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LTV Mining Railroad DVD
 4.8 of 5 (5)

LTV Mining Railroad DVD Pentrex LTV-DVD 748268005992
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Pentrex takes you where few have ventured: deep into the inner plant and strip mines of LTV Mining Company's Minnesota operation as it existed in the early 1990s. You'll see the last intact group of EMD-delivered F-Units that remain in service on what was formerly known as the Erie Mining Railroad. There's plenty of Alco action on mine runs, and Baldwin switchers are seen working around the plant.

This is the complete taconite story. Starting with the removal of ore-bearing rock from pit mines, we trace the process from crushing and pulverizing to concentrating the ore and forming taconite pellets. Once the pellets have been formed, they are transported to the dock by railroad for their journey to LTV's blast furnaces.

LTV's roster of locomotives is truly unique, with units from three different manufacturers. A group of Electro-Motive F-9s is used to haul 96-car trains of taconite pellets to the ore dock. Rock is hauled from the strip mines by Alco diesels, primarily RS-11 roadswitchers. Alco C-420 engines and a C-424 are also used. A fleet of Baldwin S-12 switch engines handles supplies for the plant. You'll see all of these locomotives in action as they perform their daily routines around the huge mining complex. Then you'll climb aboard the cab of an F-9 for the trip to the Lake Superior ore dock. It's a beautiful ride through the north woods of Minnesota's remote iron range country. Hop aboard with this exciting presentation of LTV Mining Railroad!

1 Hour
Beautiful Color, with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration
Presented in Standard Definition 4x3 Format
Special Feature: This DVD includes Chapter Menus

No region code; can be played in NTSC DVD players worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-316-2
UPC: 7-48268-00599-2
Produced by Pentrex: 1991, 2013


DVD
TVD Price:$ 23.96
List Price:$ 29.95
Live Stock Status: IN STOCK!
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DVD Item#:LTV-DVD
Runtime:1 Hour, 00 Mins ($0.40/min)
Producer:Pentrex
Aspect Ratio:Full Screen
DVD UPC:748268005992
Shrink Wrapped?:Yes
Disc Type:DVD
Region Code:0 Worldwide NTSC
LTV Mining Railroad DVD
sabrail (Canada) on 2014-05-28 03:44:01.

People who found this review helpful: 2

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.

  •  4 of 5


Great movie especially if you are a train Buff like me, it will help me to built a mining industry and may be a dock as they show on this DVD; they show a lot of good old first generation of diesel, RS3,F's,C424 etc.... Good color and sound also good narration.

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

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LTV Mining Railroad DVD
Chase Freeman (Grundy VA US) on 2019-08-03 14:30:13.

People who found this review helpful: 1

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.

  •  5 of 5


This is easily one of my favorite videos in my collection. It covers every aspect of railroading that LTV had to offer. You'll see power from 3 different builders, ALCO, Baldwin and EMD of course. The videographer is also treated to a cabride in one of the F units. This video is for sure a must have!

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

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LTV Mining Railroad DVD
chris collins (fletcher north carolina) on 2018-03-18 18:52:46.

People who found this review helpful: 1

  •  5 of 5


pentrex did an outstanding job with this video shot around in the early 1990's ltv's mining railroad is a unique line with a collection of diesel locomotives emd f-units alco c-420's an rs-11 and a c-420 and Baldwin s-12 switchers there's even a cab ride in one of the f-units and learning how the mining ore is transported seeing the rock crusher and transporting the ore buy boat ltv mining railroad is an informative and educational look at how the ltv railroad done it all it's too bad this railroad won't return

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

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LTV Mining Railroad DVD
dmacleo (Etna ME US) on 2017-06-23 07:06:02.

People who found this review helpful: 1

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.

  •  5 of 5


Enjoyed it, very good narration and good mix of mining operations, train operations, truck operations.

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

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LTV Mining Railroad DVD
Steamboy (Revere MA US) on 2020-10-21 20:43:13.

