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Museums are great, and railroad museums are the best. Pentrex has done a fine job showing the Steamtown Museum, and the facts that led to it. And there is video of the locos in motion which is great. And we get to see the special excursion trains on a 13 mile journey which is good. However.... Pentrex does not spend much time with the actual opening ceremonies themselves. I thought that the title of the video is slightly misleading, and would be better called "Grand Opening Weekend".

Additional remarks by rrvideoman:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

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.

Tourists trains and museums are a pleasant experience to learn. Wish they would show a little bit more.

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

In the pentrex version of this soon to be 25 year old videotape, the program starts with a look at the Lackawanna valley region of Scranton Pennsylvania which is located on the western end of interstate 84 (the eastern terminal for that highway is in old Sturbridge in Massachusetts). The population of that town is 79,000 more or less. A look at one of the streets in downtown is included, plus the once Lackawanna railroad station which is now a hotel, and a sign for the government operated tourist railroad. Next, the residents and visitors took a look at the roundhouse as Baldwin locomotive works shop switcher 26 is in the turntable moving only one coach, as well as a brief look at 261 in the stalls. It took more than 80 million dollars to build the complex and yard, but it has to be done. With the shop switcher gone, the turntable faces the position for 261 to take a spin. Everyone takes a good look at 261 about to take a cross over the turntable like a bridge, as it heads for the yard. Inside the 1902 roundhouse, there are artifacts, and photographs. At the technology section of the musuem, there are diagrams, and video clips for visitors to learn how Locomotives are operated, as well as mock ups.of the cabs for kids of all ages to enjoy. The size timeline of the steam engines are included from the tom thumb to one of the union Pacific surviving big boys number 4012 on display. More photographs on communications are included as well as murals of the constitution of the concrete bridges. A crewman is installing the finishing touches on whistle signals. In the 13 stall roundhouse, Canadian Pacific 2317 is being prepared for the weekend long festival. Sadly it operates from 1987-2010. Besides 2317, Canadian national 3254 is also fired up, and one of the nickel plate Berkshires number 759 is inside the stall. Of course 759 operates from 1966-1973. At the visitor center, there is a look At the photograph of the original Scranton yard before the big rebuild. Down by the yard, there are more engines on display. For example, Canadian Pacific 2816. Which thankfully the locomotive has not only moved back to canada, but it's also restored from 1998-2001. On the first day of July 1995, the men in military outfits are in a big brass band. After 1:00, the steam parade is underway. The first is shop switcher 26 with a sign on the front of the smokebox. The second engine is 2317. The third is 3254, which sadly operates between 1986-2012. The fourth is one of the visitors: Susquehanna 142, which was formerly number 1647 at the valley railroad company in Essex Connecticut. Today the 142 operates at the Delaware river railroad in Phillipsburg New Jersey, which is across the river from the Pennsylvania state line. The fifth is 261. Which of course from 20-25 years after this program was made, it'll never operate on fast mainline rails forever and ever along with 611, 4449, 3751, 4501, 2926, 765, and others due to Amtrak's worst president Dick Anderson creating the no steam specials and private cars policy. The sixth engine and the third visitor is former Gulf Mobile & Ohio 425 which used to operate on the Hamburg to temple Pennsylvania line, but now the blue Pacific is at port Clinton on the reading and northern. With the parade finished, there is a dedication ceremony that not only features a brass band, but also Boston and Maine 3713 in the parking lot. Meanwhile the Baldwin shop switcher is on the turntable, while 261, 142, 3254, and 425 are on display. While the water tower and coal hoppers are demolished, coal is loaded from a front loader, and water came from the fire hydrant. 