Good but...
S. Vasquez | Norwalk, CT United States | 03/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As I reconsider the reasonable price and great packaging, maybe I should rank this item higher - maybe 4.5? (but cant figure to how to change the star rating) Bought this 5 disc set for my toddler who is steam train crazed right now because I was tired of watching the one Railway Journeys show we had on Tivo over and over and over and over and over...
A few of the videos in this collection do look like they are the old VHS versions in quality (I was looking for the tracking option on my DVD remote for a minute!!!) but if you are a railfan or have a child who is nuts for trains like mine is right now, there IS a TON of wonderful chugging, puffing, billowing steam and smoke footage in this collection. And if you can get past the poor sound quality on parts of most of the discs you might even be able to hear what the narrator is saying a good part of the time and you'll be able to learn some historical steam train info too!
I would rate this collection higher for its overall content and reasonable price but the sound quality and some of the scratchy old video make me want to lower my rating. NOTE: MY child does not care one bit about any of the stuff I am finding fault with. This collection is by far his FAVORITE group of dvds to watch! Our many Wiggles and even (gasp!) Thomas the Tank Engine dvds are now gathering dust!!
DOH! and forgot to tell you about the great metal case the set comes in, and the enclosed booklet with images and info from the dvds! My child likes the metal box with the raised image of the Steam Train on it almost as much as he likes watching the dvds. I'm sure the box will eventually be a home for some of his toy cars or trains. And he asks for the "book" to take in the car to "read" on the way to daycare in the mornings!
Overall I am happy with this Amazon purchase - and free shipping was an added bonus that helped keep it reasonably priced.
"
Enjoy the "AGE OF STEAM" once again!! 10 hours of OUTSTANDIN
forrie lowell | 12/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 5 DVD disc collection covers completely the age of Steam. Rare footage of these grand iron horses before their demise to Diesel in the early 1950's. Thank goodness we still have the TOURIST STEAM RAILROADS around America!!
Sit back and enjoy these magnificent iron beasts pulling their heavy loads, puffing heavily as they move through the beautiful panoramic landscapes. This is definitely a collectors set!!!
Bottomline: Disc 1 covers Cass and Mower Lines and Canadian Steam. Bonus included, The Best of Steam the 1950's. Disc 2 covers Classic Steam the 1920's - 1960's. Bonus included, The California Zephyr. Disc 3 covers Steam of the 50's (throughout North America) and Steam Shortlines of the South. Bonus included, Wabash R.R. Disc 4. covers Colorado Steam and Colorado Narrow Gage. Bonus included, Santa Fe Odyssey Part 1 And finally Disc 5 covers Twilight of Steam and Steam Giants Across America. Bonus included Santa Fe Odyssey Part 2. Plus, a 20 page booklet covering the entire history of the steam engine a great supplement document to have.
This is a very enjoyable Collection seeing and hearing these mammoth steam engines powerfully cruising the rails with their wailing whistles sounding their approaches and departures. Buy it!! A great addition to your DVD library!! Enjoy."
Great video, horrendous script
The Milk Man | 11/20/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This set is well packaged and features tremendous video and is a an absolute bargain.
However, be warned that the narration is not worth the tin the set is packaged in. There are numerous errors in the script, ranging from the obvious to the obscure.
Enjoy the pictures, but trust little of what you hear."
Greate Gift
Danielle M. Mummert | Hanover, PA | 06/27/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have not viewed the DVDs personally, but bought them for my StepDad's 60th birthday. He is an avid garden railway hobbyist and loves Steam Engines. He's been absolutely thrilled with the DVDs and the metal box they are packaged in."