Originally released on VHS, Pentrex has re-released the set on 2 DVDS (in one holder) for a low price. Steam trains, diesel trains, trolley/street cars, and toy trains are featured. The audio and video has been upgraded to DVD standard, but, it is not as clear as a video that was originally filmed in DVD resolution. There are 37 trips (16 one 1 disc and 21 on the second). The average length of time on each visit is about 6 minutes, 30 seconds. It's enough time to show the highlights of each stop, but, not much more than that. A great book to go with it is the 2011 Tourist Trains Guidebook from Kalmbach Publishing Co., featuring trains in the USA and Canada. I wish Pentrex would make another DVD disc featuring more tourist trains. Considering all the trains shown in the DVD (and the low cost of the set), I think this is one of the Best train videos I have ever seen. I recommend it to everyone who likes trains.

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

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great collection of rail and trolley video. I am a trolley/streetcar enthusiast and I live in New England. I go to most of the trolley museums shown every year but I like it because it helps me get syked to go! I recommend this to anyone!

Additional remarks by streetcarguy97:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

If you're interested in a quick overview of tourist railroads, this is a good value, with about 4 hours of video covering 37 tourist lines and railroad museums throughout the US. Each one gets about 8-10 minutes, so you see just the highlights. There is plenty of narration, and the presentation is more "touristy" than technical, so this is closer to a rail travelogue. It is also useful in deciding which lines to visit. And while there are dedicated videos available on many of the lines (e.g., Cumbres & Toltec, Cass Scenic), for many sites this is the only easily accessible video out there.

The downsides: this is a DVD-reissue of VHS video shot 1993-1995, so some of these sites may not be operating any more (though the historical documentation is good). And thus it is not a surprise that the video quality, while clear, is certainly not up to today's HD standards.
NOTE: Contrary to the listing by Train Video Depot, this is volumes 1-4. There never was a volume 5. That's obviously just a typo.

Additional remarks by WisconsinEric:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

great American train rides was my first introduction to pentrex (the first volume on vhs was at my local toy's r us in the 90's which I'm sad that there closing) and I didn't know there were more this two dvd set features all four volumes on 2 disc's disc one looks at place to vist on the west and east some of these no longer operate and some still do to this so this might help for anyone who wants to take a vacation to some of these tourist attractions

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

As a Railfan myself, this 4 part set contains lots of great railway visits even to this day, including some out of business destinations like the Yreka Western in the California/Oregon Border, The Blue Mountain & Reading in Hamburg since all of the equipment is still at the Reading & Northern RR in the Jim Thorpe Area, & the East Broad Top is still Bankrupt and gone forever since the end of the 2012 season. Some Gripes that I've been noticing, One segment at the Sierra Railway Features Barely Naked Girls taking a shower at the water tower uncut! Come on! You're supposed to be a Family Friendly Company! The other things are that Part 2 features mostly California Attractions & the Cumbres & Toltec, While 3 & 4 however are mixed with out of order chapters Scattering through New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland & some other states. Oh well. you get what they made.

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