Alaska Vol 3 Giants in the Dark DVD
 4.4 of 5 (5)
Giants in the Dark -
Winter on the Alaska Railroad
The third in our 3-volume DVD series about the Alaska Railroad brings you a view of Alaskan railroading like no other, for it carries you along the rails in the dead of winter, when temperatures are minus 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and you're lucky if you see five hours of daylight. Photographer Patrick Hunstiger set up his studio lights and cameras to capture this incredible action in 1994. Now, with this new DVD release from Pentrex, you can experience powerful diesels challenging the cold, snow, and darkness, guiding freight and passenger trains through the frozen frontiers of the Alaskan wilds.
Winter alters the way the Alaska Railroad does business. A busy summer week of up to 100 trains a week will drop to 25 during the winter. However, the spectacular drama of railroading in Alaska is undiminished. GP40-2s, GP49s, a GP30, F7-B, E8-B, and MP15 are seen spewing show from the rails, sliding through the darkness while snow flurries cover the cabs, and hauling their trains past ice clogged-bays and jagged white peaks. Approaching the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood aboard the Ski Train is a magical sight for the mountain is lit for night skiing, but for the most part what you'll see is the bitter cold, the heavy storms, and the dangers facing the men and equipment in a land of perpetual darkness. It's an extraordinary insight into a type of railroading that few dare to face.
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| DVD Item#: | ALW-DVD | | Runtime: | 1 Hour, 00 Mins ($0.40/min) |
| Producer: | Pentrex |
| Aspect Ratio: | Full Screen | | DVD UPC: | 748268005138 |
| Shrink Wrapped?: | Yes | | Disc Type: | DVD |
| Region Code: | 0 Worldwide NTSC |
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Alaska Vol 3 Giants in the Dark DVD trackside (Missouri) on 2013-11-14 13:17:20.
Pros - The video contains good Alaskan scenes of trains trekking through deep winter snows. A great additive is the radio chatter between train crews and dispatchers and is the highlight of the DVD. All videos should incorporate such tranmissions. The hot wheel set-out and engine brown-out communications are unique and rare. Cons - Even though Pentrex puts their name on this DVD the videography was done by someone else and is somewhat home made.
Additional remarks by trackside:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value: Seemed a little high, but not too bad.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.
Alaska Vol 3 Giants in the Dark DVD steve (MD) on 2013-10-30 15:09:21.
 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.
Railroad videos are almost always made under "ideal" conditions; everybody loves a sunny day...this video is such a welcome change! Trains take on their deepest character in rain, dark, and snow. Wish we could get more of these!
Additional remarks by steve:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!
Alaska Vol 3 Giants in the Dark DVD drgwtrain on 2009-10-14 09:19:46.
I thought the narration was weak, geared more toward younger viewer and very limited on the trains info. Good views of trains working in winter climate, didn't give much about challenges of winter railroading, which is what I was looking for. Would suggest purchase only if on sale.
Additional remarks by drgwtrain:
Narration: A little bit too much.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Overpriced for the amount of enjoyment I got out of it.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.
Alaska Vol 3 Giants in the Dark DVD rrvideoman on 2008-09-30 16:59:22.
Railroading is always a challenge, be it in the warmth of sunny Florida, or the mountains of British Columbia, or the scenic wonderland of Alaska. Add in the elements of Mother Nature, and the challenge increases. Alaska, in June it's the land of the midnight sun, but in the winter 5 hours of daylight is a good day. Bring in to play temperatures below -50F, and snow, what we have is a major challenge. It takes tough men to do the work, but it does get done. This is one of the most interesting videos You will ever see. Being that a lot is in the dark, and snow covered, the scenery is not as apparent as the previous volumes, But a purchase of this video will be a highlight of any railfan's collection.
Additional remarks by rrvideoman:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!
Alaska Vol 3 Giants in the Dark DVD Brian on 2008-05-05 03:23:29.
This is now in my top 5!!! Highly Highly recommended!
Pentrex videos are all excellent. This is different.
I want to hear more of the "scanner" talk like this has.
Alaska railroading in the dark and below zero
Additional remarks by Brian:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!
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