Search - American Steam (4pc) on DVD

Excellent Film Footage Of The Twilight Of Steam In The USA

Will Allen III | Raleigh, NC United States | 11/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I ordered this DVD set primarily for my young son who knows steam trains only through pictures and is passionate about trains in general. I did not expect to like it myself. Imagine my surprise when I found the color film footage (from various amateur but dedicated sources) to be in excellent shape, in good focus, and fascinating to watch. Each disc is a compilation of many different steam locomotives, including those still in regular service during the 1950s and 60s. (In the U.S., steam engines were completely replaced by diesels by about 1962, a process that began in the late 1930s.) Locomotives featured range from Union Pacific "Big Boys", at 1.25 million pounds the largest steam engines ever built, running on the praire in Wyoming, to N&W articulateds in Virginia, to steam fan trips of the 50s and 60s. On the disc titled "Steam Giants Across America," some fantastic modern film footage from the 1990s depicts the last remaining articulated N&W engine running on a fan trip in South Georgia and UP fan trips through the Feather River Canyon using their last two big steam locomotives. I highly recommend this set to anyone who is even mildly interested in the steam era of railroading in America. Each disc contains 40-60 minutes, and is a bargain at the price."

5 stars for the footage, 3 stars for the DVDs

g0305780 | Singapore | 02/27/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong, this DVD set is awesome for railroad fans!!!!
But this DVD set only presents the footages as they are. There is no detailed introduction to each of the locomotives appeared in the DVDs. I think it'll be much more fun if detailed narration is available.
5 stars for the footage.
3 stars for the DVD set."