Many thanks to Kalmbach Publishing for sending me a new DVD series today...especially since it has been a year since my subscription ran out...
The DVD was received as a cold open, as I had no idea of the series. After fumbling around my computer was able to play the video with ease.
I was especially proud of Trains to discover that the content used is originally the well-produced and researched History Channel "Coal Train" from the "Extreme Trains" program of several years ago.
Yes, the MC is the conductor from Pan-Am Railways, serious when necessary and as an enthusiastic railfans as all railfans can be...
The material is written to give the public an inside look at what railroading is and does. There was only one year of "Extreme Trains" and you cannot tell me that they covered everything in that short time!
If you have ideas for a show like a subject not mentioned yet, feel free to ask! It is entirely possible for the series to be revived, and the latest venture of Norfolk Southern's steam revival is just one of the rides they may visit!
CSXT sponsored the original series and I am sure they would continue as a sponsor, possibly even featuring a subject.
Thanks again to Trains and Kalmbach Publishing for reviving this series that I much enjoy and am planning to subscribe to...without all the commercials of regular television indeed!
On the other hand, would you rather watch Swamp People or Axe-Men?
Allen Jenkins/"backyard"
Cookeville, Tennessee
Actually, I was disappointed that the video was from the tv series. I was hoping for original content. But at least the price is reasonable.
Reasonable? You can get the full tv series from Amazon for $14.
I believe this said $12.95 for the first (the one they sent without me asking) and $19.95 thereafter. I was also disappointed that they simply recycled the tv show.
Taking in the factor of cost to make such a video...
It has been so long since I saw Coal Train that I saw things I had not seen before!
Finding out that the film was a cable TV production answers some questions. It seemed like the scenes jumped around a bit, like it was made to hold the attention of people with a quick remote who had a hundred channels to choose from. While I appreciate that commercial TV has paid some attention to RRs, I prefer the more typical railfan videos that give you time to take-in the scenes.
pete7919 Reasonable? You can get the full tv series from Amazon for $14. I believe this said $12.95 for the first (the one they sent without me asking) and $19.95 thereafter. I was also disappointed that they simply recycled the tv show.
I also was disappointed in that it was just a recycled tv show (and that host is so annoying with his over-the-top with his enthusiasm). I also did not like the style of photography, with all of the weird angles and camera movement (of course, I'm old; I understand the younger folks like that style).
Almost a year ago, I had received a similar video series from Model Railroader called Dream, Plan, etc ..
I had subscribed to that series because I enjoy seeing other model railroader's layouts. Unfortunately, I have been around a long time and I have seen most, if not all, of the TV- related PBS shows like Tracks Ahead, plus many more. As I got the DVDs I started noticing that the videos on layouts were all OLD material from other shows broadcast on TV. When I contacted Kalmbach, and asked if they had any ORIGINAL material for layouts, I was that the cost for creating NEW layout tours was prhibitive and they had no plans to do so.
Nuff said. In this economy, I can understand not doing that. The other side of that same coin is to make sure the folks you charge premium prices for recycled, and VERY dated material are made aware of that fact by posting the ORIGINAL source in readable print on the cover, front or rear.
All PBS and commercial TV shows can be purchased at more reasonable prices on the web or even watched online on the channel's website. I appreciate the fact Kalmbach is trying to get material out there but not at those prices for something I watched on commercial TV for free.. (If you record it, you can skip the commercials)
I will not purchase any video that has recycled material when it is available from the original source. How about some NEW material or at least some material on CLASSIC TRAINS.
At least Swamp People or Axe Men is original content. RFDTV has fantastic Railroad videos on their show called Trains and Locomotives. A mix of classic videos and modern videos from various producers. Most cable and satellite networks carry it. They also have shows on Model Railroading.
Respectfully,
Nick Kulp
Shermans Dale, Pa.
Nick, Welcome to Trains.com
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
I think the comments on the PanAm conductor should be limited to compliments. I have seen most all the railfan websites put the good 'ole boy down and I truely believe that is why there was only one season. I cannot believe people that would down a person because of their personality...look past that and you may be quite entertained!
I think $12, $14, or $19 for these programs is reasonable considering the average price is about $30 for quality dialogue, sound and video today.
Railfan videos are about all there is in my video tape and dvd collections. It is convienient to disparage and bootleg, however you can't beat the original for quality. And one day they may not be around.
Even burning a KCS SD40 down for scrap value is better than nothing...
RFDTV is still not available from Charter, so I have missed those programs but I am glad folks enjoy the series.
I collected "Freight Train" and "Oil Tankers" from Modern Marvels, because the content was made available directly from the production company...that's my way of voting for more of the type of stuff I wish to see.
Give to Get!
Yea, the fast-forward freight train could be run at speed for me...they could have filled the rest of the hour if they put that in.
So...how many catfish needs to be noodled before it gets old...?
I worked for the Asplundh Tree Expert Company for years and cannot stand to watch people violate safety regulations, needlessly getting hurt...
