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This is volume 2 of Plets Express' "Michigan Shortlines" series. Like the first volume, this is another well-produced look at three Michigan rail lines: one in the Lower Peninsula (Marquette Rail) and two in the Upper Peninsula (Lake Superior & Ishpeming plus the Mineral Range). Kudos to the narrator for properly pronouncing Pere Marquette in mentioning the history of Marquette Rail. It's great to see another DVD covering the often overlooked Michigan shortline rail scene. That said, I didn't think that the scenes of PM 1225 with an excursion train (at first seen being pulled backwards) on the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay belonged on this particular DVD. Also, while I always enjoy seeing connecting lines, there is too much big time Canadian National in this shortline package. Probably one of the highlights for me is the Mineral Range footage, an interesting "unknown" line. Mention is made of another section of this line that uses an end-cab switcher, but alas there is no coverage of it on this video. Here's hoping for a volume 3.

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

Another great program, from Plets. Lots of interesting locations, Only wish, there would been more shots of the U30C's and C30-7's, but the ones shown, are excellent. It's nice, to see, this location, done in Wide Screen HD. Really shows, the beauty of this area.

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

In this 2016 program, it starts with a workman firing up the diesel for the day, followed by a short montage of clips in this show. The main show begins at Marquette rail in the town of Baldwin. First comes the shot of the coal tower from the steam days, followed by 2 diesels idling, and a 4 unit freight with a Union Pacific SD40-2 in the middle. Of course this railroad was owned by the Gennessee & Wyoming. The chase starts at the crossing, then it goes through a brown grassy field over a gravel road. The next crossing is through a forest. It is led by 3408, GATX 5418, UP 3181 and 3407. Afterwards, it slows down at yet another crossing near milepost 73.4 back in Baldwin. Moving north to manistee, a 2 unit light move with engines 3000 & Former Union Pacific 2041 pass by the cameraman. Next a look at the yard is shown, as rail is falling from the sky on a different day. Next the same diesels got a single tank car. Later it grew to 5 tankers as it goes backwards. Later a different 3 unit lash up is passing by the 1890 station with a little red Caboose on display as well as a brick built workshop. 2041 is shown but 2 different diesels 3389 & 3390 are helping 2041. The following day, a 4 unit freight is shown with 3408 up front, followed by 3181, 3407 & 3406. The same freight passes by a gas station sign as it is making a tight bend. This location is at White Cloud. The next scene shows the same freight picking up speed. Afterwards, a hilly roller coaster portion of the line is shown as the 4 unit freight takes the steep grade nice and easy as it approaches the crossing. Later on, it whistles through a crossing at Lilley near milepost 65. Arriving at Baldwin the original PM station is still standing as the freight arrives. Sadly the coal tower from the steam days have since been demolished. This segment was shot in 16x9 widescreen.

Moving on to the present Lake Superior & Ishpeming back in 2002, a pair of wide cab units (AC4400CW) from the CEFX Numbers 1004 & 1003 (Not the Soo Line Mikado) is rolling through the crossing with a really long line of small ore cars. This location is at Eagle mills yard. The first shot is in 4x3 full screen while in the next shot it was 16x9, on a different weather season, this time with 1012 and 1005 leading. Back in the 4x3 mode, we are at Lake Superior itself as we see some cargo ship action as a big boat named Wilfred Sykes built in 1949 is waiting for its load to be ready at the docks. In Marquette Michigan, the steamer ship-Buckeye is now arriving at the dock. The dock was built in 1912. Buckeye was built 3 years after Wilfred Sykes was built. On the rails of the dock, a pair of former Burlington northern U-Boats roll backwards. Back in the 16x9 shots, 1005 and 1012 have ran around its train going in the opposite direction. Later, the different lash up with 1015 and 1003 are shown as it slows its train down through a crossing, and back into home base. Afterwards, the same train is passing by another crossing. Next it slowly curves around the bend, and into the crossing. Then the process continues at another location. Afterwards, it is seen through the fall colored trees and some of the mountains in the background. Not to mention the lake. This location is at empire junction. Canadian National also appears in this segment as well. Later an unknown blue unit ore train is passing by the pellet plant at empire mine. Then it curves along empire junction with the lake. It is powered by 1003 and 1015 once again. Afterwards 2 Burlington Northern U-Boats are rolling by the lake, then it passes by the cameraman. Listen to the horn on 3009. Next the twin greens are slowly negotiating a hill as it approaches a crossing. It is led by 3000. Then a different freight is shown with 3073 and 3074. Afterwards the 2 diesels ran around the train facing the opposite direction. This next scene might�ve been on a different day with 3073 leading. After the BN segment, the 1015 and 1003 are exiting a rocky cliff and heading for the crossing at eagle mills junction. Next, Canadian National is shown with 2557�s epic horn, and Standard Cab C40-8 #2001 leading a northbound freight.