  •  5 of 5


In this soon to be 30 year old program from either 1991 or 1992, it starts with a look at a bird's eye view of the yard followed by a close up look at the diesel yard as Baldwin built switcher 7241 pushing an empty hopper. After the title card comes up, we're at milepost 66 as F unit 4210 leads an empty train of 96 ore hoppers as it heads back to the taconite plant. Listen to the early diesel horn on The lead unit. Also note the Griswold signals as the camera zooms out. Behind 4210 are B units 4222 & 4224 with EMD GP38 4216 providing extra power. The same train is seen again as it climbs uphill while negotiating a bend at milepost 61. Note the words Erie mining company on 4210. Returning to the diesel yard, there are more engines to look at. Which includes F unit 4214 & 4213, GP38 number 4215, alco C420 number 4219, & another Baldwin S12 moving cars. Meanwhile, an alco RS11 are having its cars unloaded, While another C420 & a C424 are leading a freight. At the taconite plant which is located in hoyt lakes Minnesota, the rock is being transferred from an electric shovel to a waiting dump truck. The rock is 30% iron. Once the bucket is loaded, the driver takes The dump truck to the nearest pocket which the LTV calls it a loading site. Did you know that this big machine was operated at 1700 horsepower & could run on diesel especially wearing 11 feet high tires? According to the map, there used to be 10 areas which have been since reduced to 8. At area 2, the dump truck transfers the rock to the freight cars as it goes through the pocket. The locomotive for this mine train is Alco RS11 7202 as it pushes the loading cars backwards. These freight cars could carry 85 tons of rock. With the cars already loaded, the 7202 passes by an empty rock train which is waiting for its turn to get its own cars loaded. Listen to that incredible Alco sound. According to the rules from the railroad, one diesel could handle less than 9 cars. If less than 18, only 2 diesels would be responsible. Approaching the crusher, 7202 is working hard on the 2.2% grade. Another birds eye view of the plant is shown, & we are inside the building as 7211 enters the dumping site while entering the shed. One by one, the rocks are unloaded from the cars as they are tilting on one side. Note the no clearance sides on the other side of the dumping section of the plant building as 7208 is taking some stop & slow orders. The cab doors were modified so that the person wearing the remote control would walk in & out. Inside the control booth of the dumping section, the operator moves more rocks out of the train as they are being crushed by the crusher. After the rocks are gone, the train gets underway again, which includes a switchback performance as the operator gets on the rear of the train that only features a stove to keep the workman warm. This was done so that the locomotive won't run around the cars. Away from the dumping section of the plant, the train crosses over Hinsdale bridge. Then it picks up speed as 7204 does the demonstration. Different trains come from areas 6 & 9 as they would meet from one another. A short pacing sequence of 7211 is included. Taking a break from the locomotives, a visit to the dispatcher office is shown at the central control center. One dispatcher operates the trucks, the other for the locomotives. Listen carefully for the goof as Dave Drui calls 7208 & 7209-7909 & 7908. According to the transaction board, the date is September 26, 1991. Back outside, there is an interesting pole called a call point. Out of the mine, 7207 & 7213 are carrying 18 loaded cars of rock. Again, listen to that sound of the hard working Alcos. Meanwhile, we're at 2 west extensions pocket as 7201 & Burlington northern High hood alco RS11 number 7215 which was formerly northern pacific 910 are waiting for its cars to be loaded with rock. The engineer is operating the speed at the pocket. 20 miles to the northeast we're at the Dunca river mine as C420 number 7230 & C424 number 7222 are leading 36 loaded cars out of the mine. Climbing uphill, 7220 is billowing some smoke. Note that the rear car doesn't have rocks on this train. Back inside, the small rocks are rolling on a conveyor belt at the concentrator building. Yet another look outside the plant is shown, & we see the rocks being transformed into pellets on a machine called the pelletizer. Did you know that it took 2350 degrees to harden them? With that really hot process finished, the pellets are rolled into a conveyor belt then dropped off as they were creating a mountain of pellets where it will be waiting for a ship to lake superior. Back to the locomotives, Baldwin S12 number 7241 are hauling gondolas as one of them is lettered for the Chicago & northwestern. Meanwhile, a short visit to the deadline is shown as these failed diesels are stored for back up parts. Did you know that 7243 was the final diesel to be built by Baldwin? Same for C&O 1309 in 1949. Meanwhile, 7241 is running backwards while carrying 4 loaded gondolas as it climbs uphill for the concentrator building. At the plant, 7241 ran around the gondolas. Meanwhile, we're back at milepost 61 as F unit 4211 leads a 4 unit lash up carrying red ore. At the transfer dock to the ship, it only took 5 hours to load the ore to the boat. Freight ship Joseph H. Thompson is waiting for its load on its way to the Indiana harbor. The dock itself is measured at 1200 feet long, & could store 100,000 tons of pellets. A conveyor boom could make the transfer to faster. 