In this Recent Modern Era Western Steam Show which in my own words I Called It "SP 1744 on La Veta Pass", the program starts with a small clip show of what's coming up in this hour long video, then Christopher Kovacs (Trainmaster844) talks about the San Luis & Rio Grande route as well as a mention of the D&RGW 4th Division. Meanwhile the SLRG is operating a Freight that is led by a pair of F40s number 455 & 459, plus there is a still image of 1744 meeting up with 487 at Antonito in the Eastern end of the Cumbres & Toltec. On Monday May 21, 2007, 1744 made a test run on the SLRG as it carried 10 Pacific Fruit Express Refer cars in Union Pacific Colors. The Engineer for the test run was none other Than Earl Knoob who also works on the C&TS plus operating on the Nevada Northern & Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Texas. 2 days later on May 23, 1744 is operating its first passenger run with 2 coaches. 3 days later on May 26, there was the first revenue passenger run of Steam on La Veta Pass for the first time since 1952.

Day 1 of the 2 day special with 1744 finds the 2-6-0 at milepost 245.7 east of Alamosa on September 20, 2007 as the sun is still rising. This location is at short hill as 1744 handles a freight train with a coach on the rear. Moments later, we're at the 1.5% grade at Milepost 216.5 west of Sierra Colorado as 1744 negotiates the S Curve & also performing a whistle show for the railfans. The next location on the eastbound journey to La Veta is at the 2.5% grade at Milepost 213 east of Sierra. Here 1744 starts moving for the next runby of the day, as it chugs through the steep Rockies, then whistle for the Next Bend. Afterwards, 1744 is negotiating through more S curves this time its at Fir Colorado. Next, we're standing at the same spot but this time, the 1901 baldwin built Mogul type locomotive is having some Traction Trouble/wheel slipping as we are looking down at a different curve, then the 1744 makes a nice going away shot at the Mule Shoe Curve. In the same spot from where we saw the First S Curve, the photographers are waiting for 1744's arrival, then We Moved to Occidental Siding at Milepost 196.6 after 1744 was turned on the Wye At La Veta for the return trip to Alamosa. Again, listen to this unique whistle. The consist that 1744 is carrying for the Freight Special is a Union Pacific Gondola, a CEFX covered hopper, D&RGW hopper car 12036, 2 CLAX hoppers 1011 & 1009 (A reference to the Canadian National 10 wheeler at the Salem & Hillsborough Railroad in New Brunswick Canada), an SLC yellow refer, & Canadian national Coach RPCX5060. The Next Location is at Milepost 202.2 where 1744 enters & exits the Upper/Beaman Tunnel. Afterwards, 1744 makes a second runby at the same location, this time we are a bit further from the previous scene as Mr. Burkhard is standing at Milepost 202.8. While approaching us, the engine is having some Traction Troubles once again. Returning to Fir Colorado, we're at the summit of La Veta Pass near Milepost 207, as 1744 is taking some slow orders for the preparation of a meet with a Regular SLRG Passenger train, that is led by F40PH number 456, which was originally built for Amtrak in 1981. The colors on the diesel are almost identical to the Canadian Pacific in Postwar years. With 456 gone, 1744 finally gets the right of way as it makes a runby at the siding, concluding the 9-20-2007 Freight Special on video, as the remainder of the trip contains with a still image of 1744 in the rain while heading back to Alamosa.

During the history portion of 1744, some clips from SP Steam Fantrips in 2012 were used as the engine operates from Sacramento to Knights Landing CA in Early May of 1958 that was filmed by Mr. Kenneth Shattock.

Returning to the Present century on 9-21-2007, the second/last day of the September 2007 special finds 1744 operating on a 4 coach passenger train as it Battles through the 2.5% grade at Milepost 212.5 east of Sierra. The CN Coach from Yesterday's freight special comes first, followed by 2 Long Island Commuter cars in the middle, & a Union Pacific Railway Post Office car. The Second runby is at the same location, but its from a different angle. Afterwards, We are back at the S Curves Below Fir Colorado, then we get to witness 1744 at the Mule Shoe Curve. On the return trip after turning on the Wye at La Veta, 1744 is operating through Occidental siding once again. Our next scene finds 1744 west of the Upper/Beaman Tunnel at Milepost 202.9, where the locomotive tackled its challenge in the Rockies: the 14 Degree Curve which is the sharpest bend on the Alamosa to La Veta Line, & it is on the 2.8% grade. Listen carefully for the Wheels slipping while 1744 struggles to climb. Moments later, 1744 is at milepost 203.5, where the grade itself is less severe helping the 1901 Mogul operate much easier. Afterwards, 1744 is east of Fir Colorado near Milepost 206, as it negotiates the 16 Degree Curves, then we get to see the engine at Milepost 207 on the mainline portion of Fir Siding. Once the runby is finished, 1744 would have to take the siding to wait for Another Regular Passenger train, This time it's led by number 459. Like 456, it was also built for Amtrak, but it came out of the Shops in 1977. Here the diesel carried only 2 coaches, then with the Line clear, 1744 performs the final runby of the Only Photo special it ever operated on La Veta Pass. Next, we drove 28 miles west of Blanca as 1744 highballs through Milepost 235. Followed by an Encore at the Same Location as this Rare once in a lifetime special is officially Finished. There are More Still Images included during the Epilogue and the final time that 1744 operated on the La Veta Pass line was on the last day of the Tourist Season: Sunday October 14, 2007. Also in the Epilogue, a clip of Former Lake Superior & Ishpeming 2-8-0 number 18 which was the Very First Steam Locomotive to Operate on the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona is seen Idling with a short freight, which operated between 2008-2013. There is a mention of a future title with the 1910 Alco Built Consolidation Itself, But It'll have to wait as time depends.

In Recent Years, 1744 is Moved home to California where It'll be restored for service on the Niles Canyon Railway & operate on home rails Between Niles & Sunol just like 4-6-2 number 2472. To Close the Program, an encore shot of 1744 at the Upper/Beaman Tunnel was included as well as a Still image of the Cab inside the locomotive.

After the 1744 trips were finished, Camera operator Ronald Burkhard who was the manager for the Trains Unlimited tours traveled west to the Durango & Silverton for its innagural run of 315. But that's another story.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!