Battle for Donner Pass and
Across Donner Summit
Between Roseville, California and Sparks, Nevada lies one of the most difficult sustained climbs in American railroading, the Donner Summit route. This 140-mile stretch of formerly Southern Pacific, now Union Pacific, double-tracked mainline routinely challenges trains to 2.3 percent grades on its 85-mile eastbound climb to the 7,000-foot elevation at Donner Summit. In our new Donner Combo DVD you can experience three hours of thrilling Donner action in these two dynamic shows:
Battle for Donner Pass (1 Hour 17 Minutes)
Here is the incredible story of the Southern Pacific men and equipment that fought impossible odds to keep this historic mountain pass open through winter"s worst storms. This amazing saga takes you right into the cabs of the equipment and introduces the people whose job it was to keep the tracks clear. You"ll see the flangers and regulators, spreaders and bulldozers, rotaries and more! (Produced by Video Rails 1993)
DVD Special Features:
Our host and personal guide through this exciting presentation is noted railroad photographer and historian Richard Steinheimer. Heavy Southern Pacific trains use the original route built over the summit by the Central Pacific Railroad in the 1860s. After 120 years of continual use, the obstacles are still staggering. Steep grades, sharp curves, and cruel weather face the trains on their way over the Sierra Nevada. Helpers are required in both directions. You"ll see flangers and spreaders clear the line of accumulated snow. Freight and passenger trains roll over Donner in bitter storms and as clear skies brighten the surrounding snowcover. Witness the majesty of nature and the indomitable will that keeps the trains moving over SP"s Donner Summit! (Produced by Pentrex 1992)
DVD Special Feature:
In Color with HiFi Sound and Narration
Across Donner Summit
Between Roseville, California and Sparks, Nevada lies one of the most difficult sustained climbs in American railroading, the Donner Summit route. This 140-mile stretch of formerly Southern Pacific, now Union Pacific, double-tracked mainline routinely challenges trains to 2.3 percent grades on its 85-mile eastbound climb to the 7,000-foot elevation at Donner Summit. In our new Donner Combo DVD you can experience three hours of thrilling Donner action in these two dynamic shows:
Battle for Donner Pass (1 Hour 17 Minutes)
Here is the incredible story of the Southern Pacific men and equipment that fought impossible odds to keep this historic mountain pass open through winter"s worst storms. This amazing saga takes you right into the cabs of the equipment and introduces the people whose job it was to keep the tracks clear. You"ll see the flangers and regulators, spreaders and bulldozers, rotaries and more! (Produced by Video Rails 1993)
DVD Special Features:
- Two stereo soundtracks, one with the natural train sounds, the other with narration added. The viewer can switch the narration on or off at any time.
- Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.
Our host and personal guide through this exciting presentation is noted railroad photographer and historian Richard Steinheimer. Heavy Southern Pacific trains use the original route built over the summit by the Central Pacific Railroad in the 1860s. After 120 years of continual use, the obstacles are still staggering. Steep grades, sharp curves, and cruel weather face the trains on their way over the Sierra Nevada. Helpers are required in both directions. You"ll see flangers and spreaders clear the line of accumulated snow. Freight and passenger trains roll over Donner in bitter storms and as clear skies brighten the surrounding snowcover. Witness the majesty of nature and the indomitable will that keeps the trains moving over SP"s Donner Summit! (Produced by Pentrex 1992)
DVD Special Feature:
- Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.
In Color with HiFi Sound and Narration
🎞 DVD
TVD Price
$19.95
List Price
$29.95
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PRODUCT DETAILS
| DVD Item # | DONR-DVD |
| Runtime | 3 Hours, 17 Mins ($0.10/min) |
| Producer | Pentrex |
| Aspect | Full Screen |
| DVD UPC | 748268004155 |
| Shrink Wrap | Yes |
| Format | DVD |
| Region | 0 (Worldwide) NTSC |
| |
Customer Reviews
👍 6 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
The DVD is produced to a high standard and gives an excellent insight into the dedication of the crews as they struggle to keep the traffic moving over the pass in severe winter conditions. I would recommend part one of the DVD to any young person who is embarking on a railway career to see what is involved in this aspect of railway operation. If a 2011 production of this operation was produced it would interesting to see how things have progress in the form of machinery & operational practices.
