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Great footage! Narratation is insightful, and had some pretty awsome shots from the cab.

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

From the preview the film looks like a DVD I'd really like, but the music kills it for me. I want to hear the diesels, the rotary, everything just like I was there. I purchased a DVD a few years ago with lots of music & that made it BAD. Redo it without music.

excellent and waiting for vol 2 to come out

Additional remarks by Dave:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
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.

I could not wait to get this video and when it came in I found it to be even better than I had expected it to be.

The scenery is beautiful and the subject matter is exciting. We are taken into the heart of a major snowstorm in March of 2011 that resulted in the rotaries being put into service for the first time since 1998. It was the biggest snowstorm in 30 years.

My ONLY complaint about this video is that it ends too soon. I really wish it ran longer, but if it did, I guess I would still want more.

You will NOT go wrong by buying this DVD.

Tom

Additional remarks by TomJ:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
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.

Today I received the blu ray.
I put the blu ray in the player and would be very pleased.
Sometimes at the beginning of the movie it was a little bit unsharp.
For future updates of this movie it was a good idea to offer a version with orig. sound only.

But overall, it was a very good movie.
If you like RR in hard winter time it is a must have one!
Now I´m waiting for part II.

Additional remarks by Robert:
Narration: Way too much!
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

This video of a snow train getting trapped in an avalanche in the Sierras above Truckee, CA and it's subsequent rescue by the Rotary Engine and the helper snow caterpillar tractor plows is riveting. That this 81 year old (at the time of this filming) Rotary Engine (dates to 1929) could do a job that modern equipment is not even built for is fascinating and a bit disconcerting. Makes me wonder what else do we moderns miss or dismiss that previous generations prepared for. That the crew was made up of experienced and new railroad personnel was gratifying. At least critical, essential skills that are seldom used are being passed down for the time they are needed. A very good video!

Additional remarks by Kate:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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.

This video gets off to a good start, Is well put together and presents and interesting story..... until....
it ends without a resolution to the problem. This is only half of the story. I am extremely disappointed that I must buy another DVD to view the rest of this program. I have not decided whether to purchase the additional DVD.

Additional remarks by OldTrainGuy2:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

This video has excellent image quality, and the editing gives you an excellent view of the UP crews' efforts in their struggle to keep Donner Pass open for traffic when nature decides otherwise!
The experience is the closest thing possible to what the men/women "on the mountain" deal with in their work!
Good narration- personable interviews, and a well thought out storyline to let the viewer understand this subject.
I doubt any railroad afficianado will be disappointed!

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

The beginning really set up the drama which was more than I expected. The beginning of the video reminded me of a Weather Channel's "Storm Stories" which really says a lot about the quality of the videography. Another plus is my wife who "tolerates trains" watched it with me which speaks to the quality of the videography and story-telling.

Additional remarks by Willie:
Narration: Way too much!
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.

What a Great Movie. Never knew how tuff it was to combat snow removal on train tracks. WOW ! ! ! Really enjoyed this. also learned alot about trains and snow.

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

The best video ever made about Rotary Snowplows clearing the Donner Line...Ever...Period!

Additional remarks by Dave:
Narration: There was no narration.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

Excellent picture quality. Enjoyed the section where flash photographs by rail fans were "held". It's a lot harder to remove snow on mountain rail lines and this video certainly showed it.

Additional remarks by Francis Smith:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good 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.

DVD left me hanging at the end...What happened to the derailed equipment and how that was delt with...What happened to the second rotary and how that was used etc...

Additional remarks by Ed:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

I watched this first on public TV. I recorded it and watched it several times. I decided I wanted my own copy of it. The information on the rotaries was excellent. I thought the photography was very well done. Overall this was a 5 star video for me.

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

Although interesting, it was not up to their past standards of presentation.
Too much night video. I realize that the weather accounted not only for
the rotary action but limited access by the video crews. There is a Part 2
indicated. I hope it has much more daylight shots. For the first part of
Part 1, once the rotary got to where there was substantial snow, all it did
was push the snow, not blow it. Still, interesting with good narration and
first person remarks.

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

Nice mixture of interesting content and narration. Something besides the endless run-bys of other videos.

Additional remarks by DaveB:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Seemed a little high, but not too bad.
Recommend to others? Definitely.

a good video ,good to see blowers at work.

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

Was one of the best SNOW JOBS I'v seen, It shows what a railroad has to deal with in winter. Just EXCELLENT!

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

BA Productions hit a home run with this one! Interviews with different Union Pacific employees make it even more interesting. They take you inside and show how they prep the rotaries to take on the mountain. The cab shots are awesome as well. WELL WORTH THE MONEY 5/5

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

hopefully part 2 soon

donnerrails.com/rotary-plow-rebuilding-update/#comment-8365

dmacleo January 16, 2017 at 11:54 am #

so its been years since rotary part 2 was just waiting on narration (per your email) and nothing?
we ever going to get to see the finish of the stuff we purchased?
Reply

Brendan January 23, 2017 at 11:11 am #

Of course! we�re playing a draft copy to an audience this Thursday night for feedback.
It will be more Rotary action than you can ever imagine on Part II

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

Loved it, part 2 is supposed to be out Fall 2014. Cannot beat the scenes of these monsters chewing through the snow.
Wish I had one as snowblowing my road takes a LOT more effort LOL

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

Loved it and thanks for asking saw a partial of this on PBS so I had to buy it.

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

My husband and I really enjoyed it! I shared it with my dad who is a retired diesel mechanic. He loved it too! But we felt it ended abruptly. I have been looking for part 2.
Pam

Additional remarks by Pam:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Seemed a little high, but not too bad.
Recommend to others? Yes.

We seen this on TV and enjoyed it. So we ordered it for our son as a gift.

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

It's outstanding video! I've never seen like this video. high recommended.

Additional remarks by Tetsuota:
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.

I enjoy any movie that has sp snow plow action,good video,fun to watch

Additional remarks by kurt:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

on location for part 2 of rotaries through the averlance

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