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Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
 4.5 of 5 (6)

Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD Charles Smiley Presents D-144
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Visit Tehachapi from the mid-60s to the mid-90s -- plus related regional locations such as Taylor Yard, Barstow Yard, Richmond Yard, Colton Crossing, Cajon Pass and the building of the SP Palmdale cutoff.
Learn the intertwined history of all the featured locations that are all part of the greater Tehachapi story. See all the great power and vanished scenes,of pre-merger railroading at its best.
We trace the history of how, and why, two railroads used the same mountain pass and how the line was built. Don't miss the wonderful vintage views of how SP opened the "Palmdale Cutoff" to better access Tehachapi.
Our visit to neighboring Cajon Pass also brings lots of Santa Fe vintage freight action -- including a number of Passenger-Mail trains behind beautiful Warbonnet F7 and PA power.
Many diesels were tested by the SP over the years to work on the demanding Tehachapi line in both "point", and especially "helper" service. Many failed to meet SP's expectations and we review those years in the 60s and 70s. See the demise of ALCO and the problems with early GE U-series diesels and how GE improved their products to eventually eclipse EMD in locomotive sales.
This is a giant slice of railroading, with history, maps, narration -- and most of all, wonderful trains.
These are scenes and visions that have all been swept away by the super-mergers (and laws effecting railfans) in 1995 and 1996. See how railroading was conducted before the work rules and equipment were all re-defined.
This video consists of 1-hour and 32-minutes of vintage Kodak movie film shot from 1957 to 1988 -- plus an additional 1-hour and 06-minutes shot on video in the early 1990s. This is really two complete productions in one presentation.
All this is with great sound in stereo. Don't miss all the flying sand, vertical smoke, noise and powerful action that made these two railroads once standout as the most popular two out west.





DVD
TVD Price:$ 22.45
List Price:$ 24.95
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DVD Item#:D-144
Runtime:2 Hours, 38 Mins ($0.14/min)
Producer:Charles Smiley Presents
Aspect Ratio:Full Screen
Shrink Wrapped?:Yes
Disc Type:DVD
Region Code:0 Worldwide NTSC
Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
MP_37 (southeastern US) on 2014-08-11 15:40:56.

People who found this review helpful: 3

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.

  •  4 of 5


Very complete video, and as it's billed as really two productions in one, it is just that. It begins with some latter day ( early-mid 90s ) ATSF and SP coverage to whet our appetite, then has a long segment of vintage 70's era look, many at locations that are off limits now. Then another nice long look again in the mid-90's. The image quality on the vintage coverage is good, the modern; very good. The usual CSM excellent maps and historical notes are present as well. My favorite was the 90's era as I'm a big fan of the ATSF's warbonnets and yellowbonnets and of SP's more modern "speedletter" scheme.

Additional remarks by MP_37:
Narration: A little bit too much.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
Pensfan (Lansing, Michigan) on 2014-08-16 17:32:50.

People who found this review helpful: 2

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.

  •  5 of 5


An epic video. I felt like I was back in college listening to a professor teach a well thought out and informative lesson. Highly recommended!

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

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Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
Trainmanjeff (Orlando FL US) on 2017-05-27 05:46:20.

People who found this review helpful: 1

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.

  •  5 of 5


I always find that any Production from Charles Smiley is at the top of my viewing list. This one is no exception. Great narrative, crisp videography and quality, and for the price, a bargain with two and a half hours of viewing. For any rail fan, regardless of the time period or Railroad of interest, these are great summaries of the subject matter and are of interest to young and old alike.

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

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Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
mySP7377 (San Diego CA) on 2014-09-17 13:46:12.

  •  4 of 5


A nice DVD that covers Tehachapi through several generations it brought back a lot of memories of the late 1970s through the 1980s, "wow" how things have changed. the DVD is made for some modern digital equipment and a number of times from super 8mm film, there are a lot of good old GE U-boats seen on both the SP and ATSF mixed with other power from the time period .Though some of the super 8mm film can be grainy (Digital or Blue Ray restoration would clean this up nice) you cant go out and simply shot this stuff today, I would defiantly recommend this DVD.

John Schmeling
SP/UP Railroad (Retired)

Additional remarks by mySP7377:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
Charley Mann (South Carolina) on 2014-08-16 06:28:34.

  •  4 of 5


Another great show from Charles Smiley. Lots of older GE's even one scene of a U30CG, and a number of F45's. Wide variety of motive power, which keeps the viewer entertained. Quality of film is for most part very good, only a few rough scenes.

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

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Tehachapi - SP and Santa Fe Era DVD
run8anderson (Basking Ridge, NJ) on 2014-07-20 07:41:19.

  •  5 of 5


If you're a Tehachapi railfan......you NEED this dvd. If you're tired of big GE's and endless stack trains.....you need this dvd. Although archive footage (I believe), this was a great production to watch and listen to the informative narration. You can misss with this one!!

Additional remarks by run8anderson:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

Did you find this review useful?