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Pretty thorough look at all the lines of each RR that go in/out and through Kansas City. It's an interesting area and very photogenic, RR photography-wise with lots of diamonds/junctions, bridges/viaducts and signals galore and multiple track. Interesting variety of trains, including a UP passenger special pulled by their E-units. The time period in which it was filmed made for a great variety of motive power paint schemes. Lots of KCS power are still in classic white and the BNSF merger was still young; and as such you see pretty much BN cascade green stuff on the old BN lines, and Santa Fe warbonnet & yellow/blue on their respective lines.

Videography is first rate, audio sounds good as well. My only issues were the lack of a chapter menu, and lack of a narration on/off feature.

Additional remarks by MP_37:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

pretty good dvd, the lack of narration off was odd but not a big deal to me. liked the variety of track/trains shown

Additional remarks by dmacleo:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

Urban railroading has it all for the rail fans. Lots of power, lots of power types (SD40-2's, SD70's, GE's... etc), lots of companies... present and past and lots of locations in a condensed region. That is this video. In the mid 1990's, everything that could be seen in the American mid-west is seen in Kansas City. Class 1's, shortlines, Amtrak service, and large yards, transfers... etc. Who could ask for anything more?

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

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

Kansas City has always been a major hub of activity and by the time the video was made between 1996 & 97, the railroads were in the merger frenzy. Past or present railroads, they always put on a great show and one of the best moments for the whole video was the Union Pacific Marysville subdivision at 65th street when Pentrex captured a meet between a coal train bound for Texas and an intermodal freight bound to California. I�ve been into Kansas City a couple of times and Union Station at Kansas City, Missouri is one of the highlights. This year or next year in the future, BNSF will celebrate its 25th anniversary as a railroad. Union Pacific and Norfolk southern are also included. Canadian Pacific does operate in Kansas City as well. Fallen flags are represented to like Chicago & Northwestern and Soo Line. I just wish there were chapters on the video and steam power would�ve been nice too.

Additional remarks by Ron Harber:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

