Our local P.B.S. station was on, as well as a promo for a show "Tracks Ahead" was shown. I had never seen the program mentioned, but curiosity got the 'railfan' in me interested. The program was a series of vignettes two were on an outdoor rr in a German Theme park, and featured a large outdoor presentation of a german narrow gauge rr in LGB gauge; next was a garden rr in Kentucky.
The program host, Spencer Christian, mentioned in his introduction that the program was "... in its' 'twenty-fifth year..." I 'surfed' through the Model Railroader site and saw asingle promo for a video of "Tracks Ahead" and mention that was made of its Season Nine origin.
The PBS video had included some source advertising for "MRVP" and Model Railroader Magazine . as well as Kalmbach Publishing Co. Admittedly, I am not a consistant viewer of PBS, but I think I would be interested to see some more of the "Tracks Ahead" program, if some kind of schedule was published, so if could be searched for.
Has anyone else see the program? Is it worth looking for? Just askin'.
Normally, these things would be heavily promoted in the Kalmbach Magazines and its web sites ( witness the 'pop-ups- in the Forum and Newswire that seem to be a constant agravation). As a longtime magazine reader and poster, How in the world had I missed this video ? Let alone they had been around for some twenty-five years.
A case of DVDs for the entire 25 seasons of Tracks Ahead or a case of Flash Drives with Quicktime videos of the entire 25 seasons of Track Ahead is what Kalmbach could offer to interested viewers.
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samfp1943 Our local P.B.S. station was on, as well as a promo for a show "Tracks Ahead" was shown. I had never seen the program mentioned, but curiosity got the 'railfan' in me interested. The program was a series of vignettes two were on an outdoor rr in a German Theme park, and featured a large outdoor presentation of a german narrow gauge rr in LGB gauge; next was a garden rr in Kentucky. The program host, Spencer Christian, mentioned in his introduction that the program was "... in its' 'twenty-fifth year..." I 'surfed' through the Model Railroader site and saw asingle promo for a video of "Tracks Ahead" and mention that was made of its Season Nine origin. The PBS video had included some source advertising for "MRVP" and Model Railroader Magazine . as well as Kalmbach Publishing Co. Admittedly, I am not a consistant viewer of PBS, but I think I would be interested to see some more of the "Tracks Ahead" program, if some kind of schedule was published, so if could be searched for. Has anyone else see the program? Is it worth looking for? Just askin'. Normally, these things would be heavily promoted in the Kalmbach Magazines and its web sites ( witness the 'pop-ups- in the Forum and Newswire that seem to be a constant agravation). As a longtime magazine reader and poster, How in the world had I missed this video ? Let alone they had been around for some twenty-five years.
I've seen it off and on over the years. It is hard to know when it is on. Some of the shows I did see were of interest, some not so much, same as much TV. Kalmbach could promote (on here) better.
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDjxhKJxLspP93wqFjXZ7ng/search?query=tracks+ahead
schlimm samfp1943 Our local P.B.S. station was on, as well as a promo for a show "Tracks Ahead" was shown. I had never seen the program mentioned, but curiosity got the 'railfan' in me interested. The program was a series of vignettes two were on an outdoor rr in a German Theme park, and featured a large outdoor presentation of a german narrow gauge rr in LGB gauge; next was a garden rr in Kentucky. The program host, Spencer Christian, mentioned in his introduction that the program was "... in its' 'twenty-fifth year..." I 'surfed' through the Model Railroader site and saw asingle promo for a video of "Tracks Ahead" and mention that was made of its Season Nine origin. The PBS video had included some source advertising for "MRVP" and Model Railroader Magazine . as well as Kalmbach Publishing Co. Admittedly, I am not a consistant viewer of PBS, but I think I would be interested to see some more of the "Tracks Ahead" program, if some kind of schedule was published, so if could be searched for. Has anyone else see the program? Is it worth looking for? Just askin'. Normally, these things would be heavily promoted in the Kalmbach Magazines and its web sites ( witness the 'pop-ups- in the Forum and Newswire that seem to be a constant agravation). As a longtime magazine reader and poster, How in the world had I missed this video ? Let alone they had been around for some twenty-five years. I've seen it off and on over the years. It is hard to know when it is on. Some of the shows I did see were of interest, some not so much, same as much TV. Kalmbach could promote (on here) better.
Here is the Official PBS site for the Program;
http://www.tracksahead.net/
I was under the impression that the Program was no longer in production but according to the Website there were new episodes that have aired in 2015.
Although the show premiered in 1990 only 9 full seasons have been produced in the last 25 years..
The website mentions DVD's being available but has no information on how to order.
Because of PBS's involvement (and presumably,primary ownership of rights) Kalmbach may not be able to market the program directly.
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Some DVDs are available from Milwaukee Public TV and Historic Rails (search for Tracks Ahead).
As for being hard to find airing on public TV, I suspect that the rights holders may be asking too much. PBS stations already pay a lot for current programs, and in some cases a local affiliate has had to drop off and go independent.
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I've seen "Tracks Ahead" shows on and off ever since it debuted in 1990. It was always very enjoyable and I was amazed at how much they packed into a half-hour show. It's not on our local PBS station so I wasn't aware it was in production anymore.
I had not seen it for years and then it popped up recently on our local PBS outlet here in Phoenix.
John Timm
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Thanks, Balt for sharing that video. I checked with the PBS station here and was told that they use the program as sort of a 'slot filler' from time to time. That would tend to make it impossible to follow as a viewer. I am going to check out some of the Internet links posted in this Thread.. My thanks to all, for the information.
When I was living over in Southeatern Kansas, I used to see a program that was presented on our cable system on railroads, both National, and International.
It was usually presented on the local ' Farm and Ranch Channel' most of the time it was either very early on a Saturday or Sunday. Again, another program used as a 'filler' on the local cable provider's network. I may be mistaken, but I think that Kalmbach was also invoved in that one, as well? I cannot even remember the name of that program now.
Early on the show was shown in prime time on my local PBS station. Then it was on Saturday mornings some times. I had not seen it for a while, but now it is on Thurs at 7:30. I probably never would have found it, if I didn't get the monthly program guide from my local PBS station after an appropriate annual donation.
Made a nice change from the usual line up of cooking shows
Kevin
Check out MRVP. They have many of the season 9 episodes online.
Yes I used to watch it on pbs out of morgantown WV it's a great show with a great host.
YOU MIGHT TRY PENTREX. THEY USE TO HAVE MANY OF THE EPISODES.
ROCKING-ROBERT
Many of the episodes are available on YouTube.
Yes, Sir! Thanks, BaltACD;
Had found them, and have enjoyed a couple already!
I have a DirecTV sunscription to it.
Some segments are interesting to me, others are not, but this is normal for this type of program.
I think it's worthwhile to at least watch it once to get a feel for it.
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