Big Boy Tours the Midwest DVD
Steamboy (Revere MA US) on 2020-01-11 18:01:05.
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In the C. Vision version of the big boy summer chase, it starts with 4014 crossing over the bridge, followed by a map of the circle trip. The coverage begins on July 17 as 4014 is getting some service at mason city iowa. Next, the camera crew jumps ahead to Rock Island E unit 630 (A reference to the Southern Consolidation) in the industrial section of manly iowa awaiting for the beast to arrive. Like the May 2019 doubleheader with 844, many railfans from both America and the world have traveled far and wide to see the strongest and heaviest steam locomotive in action. Once the photo stop with the Rock Island E units are finished, 4014 heads for the twin cities. The diesel that's assisting the big boy is number 3025 (A reference to the former Knox and Kane Chinese Mikado that is now in southern Connecticut). At Northwood, the beast parallels US highway 65. Moments later, 4014 whistles through glenville Minnesota. Afterwards, the big boy whistles in the same town, but it's at a nearby grain silo. Next, 4014 whistles through the Grain elevators at Clark's grove. Moments later, it's south of faribault, as the beast is still whistling through the crossings. Multiple people get a good look at 4014 in Dundas. After a service and photo stop in Northfield, the big boy is climbing up the hill at castle rock. Next, the beast is whistling for the chasers at Rosemount. Moments later, the beast arrives at the South side of Saint Paul. One of the most iconic locations for railfans in the twin cities is at Dayton's bluff. Here 4014 is making a side by side catch up to a northbound auto carrier.
2 days later on July 19, the beast is heading from saint Paul to duluth. The first scene shows the big boy whistling through Cuomo ave. Afterwards, 4014 is on BNSF's Hinckley subdivision at cedar. Next, the beast is whistling at an unidentified location. Moments later, 4014 crosses over the Kettle river bridges at sandstone. Which was used as the opening clip for this program, and also for the front cover artwork and main menu. There are 3 repeated scenes at the river: 2 from the ground, and 1 from The sky. In the first and third scenes, note the canoes and kayaks under the bridge. Next, the beast is picking up speed at Foxboro. Entering Wisconsin, the big boy is crossing the nemadji river bridge in Boylston south of superior. Poking under the lake and ore docks, 4014 has arrived in Duluth. Here The beast would have to make a whistle salute to another restored steam engine of the 2010s: DM&IR 332. Which was later Duluth and northeastern 28 at the lake superior railroad museum. Unfortunately, the C. Vision crew didn't have the time to capture the meet.
On July 22, the big boy has turned south for the return trip to saint paul. The first scene is at the black river in South of superior. Next, 4014 is passing by random lily pads in a bayou swamp at kerrick. Moments later, the big boy whistles through Braham. Afterwards it whistles through Isanti. A repeat of the same scene was recorded by an unidentified camera operator. Moments later, the beast whistles through cedar. A repeat of the same scene was recorded from the other side of The track. Back.in the twin cities, 4014 is crawling into Minneapolis university, which is just near the BNSF yard. One other railfan Hot Spot in saint Paul is union junction, as the beast is climbing uphill. A repeat of the same scene was recorded from a different angle. Moments later, the big boy is exiting the Westminster tunnel. Afterwards, 4014 is back in downtown saint Paul as it makes a reverse move into union station. The Robert street lift bridge on the Mississippi river is in The background. 4014 is slowly moving forward, once it increases speed, the lift bridge is going up at the same time.
On July 23, the beast is heading for Kellogg Wisconsin. Lots of cameras clicked offscreen as the big boy negotiates a bend. At another bridge, 4014 is East of Saint paul. Some children are heard off Screen as 4014 approaches. Again The beast is still taking some slow orders. On a third overhead scene, the big boy is at Maplewood. From a grassy field, 4014 is East of Roberts. Next, the beast is at Hammond Wisconsin. From another overhead bridge, the big boy is at Woodville. In Menomonie, 4014 is crossing the red cedar river. Crossing the town lines of Altoona & Eau Claire Wisconsin, the beast is crossing a bridge over the Eau Claire river. Listen to that epic whistle. Yet another bridge crossing scene is shown. This time it's at fall creek. The big boy is whistling through Fairchild. Next it whistles through Merrillan. At millston, 4014 is blasting through the trees. East of Warrens Wisconsin, insects are buzzing as the beast interrupts the noise. Cars are alongside the tracks at shennington Wisconsin. The big boy picks up into Highball mode at Grand marsh. Near Dalton, 4014 is racing under the pedestrian bridge. Some boats are at buffalo lake as the beast is crossing the bridge in packwaukee. Note the sound of the motor boat offscreen. From the top of the bridge, the big boy is at Glen oak. Note the haybales to the left. At Randolph, 4014 crosses the bridge over the Wisconsin and southern. Some kids are heard off Screen.
3 days later on July 26, the beast of union pacific steam is leaving Milwaukee as it heads east to Chicago's West side. In the first scene, people are making noises as the big boy goes underneath the bridge. More chatting people joined in as 4014 whistles through Bain. In Northbrook Illinois, the beast is at valley interlocking. From a silent drone with music added, the big boy makes a meet with A coal train. If only there were future drones with built in microphones to add sounds from the sky.
4 days later on July 30, 4014 is at the coal tower in Dekalb Illinois. Next, the beast is at Creston, followed by another one which is further down the line. Flagg is located West of the Hot spot of Rochelle, as the big boy goes under the bridge. The Mike is picking up the wind as 4014 approaches. Away from the bridge, the beast is passing by a freight with grain elevators, followed by a repeat of The same scene but from a different angle. From the top of either A bridge, A building or a parking garage, the big boy is at sterling. Next, 4014 is crossing over a small road in Fulton. Back in Iowa, the beast is East of DeWitt. The final scene in the C. Vision version of the big boy 4014 Midwest journey, shows the beast at Clarence. The main program with 4014 is only 80 minutes.
The bonus 8 minutes, shows Former Rock Island later C&NW and later Soo Line GP7 number 559 on a freight special in the Osceola & saint Clair railway. During the special, the diesel is carrying 5 hopper cars and a northern pacific combine coach. The first scenes shows the diesel crossing the Saint Croix river east of marine. Afterwards, 559 is at Osceola. Next the diesel is passing by the restored Dresser station. Tank car X632 is on the siding. West of Osceola, 559 heads back to the saint Croix river valley, beginning with the cliffs. Next, it makes more runbys at the bridge east of marine. Afterwards 559 is East of maple island. The final shot of the special shows the diesel at maple island.
The camera operators for this program include: Chris Guss, Keon McGarvey, Douglas Hildebrandt, Jeff Comfort, Jesse Anderson, Jim Yanke, Kenn Oberneder, Marshall Beecher, Matt miles, Scott taipale, Kent nelson, Ross Peterson, Jeff Terry, Ed Lund and Chris laskowski.
Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Could have used more.
Narration CAN be turned off in special features.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.