In this over 20 year old program, it starts with a pair of blue & yellow units on the santa Fe leading a double stack, followed by a look at the map of the 2 states which are located in the same city. At Santa Fe junction, a pair of another blue and yellow units are on a transfer move to Argentine yard. While crossing the diamond, an eastbound southern pacific doublestack rolls through with 3 units as the 4th unit is still wearing the failed 1985 merger paint. Still heading for Chicago, the SP doublestack makes a meet with Norfolk southern mixed train 415 with 2 units: high hood 3277, & chop nosed 6124. It's also heading for Argentine yard. Next up is a southern pacific coal train as it passes by the adam street interlocking while heading for the BNSF line. It's led by wide cab units 223, & 202. Tower 14 has since been closed. On a November day, skywriters are performing some action high above the ground while an empty southern pacific hopper train heads for terminal junction after leaving st. Louis. Once a crew change has been made, they'll head for Topeka on the Marysville subdivision. Moments later, a look at the historic union station is shown. There are 6 Amtrak trains arriving & departing the depot. On the Kansas city terminal, more blue and yellow power on the Santa Fe is shown as former Amtrak SDF40-2 number 5258 leads an auto carrier with 5034, & 4001. Following behind is a gateway western train from St. Louis arrives with Burlington northern SD40-2 number 8169 running longhood forward while other GW units 2040, 2037, & 1610. It's heading for Santa Fe junction, where cars will be moved at the 12th street yard. From the union station area, a visit to the street canyons of KCT tracks are included as a BN coal train with 9699 & SD40-2 number 7089 passes by some maintenance equipment. Following behind is a pair of SOO line SD60s on a transfer run to the Union Pacific 18th street yard. It's led by 6045 & 6053. At the same time, a big rig arrives to drop of some tiles at a warehouse. With the SOO line freight clear, the track tamper gets underway. At the same time, another GW freight is shown, this time it's heading for mill street yard. It's led by engines 1507, 1500, & 2024. Afterwards, another look at the map is shown as we moved to West bottoms. Here we see Norfolk southern C40-8 number 8854 leaving the west side as it heads for the Union Pacific 18th street yard while carrying 6651 & a mixed freight. Following behind is a union pacific doublestack which is heading for the Marysville subdivision. It's led by SD40-2 units 3411 & 3683. In the heart of West bottoms, one building is used as a haunted mansion while others are still at work assembling their products. Out of the 19th street yard, Burlington northern switcher 83 moves some cars on a local. Gateway western 1610 & 2028 leads a mostly piggyback with some boxcars up front. A brief look at the superior toy factory is shown, & while the GW switched directions, a Union Pacific C40-8 with SD40-2 number 5125, cotton belt, 9673, & southern pacific 6895 leads a manifest from Chicago to salt lake city. Here it utilizes the BNSF tracks until it arrives at Kansas city. Leaving the Marysville subdivision, another pair of union pacific SD40-2S with a C40-8 pass by the toy factory as it approaches Neff yard. Later in the day, a northbound Canadian Pacific freight is shown as it is led by 751 with HLCX 5036 in Conrail colors, & SD40-2 number 5729. Note the flatbed carrying a giant transformer up front. Winter came to Kansas city & in January of 1997, Union Pacific E units 949, 951 & B unit 963 operates an office special as it heads to council bluffs iowa after going to New Orleans for Superbowl 31 where the green bay Wisconsin packers defeat the New England patriots with a halftime show by ZZ top at the superdome. Returning to much warmer weather, a look at the Hannibal swing bridge is shown. Under the south end of the bridge, a Union Pacific grain train with SD40-2S 3249, 3535, & 4313 heads east to Neff yard. At the same time, an airplane with several birds fly in the sky. Paralleling the Union Pacific is the abandoned KCS belt line bridge, While at the same time, Chicago & northwestern dash 9-40CW number 8686 crosses over the Hannibal bridge while heading for salt lake city. Behind the wide cab unit is NS 2502, SP 9739, & cotton belt 9646. Crossing under the freight is a westbound transfer with union pacific 1401 & 1414. As the tail of an auto carrier mixed freight combo leaves the bridge, a Chicago bound counterpart waits for a clear signal. From a different angle, a Union Pacific C40-8 with an SD40-2 crosses over the bridge while a 3 unit union pacific freight goes underneath as it heads for Neff yard with 6365, 6180, & 3838. The train going over the bridge is the same that we saw at West bottoms. Moving on to the BNSF fort Scott subdivision, a northbound freight passes by the 29th street interlocking. It's led by Burlington northern 7252 with a strange horn, 8072, & santa fe 2934. Note the flatbed carrying a giant load. Afterwards, a southbound counterpart arrives as it enters the fort Scott sub with Burlington northern SD40-2 7184 & U boat 5583 while the 2 flatbeds are carrying some pieces of machinery. Next a visit to the Burlington northern Murray yard is included. At the locomotive terminal, look carefully for a leased Maryland area regional commuter unit, as well as a blue and yellow Santa Fe unit while red and silver warbonet GP60M number 100 is waiting for a burro crane to pass. Just northwest of Murray yard is Parkville Missouri. Train 125 to Spokane WA is shown on the St. Joe sub as it is led by 6 units: BN 7252, leased unit 8541, BN 6360, BN cabless booster unit 4094, BN 6398, & BN 6339 on a mixed freight. Note that one of the flatbeds are carrying a broken gondola as well as military equipment with special bulldozers that are owned by the department of defense. Returning to winter time, a visit to the Truman drawbridge is shown. Here a freight waits for a C&NW mixed train to clear on the former rock island spine line as it heads for superior Wisconsin with C&NW 6810 & UP 902. The Canadian Pacific is on Milwaukee road tracks. Moments later, another look at the map is shown as we're in Randolph Missouri on Norfolk southern tracks as train 383 from Decatur Illinois heads for the 18th street yard. It's led by C40-8 8607 with 6159 in the consist carrying automobiles & mixed cars while passing by the continental