condition of the tracks and the engines. 2. I head multiple times that he is loud and blah blah blah... Well you kinda have to be when all they have is that stupid mike hovering over your head and not the mike that is hidden under the collar of your shirt. If any of the brainiacs that are complaining about it noticed when he was inside he was normal voiced not yelling over the engines. 3. I heard alot of guff about the dialog... Have any of you people heard of editing? You say something infront of the camera (Kidding or not) and the editors can and will put it in whether you were joking or not. Not only that they can put it in wherever they want to. So if he said "choo-choo" once in a cut to make people laugh (Which I know is beyond most people, but he is really funny in real life) then they would put in the show to attract a audience that know nothing of railroading. And in conclusion you can slam me if you want but I needed you all to know those little fact that you either overlooked or were to bent on flaming something to investigate. Oh and in all the engines it says "Dynamic brake disabled" even though there wern't any in them when the company bought them before I was born.
Per the third episode, to me it was as I've said before - a decent enough show, but the host is a bit much, due no doubt to the "extreme" nature of the show's title. I had the benefit to read all of these posts before watching it this evening, and I have to say he didnt' seem any different. Blame the editors if you wish, but he's the one moving his hands in a "wham - pow" fashion all of the time (and I don't mind hands moving while you speak - I'm Italian), it was clearly more than just an editing slip. If that's the TV persona they've chosen for him, well fine, but it would be foolish to think that he hasn't signed on to it.
I'm not looking to flame or out research the show. I'm 79% satisfied with the content so far, I just wish that the camera angles, cuts, speed, and the host himself as he's portrayed were backed off a notch or two.
Per the High Speed Trains of North America, I appreciated how they described the limitations to real speed. I've always wondered why the trains were not faster.
Hell, I live two hours North of Boston, and I can get to Baltimore in 8 hours by car. 7 hours from Boston to DC by train is not as high speed as I'd like to see.
Cheers
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
I really think that all of you wantabee Railroaders should tune in to thses shows and watch them. Ya might learn something that you can really pass off to the rest of us. Kevin
I liked this episode.
SInce I grew up along the NEC and haven't been back there is about 20 years, it brought back a lot of memories.
Matt seems to have calmed down a little (or maybe I just didn't notice him being "over the top" so much because my wife kept say things like "Oohhh! Remember when we took the train to Philly?" or "Ohhh! There's Union Station in D.C.!")
Can't wait till next week!
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I really liked this chapter of Extreme Trains, which covered the Acela. I learned a lot about the Boston to Washington route and some surprising technical details about the train itself. I probably will video the Acela since the Northeast Corridor, Menlo Park station is not too far from my home. It should be a very short tape.
The programs are certainly getting better. I am glad that I am recording each episode the same as I did with “Trains Unlimited”. The only one I missed of “Trains Unlimited” was the “Circus Train”.
It is almost impossible to get all the “Trains Unlimited” series now since the History Channel does not offer all of them for sale and what they do offer costs $24.95 a program. At least the last time I checked this was true.
History Channel is already selling the DVD of “Extreme Trains” for $24.95.
I am looking forward to seeing and recording the whole series.
Doc
When is the show on?
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Ibflattop I really think that all of you wantabee Railroaders should tune in to thses shows and watch them. Ya might learn something that you can really pass off to the rest of us. Kevin
Ah,there lays the trap..
If these folk went railroadin' they would find out in a hurry how very little they really know..It was a real eye opener for a certain hot shot modeler/railfan back in '66 when he went to work on the PRR...Oh how he was humbled on his first training day..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Yes Indeed Larry! The same here when I went to work for NS back in 96............ Kevin
ns3010When is the show on?
10PM EST Tuesday evenings. Rerun later that night.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
All 3 are on saturday afternoon back to back.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
davefinger YA I'LL PROBABLY WATCH THE NEXT ONE AND: GRIT MY TEETH... HAVE A COUPLE OF MOLSONS ICED TO: CALM ME DOWN.
