Since I live in Phoenix,
I better get up their and
ride that train....
The problem with older 'taped' programs,
sometimes the DVD will copy all the flaws
of the 'master' tape.

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

Enjoyed the movie overall. I had hoped to see a bit more of the Grand Canyon itself. The movie is more for the Tourist interest more than the Railfan. The Steam runbys are interesting, but maybe a little to much depending on a persons interest of Steam trains. It did not excite me to the point where I would want to make a special trip the region, but if ever in Arizona, may consider a trip on the Train.

In this 1998 videotape/2005 DVD, the program starts with a look at the main canyon itself. The park itself is 1900 square miles, and the formation started 6 million years ago back when dinosaurs and cavemen took charge of the world. Some of the clips from the opening segment was later shown in steam to the Grand Canyon with 3751 from 2002. Next the passengers disembark from the observation car at the northern terminus of the line, followed by the sign, as well as the map of the line. It�s early in the morning at Williams Arizona near milepost 0.98 as Chicago Burlington & Quincy 2-8-2 number 4960 backs out of the shops at 6:45 pacific time (9:45 eastern time) with a tank car for water as it heads underneath the I-40 bridge. The Williams station opened in 1908. A look inside the depot is included as everyone is watching a Wild West show from outside. Note the jigsaw puzzles for sale between ticket booths 4 & 5. Meanwhile, the final preparations are made for the all day trip to the south rim, as 4960 is being serviced before it leaves the yard. A brief history of 4960 is included. Which includes a mention of the huge rebuild in 1996. With a red mat under the footsteps of the coach, and also the last gun battles aimed at the villains, it�s all aboard time as the clock strikes 9:30 in the morning. Note that 4960 is wearing a peanut sized whistle throughout this program as well as LS&I 2-8-0 number 20 on display. Tank car 874 is carrying the water, as there is also a generator car, 4 coaches, 1 dome, and an observation car. CMO of the railroad Bob Franzen is at the throttle of the Burlington Mikado. Willaha station is at milepost 37.7. Some maintenance equipment is on the siding as it greets with 4960. The AT&SF once had a bunk house at this location. The speed limit at this point is 25 miles per hour, the maximum speed on this tourist line is 40. 4960�s own top speed is more or less than 60. The elevation of Willaha is at 5800 ft. At the end of the line, the rim of the canyon�s station is at milepost 63.7. The log station is still operating in an average American railroad. The station was built in 1910. As 4960 arrives, a couple of deer are shown at the tracks enjoying their walk until the interrupted noise of the smoking beast is getting louder and louder. Once everyone got of the train for a 3.5 hour layover, as well as enjoying lunch at the area, spending a night or more at the lodge, or exploring the more than 6 million year old canyon itself, 4960 and it�s consist would have to be turned on the wye as the first back up move is through the level crossing. The conductor of this train is looking carefully at the tracks. The identities for this train includes car 2093, domeliner 2094, main coaches 2152, 2089, 2117, and 2121, with generator car 460. The observation car came from the Canadian National, domeliner 2094 coconino was built for northern pacific and Amtrak, and the main 4 coaches were built for the southern pacific. Another look at the main canyon itself is included. With the coaches turned, and after maintenance and servicing was done, 4960 recouples to the train for the southbound trip home to Williams at 3:15 in the afternoon (6:15 eastern time). Note that 4960 is leaving the tank car behind. On the return trip, Anita Arizona is located at milepost 44.8 as 4960 is picking up the pace. The milepost itself was named after Anita Lombard-the daughter of the principal investors of the original Grand Canyon railroad. There was once a spur to the mine which was ripped up in 1905. A look at the notice sign is included. Unfortunately, the dangerous bandits on horses are forcing the entire train to stop so that they could get onboard and steal all of the passenger�s money at milepost 13 near Bly. As the clock stroke 5:30 (8:30 eastern time), 4960 arrives back at Williams as the sun is going down. Again, listen for the peanut whistle. More scenes of the Grand Canyon museum in the Williams depot is included. The following day, a former Canadian National/Via Alco FPA-4 number 6773 From 1959 are operating the all day trip to the south rim of the canyon. Behind the Alco is chopped nosed GP7 number 2134 which was built for the Santa Fe. Some cab scenes onboard the alco is included as more coaches are being restored and repainted. Looking ahead from the eye of 6773, it goes under the I-40 bridge. Williams Arizona also has a different station, but it�s for Amtrak�s Southwest Chief which operates from Chicago to Los Angeles via dodge city Kansas, la junta Colorado, and Albuquerque New Mexico through the Santa Fe trail. 