Leaving the LS&I behind, we�re at the mineral range railroad. Where it is also a connection to CN. Alco C420 #7222 sits by the yard office. Then GP9 number 1323 passes by the crossing. This location is at Humbolt Michigan. This is the newest shortline in Michigan. Next 1323 ran around the cars, and shunted them into the yard, and the processing plant. Later another CN freight is shown, this time it is led by twin Dash 8-40CWs Numbers 2136 and 2194 hauling mostly lumber, and some mixed freight on the rear. Next 1323 is running long hood forward at the same spot where the CN train was shown, as well as another crossing hoping that it�s a quiet zone. Afterwards it crosses over a small road at a bridge. Then it approaches at a crossing for slow orders as it arrives at home base. On a different day, 1323 is getting some help from another Burlington northern Engine: chopped nosed GP10 number 1345. The rain is still falling from the sky, as the 2 geeps heads for the crossing, And then another on state highway 41 as it approaches humbolt. The rain looks worse as the run around is underway, where BN 1345 will lead the train. Listen to 1345�s horn as it rolls through various crossings. The sun is finally out as we bid farewell to the newest shortline. Moving on to CN territory once again, switcher engine number 1204 a SW7RM is going backwards pulling empty lot cars, followed by 2001 and 2557 on a freight. This concludes the 16x9 segment.

Rewinding the clocks to 2004, we are at the tuscola and Saginaw bay railway as 2 GP35�s 391 and 392 are towing the excursion with everyone�s favorite steam locomotive in the 21st century: Pete Marquette 1225 the polar express locomotive. The engine is on a trip from Owosso to Cadillac, and on that day, the engine is heading to Yuma Michigan before heading home to Owosso. 391 is leading the move as it blares its horn through the crossing, with 1225�s own whistle. Next the train is at another crossing. Afterwards 1225 does the honors of pulling the special but with 391 added behind the tender at Yuma. Next 1225 whistles through the trees and makes a bend as it approaches another crossing. Slowing down at another landmark, 392 is seen in the background as 1225 whistles through the crossing, then 392 runs light. 1225 is idling at Cadillac. Afterwards, everyone got back on board as 1225 is ready to head home base for Owosso. Listen to that incredible whistle. The camera crew chased the locomotive as far as mount pleasant. This concludes the 4x3 segment.

Finally we are back at LS&I country in the winter as 1005 and 1013 are leaving this rocky junction. Snow is falling from the sky as 1022 and 1012 are exiting the cliffs. These scenes were recorded at the transfer of October into November of 2014. Next 2 BN diesels pass by running light. Listen to 3073�s horn as the water drops are blocking the lens, then comes 1012 and 1022 going in the opposite direction after running around the train. This is at empire junction where the lake itself is frozen. Again note the water drops as heavy snow is falling from the sky. the BN train passes by with 3009 and 3000 leading. Finally 3074 and 3073 are rolling to a crossing as the sun is starting to pop out of the sky. As an added bonus 1013 and 1005 pass by milepost Q68 not to mention the frozen lake at empire junction. Shortly before the closing credits, 1022 and 1012 pass by with a ton of hoppers.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Narration CAN be turned off in special features.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.