Speaking of gritting my teeth, this ain't a TV news script. Unlatch that CAPS LOCK!
Scarpia decent enough show, but the host is a bit much, due no doubt to the "extreme" nature of the show's title. I had the benefit to read all of these posts before watching it this evening, and I have to say he didnt' seem any different. Blame the editors if you wish, but he's the one moving his hands in a "wham - pow" fashion all of the time (and I don't mind hands moving while you speak - I'm Italian), it was clearly more than just an editing slip. If that's the TV persona they've chosen for him, well fine, but it would be foolish to think that he hasn't signed on to it.
After looking over the complaint on this thread and noting the people who claim this whacked-out, goofy talent, camera work, and editing is needed for such a non-mainstream topic, I have three words for you:
The Military Channel.
It runs dozens, even hundreds of documentaries about the abilities and failings of various types of tanks, or the merits of the Avenger fighter-bomber vs. the Dauntless, or the history of obscure WWII battles,but on none of these shows do I hear a crazy, goofy host. (Or see weird camera angles, for that matter.) The docs are well shot, packed with interesting information, and appeal to grown-ups. Just because the subject has a limited appeal and requires some background to understand, doesn't mean they dumb it down.
Perhaps selling the show as being about "extreme" trains is the problem. "Extreme" in this context, has no clear definition except, possibly, "exciting."
But it is a little insulting that the subject we love so much is seen as being so boring by these poducers that they have to liven it up like this, just to make it palatble enough for TV.
Midnight RailroaderThe Military Channel. It runs dozens, even hundreds of documentaries about the abilities and failings of various types of tanks, or the merits of the Avenger fighter-bomber vs. the Dauntless, or the history of obscure WWII battles,but on none of these shows do I hear a crazy, goofy host. (Or see weird camera angles, for that matter.) The docs are well shot, packed with interesting information, and appeal to grown-ups. Just because the subject has a limited appeal and requires some background to understand, doesn't mean they dumb it down.
-Morgan
oboy . . . chance to catch up on episode I missed now.
I know, its a little bit much in its approach, but there's still some scenery and related information that is ...
informative.
And then afterwhile, some more football.
It's on right now if you missed it. Sat. 3:00pm Central time.
Well I hope tonights episode will be good, there talking about the Union Pacific 844.
Last weeks was good. I didn't realize EVERY reefer car had it's own diesel generator. I would think wheel driven generators and battery banks would be more efficient.
Now THAT was a cool episode! I'll cut Matt some slack for acting goofy around the 844. I probably would have too. I'm kind of surprised they made no mention of the DD 40X at all and didn't really even show it till the end.
Good nuke train show on right now.
I enjoyed tonights show,but yeah that guy is overly excitable.
Ibeamlicker I enjoyed tonights show,but yeah that guy is overly excitable.
Don't know about you but,if I was going to ride in 844's cab I would be bursting with excitement..LOL!
That was a better episode, but I wish they could hold the bloody camera level. I know it's a show for the general public, but there's exciting camera work, and then there's just plain annoying. Leave the camera on 844 for more than 2.25 seconds, and let her do the talking. She's extreme enough.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
BRAKIE Ibeamlicker I enjoyed tonights show,but yeah that guy is overly excitable. Don't know about you but,if I was going to ride in 844's cab I would be bursting with excitement..LOL!
I noticed he walked up to the one guy with the tape recorder and yelled "What are ya gonna use that recording for?" The guy should have replied "Nothing now that you yelled into the mic and ruined it!"
Watched it & the Glow Train that followed (except for Jay Leno's monologue). matt is getting easier to take, and I loved the UP steam!!!
I loved it, Matt was a better host this time.
The segment on UP's 844 was GREAT!!!
WOW!!! I'd love to ride on that train!!!
TheK4Kid
The host is still annoying..and I am equally amazed that the dd40 got no attention whatsoever..it's just as important as the 844 to most people..