The BNSF Oregon Sub runs from Chemult OR to Wishram WA, passing through Bend OR. From Chemult, the BNSF has trackage rights on UP's Cascade Sub south to Klamath Falls OR. The Oregon Trunk runs through all sorts of spectacular scenery ranging from dense forest to sagebrush desert conditions and a rugged river canyon. This railroad line has been pretty much ignored by other producers, so kudos to 7idea Productions for taking a chance on this rarely seen railroad line. This DVD is in the 16X9 Widescreen format.

<p>The program starts at Chemult in deep snow, and works it's way north. In addition to BNSF trains, we see several UP detour trains. A massive mudslide near the summit closed UP's Cascade Sub for several months in early 2008. This sub normally sees just a few trains each day, but the UP detours make this a busy line. Highlights include the huge barren 9 square mile lava flow near Bend OR, the Crooked River Canyon arch bridge which at one time was the 2nd highest arch bridge in the USA, the Willow Creek high trestle and the Deschutes River Canyon. Interestingly, the Oregon Trunk Sub still has a lot of jointed rail. See if you can spot a rather odd mix of power on a UP train.

<p>Narration is sufficient, providing details about the railroad line and most trains. Markers are displayed for most locations. The photography is excellent, as good as it gets! The kids may or may not like this one – the trains are not moving very fast (jointed rail) and there is not much horn blowing. This is a Must Have for BNSF fans and northwestern railroad fans.


Additional remarks by armchairrailfan:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

You can do either of two things, go there yourself or buy a 7idea disc from the Train Video Depot!!!!!! A superb quality feature film of a little known area. Fantastic quality that is a hallmark of 7idea productions.

Additional remarks by Hueycrewman:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

Found subject very interesting and fascinating, especially about the bridges and canyons.

Additional remarks by Ken:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Seemed a little high, but not too bad.
Recommend to others? Yes.

This was a very interesting, by this I mean that their is some very rough terrain that railroad travels through.