grain elevator. Back to warmer weather, a visit to Sams town casino is shown as NS 3259 & 7040 are on their way to pick up their loads. Afterwards, a brief visit to the voltz intermodal facility is shown as the same NS high hood diesels leave the yard while the sun is starting to set. 3258 is an SD40-2 while 7040 is a GP50. Next a visit to the Birmingham diamond is included where NS crosses CP Rail. Here a short piggyback with SOO line SD60 number 6007 along with HLCX 6219 leads train 511 from Toronto to Kansas city. Moments later, a pair of Milwaukee road GP40S cross the diamonds on a shuttle. It's led by engines 2057, & 2038. Note the orange flag on rear of the train. Coming out of the branch, NS 2830 leads an auto carrier running longhood forward as it heads for the north Kansas city yard. At the same time, the same train that we just saw near the west.bottoms area (CP 5729) heads for Kansas city. Moving on to the KCS Pittsburgh sub, winter came to the area once again as a jet powered snow blower clears the switches. At the same time, a pair of blue and yellow Santa Fe units 2091 & 2095 heads for the Knoche yard on a transfer run. At Knoche, a kcs switcher is standing next to the turntable. Standing by on the yard tracks is an acquired Canadian national GP40-2W number 4719. Freight comes & goes 24 hours a day. Returning to winter once again, train 10 crosses southwest junction from New Orleans. It's led by 734 (a reference to the former lake superior & ishpeming 2-8-0 on the western Maryland scenic railroad) & 735 with piggyback trailers as one of them are still wearing the SP pig logo. Afterwards, a southbound approaches southwest junction with 4715 in charge as the horn scares the birds away. Behind the sister engine to 4719 is 732, 4716, & 4708. The parked hoppers are on top of the bridge in the going away shot. Back to warmer weather, we're at the big blue river as another northbound arrives with former SP tunnel motors 4504, & 4506. They are SD45T-3 units. Returning to the winter, a deep cut is shown near blue valley siding, a southbound arrives with 739 in charge of this 2 unit mixed freight while going under the overpass. Near the 60 minute mark of this program, there is a steel trestle that crosses over 63rd street, as a 2 unit mixed freight with a pair of SD40-2S go over the highway. Moving on to rock creek junction, Santa Fe warbonet 963 heads for Chicago on a doublestack with a blue & yellow SD40-2 & Burlington northern 7153. Afterwards, a marceline local with another Santa Fe Blue & yellow unit & Burlington northern 2321 heads for Argentine yard with 2 hoppers. On BNSF tracks, a Southern Pacific intermodal with cotton belt 7517, cotton belt 8058, SP 6815, UP SD40-2 number 3456 & SP 9741 heads from long beach California to Bedford park Illinois. Following behind is Santa Fe warbonet 606 leads a manifest from Modesto California to streator Illinois with Conrail SD40-2 number 6456. Waiting in the background is a mixed with union pacific & Chicago & northwestern power. With the Santa Fe freight cleared, 9701 with 2 more C&NW power units finally got the green signal as it heads for st. Louis on the Mopac line. At the city of independence on the Sedalia sub, a look at Truman station is shown as Amtrak's St. Louis mule arrives with F40 number 399 in charge then departs after picking up some local passengers with only 3 coaches. Moving on to the Union Pacific coffeyville sub, a 3 unit empty coal train with diesels 6835, 8008, & 9553 heads for the powder river basin in Wyoming after dropping off some coal in San Antonio Texas. Pushing on the rear is 6811. Next a visit to Neff yard is included. Look carefully for a blue & yellow Santa Fe unit. Returning to the winter, a visit to Leeds junction is shown as a northbound with 3935 & 4229 cross over the big blue river. A since been closed General motors plant is shown as well as some red robins while SD40-2 number 3507 leads a southbound with a C&NW SD40-2 number 6888, & another failed 1985 merger unit number 8072. On the 118th street overpass, a 3 unit coal train from the north antelope mine is led by a brand new SD90Mac as it heads for Newark Arkansas. 2 are from union pacific, 1 is from southern pacific. Moving on to the Marysville sub, we're at 18th street yard as diesels of all colors & shapes move around the yard as well as various freight cars. Southern Pacific 2715 works in armordale yard. Winter is back as an empty southern pacific coal train with diesels 322 & 139 heads for Colorado. Afterwards, a 3 unit container train with auto carriers on the southern pacific is shown as its led by cotton belt 9633, SP 8492, SP 9305, & SP 9307. At 57th street, a 5 unit manifest is shown with 3782, 774, 3790, 9036, & 2250. At 65th street, a meet is shown with a San Antonio bound coal train, & a Kansas city to Oakland mixed train. This coal train had a pair of C40-8s with 9449 in charge. At Edwardsville, some dogs are barking as 2279 leads a tank car at 60 miles per hour. On the BNSF emporia sub, the coverage begins at Argentine yard as a doublestack with 2 blue & yellow diesels plus a cabless warbonet booster unit arrives for refueling with a crew change. At the unused A.Y. Tower, the GW 1507 & 1500 are seen once again as it heads to the scrap yard while meeting with a quartet of warbonets on the Chicago bound piggyback. At the same time, a set of blue and yellow units are assigned to an outbound train. Returning to Argentine yard, there is some power from both Santa Fe & Burlington northern. Speaking of BN, SW 1500 number 57 heads back to work after being inspected. At Morris, a trio of warbonets leads a doublestack as 519 is wearing the new BNSF logo. Moments later, a mixed freight with 5 units operates the local into Argentine yard as Gp35 number 2540 is wearing some new colors. Following behind is a 4 unit freight with 3 from Santa Fe and BN 7930 in the consist. Afterwards, a visit to holiday junction is shown as a coal train heads for the Topeka sub with Sp 223 & 212. Moments later, a piggyback heads for Stockton on the BNSF upper line. Next, a doublestack is shown as it heads for Richmond California on the lower line. 2 more eastbound doublestack trains are shown in the Lower line. At gardener, 2 trains are shown as the switcher heads for Argentine yard while the other is being from Newton to Kansas city.The sun is setting as the program comes to a close.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.