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Pentrex documented nearly every part of the Rio Grande as it existed in 1986, two years before it acquired the Southern Pacific. Gorgeous shots show mountain backdrops with trains in the foreground. The entire Moffat Route is documented, including the Moffat Tunnel. Even the metal curtain, lowered for ventilation of the tunnel, is shown. Cab rides in all seasons are shown as well. Many types of trains race along the Rio Grande, including automobile trains, mixed manifests, coal trains, and the at-that-time-new Railblazer. Speaking of autorack trains, Pentrex shows the unloading of these trains; look at those cars from the 80's, including Ford Tauruses and Broncos. Also, the Joint Line is documented. Two special highlights include a cab ride through the Royal Gorge and a look at Tennessee Pass. Passenger movements include Amtrak's California Zephyr and the Rio Grande Ski Train. (The footage of the Ski Train is historic. In 1986, when this video was filmed, heavyweight cars were still being used. A year later, Tempo cars from Canada would be purchased and implemented.) One more passenger extra is a ride on the observation platform of one of the Rio Grande's business cars. A special treat is the complete Royal Gorge cab ride, including the Royal Gorge suspension bridge and the Hanging Bridge. But Pentrex threw in one more bonus: Ski Train footage from 1984, with F-units on the point. The footage is not quite professional, but the old time consist is amazing! (You can access this footage by moving your DVD pointer one more point above the play point. I just discovered this footage by accident!) This is the most comprehensive collection of Rio Grande action. I highly recommend it to railfans everywhere!!

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

This video is one of my favorites in my collection. You'll see trains on the infamous Tennessee Pass line and even a cabride through the Royal Gorge. You'll see the SD50s Rio Grande purchased to Chessie specs leading coal trains (With their great sound K5LAs blaring) as well as BN and KCS power tossed in as well. 5/5

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

This program has 2 1/2 hours of footage combined from several sources:

The main program (1 hour 52 minutes; narration)
Cab Ride from Pueblo to Parkdale (23 minutes; narration)
1984 Rio Grande Ski Train (15-20 minutes; no narration)

Interestingly for people who owned the VHS version, the DVD version has completely different narration.

Here are several highlights of the program:

Many of the trains in the program have plenty of locomotives for power since they have mid-train and rear-end helpers. One of those trains was significant; that train's motive power comprised 14 locomotives! 5 of the 14 were lead units (3 of them being MoPac SD50s), 6 mid-train helpers, and 3 rear-end helpers on Tennessee Pass.

There is a cab ride footage from Denver through Moffat Tunnel to Glenwood Springs.

Footage of the Ski Train that no longer runs today.

The Joint Line with foreign power (i.e. Burlington Northern, Santa Fe, 2 Kansas City Southern locomotives).

Scenes of Amtrak's California Zephyr with interesting consists. For example, one Amtrak train filmed had 4 now-outdated F40PHs with 5 private cars returning from the AAPRCO convention in Milwaukee in 1986. Several other scenes had a Rio Grande locomotive leading Amtrak trains since there were 2 Rio Grande business cars on the rear.

In conclusion, although the program is outdated since it was produced in 1986 this footage along with the total duration of the program is well worth it.

Additional remarks by Nikhil Murthy:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

I have Denver & Rio Grande Western and the only comments I would add to the other review is this video focus pretty tight on the diesels in consists there are very few scenes were you can clearly see the individual freight cars. I use books and video's to learn more about the freight cars which Rio Grande hauled, and this video tends to cut away quickly as soon as the engines are out of the picture, which is unfortunately the way it was shot. Mostly scenes where more than the engines are visible the shot's are pulled back far enough to see much in terms of consists. Otherwise, the video is an excellent resource for those interested in D&RGW in 1986.

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

Before the D&RGW purchased the SP, this video hi-lites some of the most scenic regions in the USA. Great job showing the heavy trains at work in Tennessee Pass, then the Royal Gorge which a scenic wonderland to see. Love the cab ride through the Gorge. Companies seen �. Amtrak, BN, MP, SP... etc. Excellent video.

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

Video great, but too much time spent on Denver end and not enough on Soldier Summit to Salt Lake City - indeed almost nothing in the Wasatch..

Additional remarks by Philip Dickinson:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.