6773 is passing by an inactive 4960 through the shop tracks as it goes under the BNSF mainline at milepost 1.3. The overpass was built in 1960 and and was part of the seligman subdivision. On the other side is milepost 1.4 in the Kaibab National Forest. From the ground, 6773 and 2134 are at milepost 9 near red lake. Listen for the early diesel horn on the Alco. Afterwards it negotiates a bend at milepost 20.5 near Quivero. Inside the coaches, there is some sing along Fun going on as well as a look at more riding footage. After passing willaha and Anita, the diesels are climbing Apex grade between mileposts 45.7 and 52. This is the longest grade on the Grand Canyon line. 15 minutes down the right of way, coconino Canyon is between mileposts 54 and 58.1. Here it negotiates an S curve. At last the 2 diesels arrives at the south rim of the canyon as the clock strokes 11:45. Many passengers can spend the night at the El Tovar hotel, as well as the look inside the hotel built in 1905. More scenes of the canyon itself is included. After turning on the wye, it�s time to go home as the clock strikes 3:15. At pronghorn ranch road near milepost 4.5, an inspection vehicle is getting out of the thunderstorm. The thunder and lightning from the sky are both seen and heard as 6773 and 2134 are quickly getting their passengers back to Williams as fast as its wheels could carry. With the storm in the background, the diesels arrive back at Williams as the clock strikes 5:30, and also the sun is still setting. The next day, another look at the Williams depot is included, which contains another look at engine 20 built in 1910 as well as engine 29 built in 1906, a Jordan spreader from 1915, and 4960�s original CB&Q tender. The original tender was to small and rusty. At the main shops while 4960 is getting some service is Engine 18 also built in 1910. Number 18 was the very first steam locomotive to operate on the 1989 revival. After the 2005 or 2006 seasons of the Grand Canyon railway came to a close, number 18 operated for one year on the Mt. Hood railroad in Oregon, and since 2008 it still operates on the Rio Grande scenic railroad on the La Veta Pass line in Colorado. Plus some southbound trips to Antonito to connect with the Cumbres & Toltec. During railfest day, both the 18 and 4960 are doubleheading to the south rim of the canyon, but before that happens, a tour of the modern shops are included. Sister engine 19 is at the MGM grand adventure theme park in Las Vegas. The modern shop is measured at 16,000 ft. Also inside the shops is 6773�s sister Engine 6793. 6793 used to operate for a couple of years on the Potomac Eagle in Romney West Virginia. Outside the shops, an interview with Bob Franzen is included. With the tour of the shops completed as well as the interview, at night photo session is shown at the 40 minute mark of the video. The following day, a photo runby was performed at Pitt Arizona near milepost 6.5. Cab scenes on 4960 during the back up move is shown. At milepost 17.8 both the LS&I consolation and the CB&Q mikado are whistling through the reversed S curve, as it carried 5 coaches and observation car called the chief. Another photo runby at the curve is included. Inside the coaches, a walk inside is included, as the train heads for the next photo location. Plus there is a cab ride on number 18. The next photo location is At The entrance to the national park. At the yard near the south rim, the number 18, 6773, and 4960 are having a 3 way side by side photo opportunity. 4960 will be serviced before doing the honors of pulling the southbound special, while number 18 and 6773 are responsible for the Williams flyer in the afternoon. The first scene shows 4960 smoking up a storm at milepost 56.8. Next it performs 3 runbys at milepost 55.1. Afterwards, it continues down the line south heading home to Williams, beginning with 2 more runbys at milepost 53.6. Later, 4960 approaches willaha once again, as it picks up some speed. There is also more cab footage aboard the engine. Next 4960 whistles through the abandoned rock house, then it�ll have to wait for number 18, 6773, and 2134 to pass by. With a generator car, 6 coaches, and domeliner 2094: the coconino. The sun is setting as 4960 makes one last runby of the day: milepost 2.5 at Williams. The program comes to a close as telephone numbers for both the Grand Canyon railway and the national park is included.

All in all, this 1998 videotape/2005 DVD is a great look at what one of the American Southwest has to offer for both Railfans and tourists alike. Of course 4960 is still operating even to this day. While some of the other engines in this program have since been moved to different railroads.

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