425 makes a backup move. Prior to the grand opening weekend, 261 is waiting for its coal to be loaded at the CSX New castle yard. The date is Saturday June 24, although 261 left the twin cities on Tuesday June 20. Since then it traveled 900 miles. A map of 261's route for new castle to buffalo is shown. There are lots of curves on the Saturday chase as 261 is south of new castle. New castle is located east of the Ohio state line. A look at butler pa is shown as 261 passes by the hopper cars. Next, the engine is east of butler. Afterwards, the 261 crosses over the Allegheny river at mosgrove. Due to speed limits, 261 must travel at a slow speed with a whistle show. After crossing the bridge, 261 is at bells mills. Next, the engine is north of Du Bois. After a service stop, 261 rolls by the 1905 station at Ridgeway. On Monday June 26, 261 is being serviced at the CP yard in buffalo New York. The route from buffalo to Binghamton New York is shown. It's hard to believe that one of the rare sights for steam railroading is at a time where a Milwaukee road engine is in New York state tracks. Unfortunately, there are lots of slow freight traffic, and the locomotive is shown east of attica where a Canadian Pacific diesel is loaded behind the engine. A few miles down the line, 261 takes a bend at dale. Due to the nasty weather, the signals are down and will arrive at Binghamton at 5:00 sunrise. The following Tuesday June 27, 261 turns south from Binghamton to Scranton. The action resumes at hallstead Pennsylvania. The diesel has since been removed. On the rear of the train is an MKT private car. At Nicholson PA, 261 crosses over the tunnhannock viaduct built in 1912. Next, the engine passes by factoryville. On Thursday June 29, 261 is running light as it passes by the tower 60 bridge in Scranton. This is the longest trip for 261 at a total of 1500 miles more or less. Back at steamtown, the Susquehanna 142 is operating from Syracuse to scranton. A look at the map is shown. The date is Friday June 30. The action begins at Syracuse. The first scene is just along the highway as 2 diesels one old and one New are behind the 142 for the many coaches of the Southbound trip. Next the engine whistles at south Collingwood. Afterwards, 142 whistles at a bend through the forest at south Cortland. Then the train arrives at the conrail Binghamton yard limits. This is the first trip for E9 2400 which was previously used on the CB&Q. At Kirkwood, 142 whistles as one of the diesels toots it's own horn. Another look at the viaduct in Nicholson Pennsylvania is included. Scranton is 15 miles from the viaduct. Back on the opening day in Scranton, one of the specials for the 1995 NRHS convention held in Lancaster pa is on preparation more from Scranton to cresco. Power for this special, are a trio of alcos. 2 are from the Erie Lackawanna, while the middle unit is from the Delaware and hudson. Steam is not the only type of engine for railfans, but there are some who love the early also built diesels. The trio leaves Scranton at 8:00. In the forest, the diesels are under the signal bridge, then blares it's horn for the crossing. Next, the special arrives at Moscow. Afterwards, they pass by tobyhanna. Moments later, the diesels are running around the coaches at Pocono summit siding. Here the train will push the train 5 miles to pick up the NRHS passengers. Meanwhile, 2317 is on the first train of the opening weekend, as it whistles for Miller road. Behind 2317 is 2400. Next 2317 makes a stop at Moscow. The coaches came from 142. 2317 makes a runaround move as it heads back to the national site tender first. Back at steamtown, everyone is enjoying a good look at the yard. 4012 is on display next to the parking lot. Also at the parking lot is reading 2124. Thankfully a Quartet of the T1 class engines are still with us today. Another look at 3713 is shown, while 3254 is switching coaches. A visit to the full year long railroad museum wouldn't be complex without a visit to the shopping mall. A pedestrian bridge between the mall and the museum is used. High on the ramp, a bird's eye view of the yard is shown. A passenger train is waiting at the depot, as it is pulled by 261 in the going away shot as it heads for Moscow. Another look at the station now a hotel is shown. Afterwards, 261 is passing by the rear of the hotel as it takes the NRHS passengers back to Pocono summit. The engine is seen again at Elmhurst, as it is under the highway bridges. Next, 261 is passing by the station. Moments later, 261 is south of Tobyhanna. At Pocono summit, buses are taking them back to Lancaster, but before that happens, 261 is making some final runbys for the cameras. Back at steamtown, the regular train with 2317 departs after passing by the Lackawanna hotel. Again note the 2400 on the consist. 2317 is whistling at Elmhurst. Back at Scranton, 425 is also operating on its own train. But it needs to be serviced. Then it leaves the yard limits passing by the hotel. Next, 425 is at Elmhurst. This is the only pentrex video to feature the blue pacific. The program comes to a close as 425 arrives at moscow, and would make a runaround move tender first to steamtown.

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

This DVD is "ok". I feel as though the Goodheart video that was done on this was much better. This does have some footage that's not in the Goodheart video, but there's not a lot of time spent at the opening ceremonies. While I will put this in occasionally and watch, out of the DVD's that I own from this event, it's only my second favorite (out of three).

Additional remarks by BigJim4Life:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.