Russian Steam - A First Look DVD

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Russian Steam: A First Look

Features & Places
* Cab Rides and Runbys
* The amazing "Strategic Reserve"
* Diesels & Electrics
* Six Classes of Steam
* Ukraine from Kiev to Carpathian Mts.
* From Baltic States to Minsk and White Russia

When the Iron Curtain lifted, the stage was set for an incredible drama in railroading. Shedding the cloak of secrecy, a parade of six classes of remarkable steam locomotives rolled forth to the appreciation of Western railfans. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Goodheart Productions made three trips to Russia and the Ukraine beginning in April 1990 to videotape these steam locomotives in action on a series of historic rail tours.

The first Western look at six classes of steam:

*P36 4-8-4: For years we could only wonder about these magnificent broad gauge machines. Now they are revealed to Western eyes at last! Tall drive wheels, skyline casing, smoke deflectors, magnificent livery...the P36 has it all.
*L Class 2-10-0: Introduced in 1945 with a low axle-weight to operate over war damaged bridges, more than 4,000 were built.
*Su Class 2-6-2: Approximately 2,700 examples of this mainstay passenger locomotive were built between 1925 and 1951.
*TE Class 2-10-0: Built by Germany during WW II to aid the war effort, some were destined for service on captured Russian railroad lines. They ultimately did serve on Soviet rails, but as "trophies" captured by the advancing Red Army.
*Er Can 0-10-0: The ultimate refinement of the E Class first built in 1912, these durable locomotives became the largest class in the world-with over 12,000 delivered to the USSR and its satellites.
*SO Class 2-10-0: Approximately 5,000 of these elephant-eared Decapods were built at several facilities in the USSR, including wartime production in Siberia. Introduced in 1935, they stayed in production until the mid-1950's.

Narration and STEREO Sound
72 minutes