Part 11
Very interesting to view the pass from a very dedicated photographer.
Finally - Pentrex please produce any future DVD's in HD !!
Part 11
Very interesting to view the pass from a very dedicated photographer.
Finally - Pentrex please produce any future DVD's in HD !!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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👍 4 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
Another great combo DVD. "Battle for Donner Pass" video happens to show this area in one of the snowiest winters in modern times. I was in the Lake Tahoe & surrounding areas this same winter & I remember how the snow just kept coming.You could witness how hard it was to keep the highways open, but this video lets you see the even greater amount of effort needed to keep a railroad open under these harsh conditions. The special equipment & technical methods needed are well explained--it even documents a "worst case scenario" & the rotaries needing to come out of an 8 year hibernation to get the line open. A great documentation of a an amazing feat. "Across Donner Summit" is equally well done.The history of the pass, sharp curves, steep grades & extreme weather are all showcased in an interesting manner. Richard Steinheimer is used to host this video & really adds a nice touch. This keeps it interesting & adds a personal flair. The Pass is documented in all conditions including winter to make very enjoyable viewing.
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👍 2 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
I think that the battle part was absolutely great, and how the camera team obtained permission to film this is a mystery to us UK types. The Health & Safety brigade here would have a fit if we were allowed to see ice-cycles being shot down and the use of explosives in tunnels/snow-sheds, and to see a crew re rail derailed stock/locomotives using planks of wood was great These scenes would be classed as commercially sensitive.
An excellent show in an area where snow can be a real problem.
An excellent show in an area where snow can be a real problem.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? Definitely.
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 5 of 5
I'd give this video eight stars if I could!! This video covers the original mainline over Donner summit before it was removed in the early to mid-1990's. Of course, when this DVD was made, Blu Ray HD definition didn't exist, so we have to accept the resolution that was available at the time. Another section that was reduced from two mainlines to one in the early 1990's was from Emigrant Gap to Shed 10. I have to think Union Pacific wishes they still had two mainlines all the way from Roseville to Norden still now that they are sending double stack trains over Donner since 2010. Perhaps traffic density will cause them to add the second mainline again at some point in the future.
Another reason I give this video such a high rating is Pentrex got access to the crews doing the snow fighting. As such, one gets their perspective and commentary as well as seeing first-hand what had to be done to keep the mainline open.
Additionally, the "Across Donner Summit" portion has a significant amount of snow removal flanger footage, and Richard Steinheimer provides excellent and accurate commentary about Donner Pass.
If you can get beyond the standard DVD resolution, this DVD is a MUST HAVE because the trackage shown in many parts of the video does not exist anymore.
Another reason I give this video such a high rating is Pentrex got access to the crews doing the snow fighting. As such, one gets their perspective and commentary as well as seeing first-hand what had to be done to keep the mainline open.
Additionally, the "Across Donner Summit" portion has a significant amount of snow removal flanger footage, and Richard Steinheimer provides excellent and accurate commentary about Donner Pass.
If you can get beyond the standard DVD resolution, this DVD is a MUST HAVE because the trackage shown in many parts of the video does not exist anymore.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 5 of 5
This is one of my favorite videos in my collection. Both programs do a fine job of presenting Donner Pass. I'd recommend this tape to anyone with an interest in mountain railroading or the SP. This is Donner at its best...
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
one of my favorites. I, of course, never met Richard Steinheimer however with this video I feel I have spoken with him.
very well done. even though its an older source material its still enjoyable to watch again and again.