Additional remarks by JJ:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

In this 10 to 15 year old program, it starts with a look at a clip montage of what's coming up in this show, followed by a look at the map of the route. The coverage begins at Chemult Oregon during January of 2008 as it is wintertime there in the northwest. This town is the highest point of the Oregon Trunk Subdivision: 4770 feet. At milepost 502.25, a northbound Barstow to Vancouver mixed freight is shown with a mix of power from both the past & present: BNSF 4761, Santa Fe 6766 in blue & yellow livery, an unknown AT&SF Dash 9-40CW in warbonet colors, Burlington Northern 7823, & BNSF 4046. Note the Caterpillar equipment on flatbeds, as well as the 2 stop signs at this unprotected crossing. Meanwhile, a brief look at the landslide in the cascades is shown, then we moved to crescent lake as Union Pacific 4314 operates a work train while heading north. Another unit is seen pushing on the rear of the same work train. Afterwards, we returned to Chemult as a propane fire heater is working harder to clear ice & snow, then we get a brief look at a maintenance house from Southern pacific years. Facing south, a Northbound Los Angeles to Portland Union Pacific Z train is taking the BNSF tracks due to a landslide. Its led by engines 7689, 9693, & 3861. Leaving Chemult behind, a 4 unit southbound Union Pacific Mixed train is heading to Roseville California. It's led by engines 5206, 4565, 4278, & 8392. This location is between Rosedale & Beale. Next, we moved to the highway 31 crossing as a southbound BNSF Everett WA, to Barstow CA mixed freight rolls down the line in the late afternoon sun. It's led by engines 5150, 4194, & 6118. All of which are wearing the 1999 Livery, especially 4876 that is pushing on the rear with Santa Fe Warbonet 673. At North Beal, a high-rail truck rolls through the forest while inspection the condition of the tracks as snow starts to fall. Following behind is a River bank CA to Pasco WA mixed freight with engines 7589, 4528, Canadian National 2582, BNSF 605, 4507, & 5522 upfront. It's early morning at Lapine Oregon as the sun is up while a southbound Pasco WA to Barstow CA mixed freight rolls through. It's led by 7575, 4147, 4811, & 5222. After the tail of a freight clears, we get to hear the defect detector in action. Meanwhile, we get to witnessed Mt. Bachelor in the background, as a northbound Barstow to Vancouver Mixed freight is shown with 4 units upfront, while a single helper is pushing on the rear. Next, we moved to State park Road crossing as the same Union Pacific Detour Train from Beale is shown once again, then we get to witnessed a southbound Pasco to Barstow Mixed Freight as the snow is still falling near Vandervert Road crossing. It's led by engines 4726, 383, & 115. Afterwards, we moved to milepost 12.8Z at Lava as this was known as the longest siding on the Oregon Trunk Subdivision measured at 8725 feet. Here we get to Witnessed a southbound Vancouver to River bank mixed freight as 4984 leads 5843 & 4853 on a warm July Afternoon. At the north switch of the same location, we get to see some rocks that was caused by a volcanic eruption over 6000 years ago, before we get to see another Vancouver to River bank mixed train following behind the previous one while listening to some radio communications. It's led by engines 7672, 4651, & Norfolk Southern 9342. This is the Freight that appeared on the Front Cover of This DVD Artwork. Moving right along to Bend Oregon, the same freight with the NS unit arrives for a crew change at the yard. Again, listen to the radio communications. Look carefully for some writing on NS 9342. Sitting at the yard until the winter weather is called once again, a Jordan Spreader is shown. Leaving Bend Behind, we moved to Deschutes as a Northbound BNSF Mixed freight with an inspection vehicle following behind, must wait for 2 Southbound trains. The first is a Union Pacific Detour train which we already saw at Beale & State Park Road, while the other is a 3 unit BNSF Everett to Barstow Mixed train with the same helpers on the rear that we saw at the highway 31 crossing. Meanwhile, we moved to Prineville Junction as a former Milwaukee Road GP9R number 985 is idling while carrying the Cricket River Dinner Train. The 3 coaches were originally from the iconic Hiawatha. Back to BNSF However, the freight with NS 9342 is clicking along jointed rail. Following behind is a 4 unit Everett to Barstow mixed freight after being stored in the Deschutes river canyon overnight. It's led by engines 5202, 5209, Santa Fe Warbonet 629, & 4184. At Terrebonne there is a historic depot which once served the Oregon trunk railway after it was built in 1911. Today it is a small business restaurant, as an Everett to Barstow mixed train rolls through with engines 4182, 4473, 4834, Burlington Northern 2073, & Santa Fe 2779 in charge. Pushing on the rear is Union Pacific 6080, & BNSF 4886. Moving onto the crooked river canyon, we get to see some lovely scenery as a 2 unit Union Pacific mixed train rolls over the 2 hinge arch bridge that was measured at 460 feet long, and it is over 320 feet above the river. It was once the second highest bridge in America. Route 97 is seen in the background. There are 2 pushers on the rear. Looking at the Crooked river itself, we get to witnessed a 3 unit BNSF mixed freight that has a Santa Fe Warbonet in the middle, while a single pusher is on the rear. Moving onto the Willow Creek Viaduct, we see the same UP freight from the Previous bridge. Note the Dragonfly trying to block the lens. This viaduct measured at 275 feet tall, & 150 feet long. Moments later, the date is May 23, 2008 as we moved to Madras Oregon as the same train with CN 2582 from Lapine is shown once again. On the other side of the bridge, an Everett to Barstow Mixed train is shown as the rain came down while turning at the big curve. The Trash Containers are heading to Klamath Falls. Afterwards, we moved to Paxton Oregon as another mixed Everett to Barstow train is shown at milepost 99. It's led by 4056, Santa Fe Warbonet 749, & 4127. Pushing on the rear is a reference to the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Mikado that is at the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona: 4960. As the tail of the train goes away, listen carefully for some birds offscreen. Next, we moved to Gateway near milepost 91.5 as the same train that we saw in Paxton rolls really well with some mountains in the background while