Great pictures - especially the Cheyenne part

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

This 2004 2 DVD set chronicles the final years of every railfan's favorite steam giants. We all know that the 1960 film itself was overproduced on almost each and every compilation of other railroad films from the 1890s to the 1970s. But in Volume 2 the Cheyenne shops made in 1993, there is lots of unused film footage during production of the 25 minute film. Some future famous surviving big boys are shown as well as slope back tender engine 4466 shunting one of the 17 scrapped big boys (4007) at the washdown while Jim Ehrenburger makes some small commentaries. Also included in the second Volume is a short February 1993 visit (Can't believe its already 25 years later) at Cheyenne for the present exams. Sometimes the giants will have to squeeze at the turntable. Also, long retired engineer Steve Lee points out the photographs at the yard.

In last of the giants 3 made in 1993, there is a visit to fairplex in Pomona California where big boy 4014 used to be on display, but it is still under restoration at Cheyenne. For kids who are familiar with this opening footage, Railplex was shown in the 1994 preschool video: Kidsongs Boppin with the Biggles for the Locomotion and Little Red Caboose segments. Allan Krieg who worked in the 1960 film, met with the pentrex team and told them about his hard work on the film. Plus a look at 4014's cab as Allan explains the situation with the film crew and the steam crew while the big boy is operating down the line. Then the main 16mm films of the giants are eventually shown as the mighty monsters battle over Sherman hill as Allan explains the biggest challenges he facrdd in the story of the percentages he faced. More interviews with Jim Ehrenburger, Stan Kisler, and Steve Lee are included as well as some more footages of other engines which some survived but 93% of these shown in that program had since been scrapped. Some highlights include a head on shot of 4020, 1958 footage of 6537 and 2295 In Denver to demonstrate the word doubleheading, 5511 hauling freight at green river and now on display in the Cheyenne roundhouse, plus November 1958 footage of 1243 hauling freight and also on display in Cheyenne. There is a semi-awkward moment at the turntabe where 4013 had to be turned, as some pieces of toilet paper was used to smooth the wheels of the handcar. Plus witness 844 still wearing its 2-tone grey paint scheme despite the expired boiler, and 3985 without the tender. This was shot in 100% color. In Big boys on TV made in 1997, there are lots of black and white footages of the giants and early diesels as the whole family enjoys a 60 minute TV show called Lucky Strike Theater which was one of NBC's first TV shows. Some commercial breaks don't have anything to do with the union pacific, but I think that vintage film collectors would enjoy this rare piece of early television history compare to today's unacceptable nonsense.

Overall, its an absolute must have for railfans of all ages to enjoy again and again.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Seemed a little high, but not too bad.
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!