IRT needs either a punch in the jaw or their mouths washed out with soap...or both, whichever comes first...
No disrespect intended.
My comment about IRT and Swamp people were only a comment about ORIGINAL CONTENT in programming. My brother was a professional truck driver for 40 years and his safety record was spotless. I too do not tolerate the "escapades" by those shows as "good entertainment" . That type of programming is getting pretty scarce.
Although, I am not a fan of today's railroading, Extreme Trains was watched and enjoyed. Recording programming for personal enjoyment later without commercial interruption is not piracy or copywrite infringement. Recording to distribute without paying royalties is. After the program was over, the media was reused. If it is a good show, I purchase it for my library.
This question really dates me, but:
Can anyone remember back when the History Channel was full of programming about historical subjects?
Yes, I know, it's silly to ask.
My wife used to call the History Channel, the Hitler Channel.
Now it is all on the Military Channel while the History Channel is consumed by Ice Road Truckers, Modern Marvels, Swamp People, etc.
Rich
Alton Junction
Allen Jenkins I think the comments on the PanAm conductor should be limited to compliments. I have seen most all the railfan websites put the good 'ole boy down and I truely believe that is why there was only one season. I cannot believe people that would down a person because of their personality...look past that and you may be quite entertained!
Agree, gealousy, he got up close and personal with railroading where the rest of us would be arrested for tresspassing. Glad to see a series showing us those things.
Also, I'd bet that most of the people who put the 'ole boy down would trade spots with him in a heart beat. If they did Imagine in their excitement trying to entertain while hiding the wet spot on the front of their pants. I read once on the History Channel web site that a second season was to be in the works, anyone have an update?
I can. I saw past the dude and caught too short a view of a lot of railroading I would like to see more of.
CSXT thought so much of it, they sponsored the series regardless of the focus on other competing Class I's
Just got home off the road and found the aforementioned dvd on the kitchen table. After reading this thread, I'm not even going to open it. The series was good the first time around but not worth watching again, in my view anyway. Not that it was bad, just not my cup of tea. It was good to see "real" railroading presented to the gen. public in a way it was easy to understand and keep their attention.
Tim
I am send my tape back on Monday.
There is a lot of extreme in this DVD but sense, safety, accuracy, intellegence, information, and non value are the extremes. It is an awful represntation of railroading and to what true railfans are and are interested in. I am not sending my copy back, however, but breaking it in two and putting in the recycling to keep anyone from seeing it. Kalmbach should be ashamed of themselves for putting their name on it. I sure hope that neither Trains nor Classic Trains are planning to take up an editorial philosophy that even approaches this nonsense!
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
Mr. RidewithmeHenry, Thanks for supporting Trains by purchasing the DVD. Though some disagree with the sense, safety, accuracy, intelligence of the video, it is makes sense that the most important aspect of this series produced by the Arts & Entertainment media corporation is to make today's extreme railroading part of the minds of the general public, especially when approaching the crossbucks of a crossing at grade warning the motoring public of imminent danger.
I am sure you will agree that anyone even asking the first question posed about the information given in the DVD has the potential of becoming a railfan, something that you and I look for every day.
That you feature a "Railfan Experience" certainly interests me, I would enjoy a tour of the Big Apple if possible some day.
It is the occurrence of this series, warmed over as it is, that brought the knowledge of your business to my PC.
Thank You,
Allen/backyard
Cookeville, TN
My point is that it is so unreal, lacks integrity and honesty and doesn't portray railroading in positive way as a fan experience nor as a career. The over zealousness of the fan lacks sincerety and one doubts whether he has really had any rail experiences not matter what he claims. It does not do railroading, railfaning, A&E, Kalmbach, or anybody else any favors. I also look at this as being in the news and entertainment business for the better part of 50 years. Anyone with intellegence wouldn't become a railfan based on this presentation and anyone who would become a railfan based on this would be trouble for the rest of us.
There is real drama, real excitement, real science, real power, real experience moving coal from Green County to Strawberry Ridge Power plant which would be both informative and entertaining to see on DVD. Here I was looking for Mel Blanc to pop out from one of the coal hoppers and do his Bugs Bunny "that's all folks" close!
As for my Ride With Me Henry" railfan experiences, it is extreme: extremely long days for sure, up as early at 3:30 or 4AM, driving up to 150 miles to ride up to 300 miles on commuter trains, another 8-nt0 150 mile drive home and the pillow maybe 18 or more hours later. Extremely crazy for sure, but we find it fun and relazing, actually seeing and experiencing railroad people and trains as they really work and operate. I do hope some day when you are east, we can meet up and enjoy the day riding for fun.
'
Thanks for your reply, I'll be looking for your cab ride from the loader in Green County to the Strawberry Ridge power generator someday. If you can swing the same ride in the pusher, that would do nicely.
Also, please secure the camera in place to make viewing easier. Don't forget to wear your head, eye, foot and ear protection, and wear a safety vest. A pair of leather palm work gloves would also help you.
Thank you,
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