sprinklers are activated. From Ground level, the freight with CN 2582 passes by some empty sidings. Afterwards, we moved to the north end of town as new signals are in the process of being installed while the original searchlight signals are waiting for the same freight from Prineville junction. Deep into the canyon, we're at a fill known as the Trout Creek Ranch. Here we see the freight with CN 2582 Descending into the grade. From a higher vantage point, we can see trout creek canyon in the background. Moments later we see the scene that was used on the front cover of this DVD artwork: NS 9342 heading for Vancouver to Riverbank near Trout Creek. Next we get a decent look at the abandoned Ranch itself, as well as some cows looking for food on the ground. Leaving the ranch behind, we get to look at the nearby Viaduct that was measured at 550 feet long, as the same Freight with BNSF 4960 on the rear crosses the picturesque location on the Oregon trunk Subdivision. Afterwards, we moved to South Junction as we're high above the ground at Mesa. This is the most beautiful scene while visiting the pacific northwest. Out on the Deschutes River, there are rafters on the water, then we get to see a freight Negotiating the S Curve with the same locomotives that we saw at the Terrebonne Restaurant. The South Junction Siding itself is measured 5386 feet long. Moving onto Mt. Hood, the Mountain itself is in the background, as well as some wheat farms that was viewed from highway 97. A Few miles south of Maupin, spring has come to the canyon as sunflowers are being bloomed. In Cambrai, a 3 unit BNSF freight is parked on the siding as it is waiting for a Union Pacific Piggyback Detour train. The date is April 4, 2008. With the tail of the UP Detour train cleared, the BNSF freight finally gets the right of way, after the conductor throws the switch so that it's own train could go to Bend. It's led by 7726 with 2 more engines behind it: 4080, & 4590. Next, we Moved to Cambria Oregon where the siding is measured at 4526 feet long. Here we see the same Union Pacific Detour train that we saw at the Crooked River & Willow Creek Bridges. Afterwards, we moved to Maupin which is near milepost 54, & has a population of just over 400 residents. Here it has a grain elevator which is used for maintenance of way only. From high above a 5 unit BNSF Barstow to Pasco mixed train is shown as a Santa Fe Warbonet is in the consist. This scene was in late afternoon. Leaving the Deschutes river canyon behind, we now focused on the white river bridge as a 4 unit freight with another AT&SF warbonet heads from Everett to Barstow. Near Horseshoe bend, a northbound Barstow to Vancouver train Works it way to Oak Brook. There are 4 units upfront with a single pusher on the rear. Afterwards, we see the same Union Pacific freight from Cambria, this time it is passing by some carved faces on the mountain. At the North end of Horseshoe Bend, the Same UP Freight from the 2 bridges negotiates the curve, & plunges into tunnel 2. The second unit is a Since been sold Standard Cab C40-8. North of Oak Brook, a Southbound BNSF Mixed train heads for Maupin. At Rattlesnake Canyon, we get to witness the same UP Freight that we saw at the 2 bridges & Tunnel 2 on Horseshoe bend. At Max Canyon, we get to see some purple flowers while witnessing a southbound BNSF Everett to Barstow mixed train between Dyke & Cinevox. Near the Mouth of the River, a new signal guards the switches at Moody Junction near milepost 4.9. BNSF 5228 enters the Deschutes river canyon on the .6% grade. This is the final siding before entering the columbia river gorge, which we are entering anyway. From a bird's eye view of the mighty Columbia River gorge itself, the scenery is splendid as well as the action of some container ships & sailboats on the water. At Sililo, The Lift bridge is raised up where it is open for water traffic. The bridge is measured at 4197 feet long. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour. It was originally built as a swing bridge, before transformed into a lift bridge in 1957. At the North end of the Bridge, there is a wye. We see a tidewater barge upstream filled with containers as it heads for Vancouver docks. With the boats gone, we see a westbound trash train with 3 units that has one for each color, First comes Burlington Northern, Second comes, AT&SF, & finally BNSF. It seen on the Washington State Side of the River. It's between Portland & Pasco. From underneath the Highway bridge, we're at Oregon Trunk Junction as a 4 unit Union Pacific Doublestack highballs through the location while heading for the Blue Mountains at Hinkle. Later, BNSF 5228 is on the other side of the river, as it'll be tied down for a short while waiting for a fresh crew. At the Same Time, an Eastbound grain train is shown with a Santa Fe Warbonet upfront, A BNSF unit in the Middle, & A Burlington Northern unit on the rear. With the arrows flashing down, it means that the lift bridge would soon be lowered to the ground, which includes a special speed up effect. As a new crew is onboard 5228, the mixed freight is finally underway once again, before the conductor throws a hand switch so that it could use one leg of the wye. With Everything lined up, the freight enters the state line at 10 MPH. Later we moved to the Washington state side of the river as we have arrived at Wishram yard which was originally Fallbridge. Here the Loram rail grinder is tied down for the night. At the Yard, we see Amtrak's Empire Builder with Genesis unit 47 in charge while heading for Spokane as it heads east for Chicago. Meanwhile, we get to head back to the junction near the lift bridge as we see a barge on the water, as well as a BNSF Grain train passing the wye, & the lift bridge. At the same time, an empty eastbound grain train appears with a CSX unit in the Consist. A Canadian National Unit pushes the rear of the loaded grain train. At sunset, a northbound Barstow to Vancouver 4 unit mixed train is slowing down for the preparations of the crossing of the Lift bridge on the Columbia River. It's led by 7761 with 4404 & others. At the same time, an eastbound Union Pacific Mixed train is seen in the background where an MP15 Switcher is sandwiched between the 2 giants. As 7761 comes to a stop for a crew change, the final sun of the day is shown as Mt. Hood is in darkness while the bridge is up for water traffic.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: A little bit too much.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.