In the decade they were operated, Union Pacific's 8500-series Gas Turbine Electric Locomotives earned two nicknames: UP dubbed them the "Super Fleet" for obvious reasons as they were the largest, most powerful locomotives ever employed by the railroad. More often the Turbines were referred to as "Big Blows" due to the deafening roar of their engines. Thirty of these GE-built giants were delivered to the UP between 1958 and 1961. Used primarily between Ogden, Utah and Green River, Wyoming, where the tough grades of the Wasatch Mountains required UP's sturdiest power, these monsters could log up to 10,000 miles a month hauling heavy mixed freight and coal trains. The 8500 series were permanently coupled six-axle units running on C-C trucks, and their prime mover was the most powerful ever used in a locomotive. The operating weight for the A and B units combined was close to 850,000 pounds, yet they could attain speeds of up to 70 mph!
Video Rails take you back to the 1960s with dramatic footage of UP's Turbines at work. First and second generation Turbines are briefly introduced and then the real action begins at the Ogden and Riverdale Yards where you'll see them being serviced, watered, sanded, and fueled. You'll follow an assortment of trains past Weber Canyon, Uintah, Peterson, Morgan (where you'll see fantastic pacing sequences), Devil's Slide, Henefer, Echo Canyon, Castle Rock, and Wahsatch and be treated to thrilling scenes along this scenic route before they reach their eastern boundary at Green River.
The highly corrosive Bunker C fuel that powered the Turbines led to higher than anticipated maintenance costs and with the rising price of fuel oil at the end of the 1960s, the Turbines became too expensive to operate. The entire fleet was traded, sold, or scrapped by 1970. Not one operating unit remains. Yet you can still enjoy the thunder of these legendary powerhouses in this exciting presentation!
DVD Special Feature:
* Chapter Menus provides instant access to program segments.
1 Hour
In Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-228-X
UPC: 7-48268-00511-4
Produced by Video Rails 1992.
Released on DVD by Pentrex 2008
Video Rails take you back to the 1960s with dramatic footage of UP's Turbines at work. First and second generation Turbines are briefly introduced and then the real action begins at the Ogden and Riverdale Yards where you'll see them being serviced, watered, sanded, and fueled. You'll follow an assortment of trains past Weber Canyon, Uintah, Peterson, Morgan (where you'll see fantastic pacing sequences), Devil's Slide, Henefer, Echo Canyon, Castle Rock, and Wahsatch and be treated to thrilling scenes along this scenic route before they reach their eastern boundary at Green River.
The highly corrosive Bunker C fuel that powered the Turbines led to higher than anticipated maintenance costs and with the rising price of fuel oil at the end of the 1960s, the Turbines became too expensive to operate. The entire fleet was traded, sold, or scrapped by 1970. Not one operating unit remains. Yet you can still enjoy the thunder of these legendary powerhouses in this exciting presentation!
DVD Special Feature:
* Chapter Menus provides instant access to program segments.
1 Hour
In Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-228-X
UPC: 7-48268-00511-4
Produced by Video Rails 1992.
Released on DVD by Pentrex 2008
🎞 DVD
TVD Price
$23.95
List Price
$29.95
Stock
✓ IN STOCK
Ships MONDAY if ordered now. (PST)
+ Add DVD to Cart
⭐ Earn 119 reward points
with this purchase.
Sign up free.
★ Write a Review
PRODUCT DETAILS
| DVD Item # | VR045-DVD |
| Runtime | 1 Hour, 00 Mins ($0.40/min) |
| Producer | Pentrex |
| Aspect | Full Screen |
| DVD UPC | 748268005114 |
| Shrink Wrap | Yes |
| Format | DVD |
| Region | 0 (Worldwide) NTSC |
| |
Customer Reviews
👍 2 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
As a Turbine enthusiast this was a must have, this DVD makes a good companion to UP's Mighty Turbines. At times the footage is a little grainy but since its super-8 and Turbine footage being rare I can excuse that. If you truly love Turbines this will be a must have as well.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Definitely.
Was this review helpful?
👍 2 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
I worked on these turbines at the Salt Lake Shop, and really enjoyed the dvd. I am a retired machinist and still a railroad buff, although I don't get to see any trains in Hawaii, I miss them. Thank you for giving me some remembrance of the good old days.
Lawrence T Walter
Lawrence T Walter
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
Was this review helpful?
👍 2 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
I remember seeing these turbines as a kid when my family drove across the States on summer vacation and they were always exciting to watch. My dad would often pace them for a few miles in the car and I'd take photos out the window with my trusty Brownie camera. This video really caught the action and magnificent scenery of Utah and brought back a lot of good memories. I found the photography to be just fine and the variety of subject matter/locations to be very interesting - I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in the UP and western railroading in general.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
Was this review helpful?
👍 2 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
Yes as the others said the picture quality is not the best, whereas the other UP mighty turbines DVD is great quality! Yes i know it is older footage, but in the transfer to DVD it is not too good, and in time the footage does get boring, it's the same thing just over and over, just the engine number changes. After watching the other DVD on UP turbines, I would save your money and pass on this one. howie.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
Value: Fair.
Recommend? Only if really interested.
Was this review helpful?
👍 2 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
A very good program dedicated to the monstrous UP Turbines. Lots of dramatic footage of the third type of turbines that pulled freights through Echo and Weaver Canyon. The video begins by showing images of the previous two turbines, and even some footage of turbines doubleheading with steam. Then we see the giant locomotives being serviced in the yards and shops, and how they were fueled and sanded. We follow several different turbines through the 62 mile route, with numerous pacing sequences, trackside views and zoom shots from afar. While some of the diesels that were used as helpers burned out along the route, the Turbines just kept going and going. While some of the footage is a bit grainier than one would like, the images are truly awesome. The sound in this video is absolutely incredible. I had to turn down my HT speakers so my neighbors wouldn't complain! If you like big vintage diesels, this is a really great show!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
Was this review helpful?
👍 1 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
I liked this, wish we had some good cab views of it though. the footage is really old so its hard to judge it on that. some really interesting stuff.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Definitely.
Was this review helpful?
👍 1 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
Iliked the dvd but i wanted to hear those monsters roar a little longer and a little louder Thanks big Mike
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
Was this review helpful?
- 5 of 5
Turbines.... more of Union Pacific's experiments that met an early grave. Powerful, and heavy... these monsters could work hard. This video, although old, does a fine job showing the power of the engines working for what they were built for. In the end, fuel cost and maintenance issues cut their lives short. A very enjoyable video to watch. History claims another group.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? Definitely.
Was this review helpful?
- 5 of 5
With Jim Knight�s outstanding narration, this 1992 video chronicles these unique locomotives hauling really long freight trains of the golden spike state. Plus there is tons of service action at the Ogden yard and roundhouse, plus a couple of steam shots which were used for the history of these units, as they�re already shown on other Video rails titles: battle up Sherman hill, Union Pacific big boy collection from 2001, Big Boys & challengers from Greg Scholl in 2008, and several others. Overall, good program to enjoy again and again.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Fair.
Recommend? Definitely.
Was this review helpful?
- 2 of 5
Contents are interesting but quality of picture was terrible as they used film that shoot in the 60'. This some time makes me a bit too boring to keep on watching till the end.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Poor.
Value: Seemed a little high.
Recommend? Only if really interested.
Was this review helpful?