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Skip this One !!! This DVD is way over priced for the amount of time you get to see the train action and the previews at the end of this DVD are just about as long as the main event itself. Yes its well photographed and has great narration after all its a Pentrex what can I say, and the 40 Minutes makes for a nice "filler" DVD in case your group doesn't want to go for another two hour DVD. As such the train action is restricted between Cable and then the Tehachapi Loop nothing past the Loop. Drop a bunch of the previews add another ten minutes of train action covering Cliff, Bealville to Caliente and this would have made for a perfect little filler DVD for your show. It should only be $ 9.95 at its regular price (maybe) I would be embarrassed to advertise this DVD at 29.95 and after viewing it I cant image someone paying 29.95 for this DVD and not wanting to return it. Skip this one and buy another full length Pentrex DVD at 9.95

John Schmeling
SP/UP Railroad (Retired)

Additional remarks by mySP7377:
Narration: Just enough.
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.

In this recently turned 25 year old program, it starts with a look at the loop itself which is at an elevation at 3000 feet, followed by A map of the route from Bakersfield to Mojave as well as a map of the loop itself. The first train shows train SFRCH leaving tunnel 9 as it enters the big loop with Santa Fe warbonet 644 in the lead heading East from Fresno to Chicago. This train has 4 more units: 2 warbonets, & 2 yellow and blue diesels. Afterwards, a look at tunnel 17 is shown which feature marks around the tunnel. Train PRICH leaves the tunnel as a quartet of warbonets with number 581 in the lead takes charge as it heads from Richmond to Chicago. 2 helpers are in the middle: warbonet 666 a dash 9-44CW & blue & yellow unit 5048, an SD40-2. Moments later, we are back at the big loop as train SRICH with warbonet 841 leaves tunnel 9. This 5 unit lash up has 3 warbonets: 2 cabs & 1 cabless booster unit, & a pair of blue and yellow units. The mixed freight is on top of the loop as it waits for the container train to clear. The main loop is located at walong. There are 3 helpers in the middle: 1 warbonet, & 2 blue & yellow SD40-2S. From the west end of tunnel 9, Train SCHRI heads from Chicago to Richmond with warbonet 655 in charge. This freight has 2 more warbonets: 1 being SD75M 223 which was brand new to the santa Fe before it's merger with the Burlington northern a few months later, & a blue & yellow unit. Next up is an eastbound extra on the southern Pacific with unit 8537 in the lead as it passes by milepost 350.7. This 5 unit freight had piggyback loads with engines 8695, 8032, & 7806 with a cscx 8002 in the lash up. Halfway into the short program, the same freight is now at the big loop itself. Moments later, we are at walong siding on top of the loop as train QRIAL from Richmond to alliance yard in fort worth Texas heads east with warbonet 640 in the lead. This 5 unit Texas bound freight has a trio of blue & yellow units with one being number 5252 that is a former Amtrak FP40-2, the other being another warbonet number 579. Moments later, another train follows behind with 947 in the lead. This 5 unit lash up has 2 more warbonets & 2 more blue and yellow units. Tunnel 10 is at the east end of walong siding. It was built in 1917. Leaving the curved tunnel is a 5 unit helper lash up which 3 are from southern Pacific while 2 more are from Rio Grande. Back at walong siding, a westbound extra with 9778 leads a 4 unit doublestack. The second unit number 9708 still wears the cotton belt logo. A lone tank car brings up the rear. A cross lies on the hill as it pays tribute to the 2 railroaders who lost their own lives on May 12 1989 about less than a week after 4449 & 844/4 paid a visit to southern California for the 50th anniversary of los Angeles union station. That train wreck of the 80s can be shown in tragedy on cajon pass. Back on tunnel 10, another southern Pacific extra heads west as it leaves the portal with 3 units in the lead. A lone baby animal looks for food in the grass as the train descends the grade while heading for the loop. The third unit is still wearing the cotton belt logo. Moments later, train 899 with a pair of blue and yellow units heads west for the loop at walong as it heads from Barstow to Richmond. It's led by 5111 & 5286. Meanwhile, train QRIAL heads east from Richmond to fort worth with warbonet 210 in charge. The 2 Santa Fe trains make a meet. This Texas bound 4 unit lash up has 3 warbonets & a blue and yellow unit, While 666 & 5048 are in the middle once again. During the closing credits, a mention of Tehachapi from 1994 is heard which is due for its conversion to DVD in the future.

While these footages were recorded a few months before it's merger with the Burlington northern, it'll still be a quick watch to enjoy the action on one of Southern California's most interesting hot spots.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.