very well done. even though its an older source material its still enjoyable to watch again and again.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Narration can be turned off.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
I purchased this DVD to replace my VHS copies that I purchased from Pentrex many years ago. The quality of the transfer is excellent save for a few places that had momentary gliches. I intend to purchase other DVD's to replace VHS copies that are showing their age.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
Great combo and videography! Across Donner Summit is a historial trek about the construction and past operations on the hill. Richard Steinheimer's comments are a highlight and spoken as a railfan not a historian. Kudos to Pentrex for blending history with 1992 rail traffic while maintaining interest. The Battle for Donner Pass was filmed by Video Rails and is without question their finest work. The cab ride derailment in deep snow and rerailment efforts are extremely rare yet highly captivating. The snow removal segments by flangers, spreaders and rotaries in seasonally extreme conditions show the behind the scenes grunt work that keep mountain mainlines open.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 5 of 5
Excellent DVD. Great value for money. Quality of filming is very good. An in depth look at the work and expense required to keep a high altitude line functioning during the Winter. Would recommend this to anyone with a general interest in Railroading
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 5 of 5
I have the original "Battle for Donner Pass" when it was made by Video Rail Productions. This is the classic and I would say all others look up to. This movie really shows what snow fighting is all about. My 3 year old grand daughter loves it which is why I bought this combo DVD. Across Donner Summit is also excellent especially with Richard Steinheimer's insights about Donner Pass.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
great combo pack. every scene a keeper. snow action hypnotic, especially rotary
shots.
shots.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Narration can be turned off.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
A very good video. I live near the old SP Donner route. I have seen the great Cab Forwards woking the Rotarys A sight to see. I remember the 1952 City Of San Francisco being trapped in an avalanch. Also there was a Cab Forward that was derailed by a snow slide and 2 crewmen were killed.
Over all, A VERY GOOD VIDEO. Brings back many fond memories.
Over all, A VERY GOOD VIDEO. Brings back many fond memories.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
Very interesting. We do not have the opportunities to see flangers, rotaries and spreaders in action. We also see that maintenance crew do have some very hard days with all that snow. As canadian we are incline to think of California as "very warm temperature, blue skies, beaches, but this video shows that there is also lot of snow in California.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? Definitely.
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 5 of 5
Definitely another Pentrex high quality DVD. I learned some things about Donner that I wasn't aware of after watching this video and I really recommend this video for your train library!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? Yes.
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 5 of 5
One of the best railroad movies I´ve seen in my life.
It´s fantastic so see all these hard working man and machinery fighting against snow masses at Donner Pass. This is a "must have" movie for all people interested in railroad movies!
GREAT!
It´s fantastic so see all these hard working man and machinery fighting against snow masses at Donner Pass. This is a "must have" movie for all people interested in railroad movies!
GREAT!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
Two great videos on 1 DVD. Goes into detail of railroad snowplowing up by Donner Pass and shows some problems. Great videos of trains going up and down these routes in summer.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
I really really enjoyed this DVD, it is before the UP/SP merger, spartan cab railroading.
In depth coverage of both Donner Pass and Snow Fighting Operations,if either of these subjects interest you this DVD would be worth buying.
The 2 films on this combo run over 3 hrs,and when it was done I cued it up and watched it again from start to finish.
In depth coverage of both Donner Pass and Snow Fighting Operations,if either of these subjects interest you this DVD would be worth buying.
The 2 films on this combo run over 3 hrs,and when it was done I cued it up and watched it again from start to finish.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Definitely.
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
Good overview of the Donner Pass area, how it works and what a challenge it is. I watched the 2nd video first and then watched the Battle for Donner Pass. Wow, what a great view of what goes on to keep a pass open in the winter.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Good.
Value: Overpriced.
Recommend? Definitely.
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👍 1 found this helpful
- 4 of 5
As a fan of big noisy machinery "The Battle for Donner Pass" has rolled a couple of times now... I like it when we get to see that they don't always use machines to clear ice!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Definitely.
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- 5 of 5
WOW! Not certain what to add to that about this amazing video. Part 1 is simply awesome watching the lengths the SP and it's men go to through to keep this line open for business. I have a whole new appreciation for what's involved and was somewhat shocked with the methods. The shotgun eliminating icicles was a shocker! In Part 2 the input from photographer Richard Steinheimer surely added hugely to the video. Great scenery and action.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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- 5 of 5
Donner Pass... 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) above sea level is a very challenging railroad pass, espescially in the winter with the extreme amount of snow. The Southern Pacific works extremely hard to keep the pass open, and hard work it is. Winter fighting equipment is put to the test and we see it all including the rotaries & bull dozers. And to give the show it's best is the scenic beauty of the region. Top notch production.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
Was this review helpful?