Cameras from Diverging Clear Productions visited Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee to capture the sights and sounds of steam locomotives in operation. This DVD is an overview of our video shoots in 2013, with approximately 15 minutes devoted to each of four locomotives.

The program begins at the Monticello Railway Museum in central Illinois, where restored Southern Railway 2-8-0 #401 has been a star attraction since 2010. The locomotive is seen in operation during September's Railroad Days, and scenes from aboard the locomotive's tender and brand new Stair Tower, a replica interlocking tower dedicated during this year's event, are featured in addition to trackside views.

From Illinois we head to Pennsylvania Dutch country, where former Norfolk & Western 4-8-0 #475 operates on the Strasburg Rail Road. We filmed the locomotive in operation over the course of five days, and highlights of these scenes are presented in this program. Trackside footage includes closeup shots and long vistas of the locomotive in action, and a unique scene as the full size #475 and a pint sized 4-4-0 pace each other at the East Strasburg station.

We next head to southern Tennessee, where restored Southern Railway 2-8-0 #630 pulled a series of unassisted mainline trips between the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at East Chattanooga and Cleveland on the former Southern line to Knoxville. GPS on board clocked the 630 at speeds up to 43 miles per hour, and the 1904 2-8-0 get plenty of chances to work on the line's roller coaster profile.

The last segment takes us back to Pennsylvania, where Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 #765 took to the former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline from Enola to Gallitzin at the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. The locomotive hauled three round trips over Memorial Day Weekend, and highlights of all three days are seen. The program ends at Horseshoe Curve, as the 1944 Lima blasts up the mountain with a little help from Norfolk Southern's Pennsy and Conrail heritage units.