4210 is inching ahead as the next cars are unloaded, While the really slow process continues in to the night. The next day, 4211 departs Knox yard while carrying 96 cars of pellets. Note the crane in the siding. Power behind the F unit are B units 4221 & 4220 & alco 4219. While leaving the plant, the cars & pellets must be hosed down with water to get rid of the iron dust. Slowly winding its way out of the yard limits, the train passes by some Griswold signals. A look at the map is shown from Knox to the dock at milepost 74. In the cab of the F unit, the train passes by Dunka junction. Note the can of Diet Pepsi that the driver is drinking. There are plenty of fall colored trees along the way. At milepost 15, the train crosses over the double track mainline which is owned by the Cyprus north shore. From the ground, the train passes by the swamp, then we are filming from the rear of the trailing locomotive. A look inside the engine blocks are shown, & The train crosses lake county road 2 as it passes by another Griswold signal at milepost 29. 10 miles later, the train passes by some structures on what's left of the former DM&IR line which is now a hiking trail. The camera zig zags from cab ride to trackside, & vice versa. The maintenance building is located at Murphy city on state route 1. Meanwhile, another train heads to the dock which is led by F unit 4212. The engineer for the cab ride scenes is lucky yankee. Here he applies the brakes on the 1.25% grade. While descending, the train crosses over the bridge at lake county road 7, & curves into the tunnel which is measured at 1800 feet long despite that the first half has concrete walls while the second half has solid rock walls. There are 2 passing sidings between Knox yard & The milepost 74 dock. Several miles from lake superior, the F unit crosses cook county road 1 while passing by some more Griswold signals at milepost 66. In the late afternoon sun, there are sharp bends at Zeke which means that the engineer must take caution while carrying a heavy load. The signal changed from green to red as there is one last bend while the train makes an on time arrival as it crosses over highway 61 at milepost 72. Slowing down now, 4211 enters the dock track where the unloading would last all night. Meanwhile, a map of the procedure is shown as the train crosses highway 61 4 times near taconite harbor at lake superior. As the train is moving at 10 miles per hour more or less, the load gets removed from the cars while the train turns around into a loop. One of the older style great lakes air boats named reserve arrives at the harbor. It takes 24,000 tons of pellets for delivery to Lorraine & Cleveland. By boat, it takes almost a whole week from lake superior to Cleveland & back. At Lorraine Ohio, the boat from The algoma central arrives on the black river where there are more seagulls flying. The unloading process is activated from.The Cuyahoga river to the mills. At Cleveland, there is a giant steel mill where pellets would be turned into steel. Cuyahoga valley 855 is operating the coke express where the pellets would be placed on an elevated crane so that the bucket could transfer them to the furnace by elevators & counter weights. Molted iron is moved to bottle cars as the pellets are melted to hot steel. Back in Minnesota, the train is working at milepost 67 as the alco creates a smoke show. Listen to the horn on F unit 4211. West of Kramer tunnel, the train heads back to the taconite plant as it negotiates an S curve at milepost 61. Boat operations are from April to December, the railroads operate 24 hours. One last look at the area 5 pocket is shown as 7200 is leaving the loading area as the engineer throttles up by remote control while the locomotive moves before the driver was in the cab. At sunset, listen to the early Alco built diesel horn while heading to the crusher. There are still more jobs to be done, especially in the dark on this northern Minnesota railroad.

Sadly since the best of 2000, this railroad is no longer operating after it went out of business in 2001.

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

Did you find this review useful?