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I have actually visited the Hull-Oakes Sawmill several times in person. The DVD does an excellent job of presenting the actual operation. Obviously visiting the mill does not allow you to see the woods/logging operation. The DVD captures some of their modern logging & conservation practices which a visitor would never get a chance to see.

Additional remarks by JWA:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

I live right next to what was once a steam powered sawmill so I was very interested in this video. It brought back lots of the memories that I'd heard from workers at that old mill. The whistle here was heard all over town and folks used it to regulate their workday.

Although I'm a train fan, I'd leave the first part about the train out. After all, this is supposed to be a video about a steam mill.

All in all an excellent production and an historical document in itself.

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

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.

Railroading due to ignorance and the lack of knowledge of non-rail fans and non railroaders is more than just mainline action of long trains working between larger cities. It is a service industry complimenting large and small industrial works. This video is a documentary on one of the smaller industries that few of us understand or know a lot about. The actual railroad segment in this video is realitively small, but very important. Trains are seen at the beginning, and near the end, but few in between. The video focuses on the operations of the saw mill, from the forest and cutting of the trees to the finished product. We have a grand tour of the 27 acre facility from the arrival of the logs to the planers at work. Included is the underground work of the boilers that feed the stream, to the disposal of the sawdust and wood products not able to be used for lumber. The narrator does a fine job also telling us some of the history of how this sawmill became what it is today, along with the history of some of the machines in use. You will not be able to walk away from this as you watch everything from trees falling in the bush to the "pond monkeys" on their tiny boats moving logs around in the pond, to the final move of the products on a train pulled by an old GP-9 in the old "Black Widow" paint scheme. Totally fascinating from start to finish. Definetly a favorate in my collection. A must have for all railfans and non-railfans. Rated 5/5.

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"!

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.

I really enjoyed the way the movie was laid out. It followed the process from start to finish.

Additional remarks by Lloyd:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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.

I bought this DVD in June 2015. Don't know why I never reviewed it but after having just watched it for the umpteenth time decided it was time. I agree with all the good things other reviewers have written. This is one fantastic DVD. If you enjoy seeing HOW something is done, this DVD is for you. Every time I watch it I see something I missed on previous viewings.

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

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.

One thing to watch those mill hands toiling away to get there daily lumber quota, another thing to
actually work in those low paid, and often dangerous, sweat holes.
It would be fair to say that the Hull Oakes Mill is typical of many mills
built in the 50's and 60's that used waste by products to generate steam to run the big breakdown rigs, and other utilities that were to be found in many of the bigger timber mills of that period.

Full marks to Hull Oakes in not only preserving the integrity of the Mill,( the early chip burner excluded) but also their use of the holding pond, rather than conventional skids for
the incoming logs. As well as re-establishing the railhead link to the Mill after that stretch of line was faced with imminent closure. There's also other unique, and distinctive, items of the H & O mill plant shown in this presentation, that hopefully will be allowed to continue operating for a good while yet.

Maybe this video is not every ones cuppa tea, but 'Steam Powered Sawmill' proved to be ( for myself at least). A fascinating and comprehensive study of how the timber industry of used to be, before computer wizz kids, and the big money cats, scuttled that aspect of our timber heritage industry as well.
Comes highly recommended.

Additional remarks by Billythebeliever:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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.

Great coverage of the mill but could not hear the narration.

Additional remarks by Wayne:
Narration: There was no narration.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

A fascinating documentary on saw milling plus the added bonus of seeing the mill still operating on steam with a excellent presentation by Ron Simpson. I Would recommend this DVD to anyone who has a interest in Rail, steam or the logging industry.

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

I like anything connected with logging railroads and sawmills. This is the first video I have seen that spends this much time in the sawmill. I even picked up some ideas for modeling a sawmill complex. I'm sure you will watch it more than one time.

Additional remarks by Robert:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

Part 1 of the DVD had some pixilated spots and sound pauses.
Throughout in various places the action when moving from right to left was jerky.

Additional remarks by Thomas L. Zane:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

Enjoyed a look back into the past of sawmill'n immensely. I've worked in the sawmill industry ( & logging ) since 1977.The "little sawmill town" of Huttig here in Southern Arkansas has depended on the mill here for it's very being since the very early 1900's,it's one of the largest mills in the South & this little ol town still depends on it to this day ( as does my family ) As a young'n I can remember the 3 smoke stacks,black smoke & ash filling the air,the sparks at night,the waste burner doing the same,& the old shotgun carriages & 9 foot bands that I so loved & craved to operate someday.My dad used to take me as a boy up in the sawmill & I loved it.Now days I run the primary small log breakdown ( Optimil ) at the plant but I've done just about everything a fella can do in a large mill.Although I enjoyed so much watching the "old ways" ( especially the headrig ) I can say this,after seeing how hard some of them fellas have to work,watching video monitors & AC in the cab is nice.Video was as good as the smell of pine sap on a nice cool Fall mornin.Pleasure doin business with you folks.God Bless......Steven.....

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

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.

The operating railroad to the mill was quite interesting however the workings of the steam sawmill was totally fascinating and engrossing - a definite "must have"!

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

Although we live in UK most of the year, we are frequent visitors to Oregon, a state for which we have great love and affection. Seeing this DVD advertised on YouTube gave me the opportunity to buy it and have a look at it before we go over again and visit the location of the main part of this DVD - the Hull-Oakes Lumber Company - the last steam-operated lumber mill in the western USA.

The opening sequence of music and misty morning mountains in the Eastern Cascades is enough to bring a lump to the throat - I know, it did to me.

The DVD takes you from the yard in Corvallis, all the way to the mill site, travelling most of the way in the W&P transfer caboose...

On arrival there are many sequences of historical interest, showing you the how and where of the whole kit and caboodle, almost, but not quite, up to the present day. There is no wasted space on THIS DVD, it is all detail the whole nine yards - everything that makes the Hull-Oakes operation a valued and valuable part of our industrial and historical heritage - from the actual logging operations to the folks who carry it all out - in incredible detail.

This DVD should be required learning for ANY history major - industrial activities based on natural resources that were commonplace throughout the great forests of Eastern and Western North America and Canada, and now this steam-powered sawmill, one of hundred of such enterprises, is the only survivor.

This wonderful DVD gives you the opportunity to relive the past and enjoy the present, as many times as you care to watch it. One day, it too will be history.

But not yet.

tac foley
www.ovgrs.org

Additional remarks by tac foley:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

I was curious, so thought I'd take a chance. very happy with the result. very well done, very informative, and I can't seem to stop watching it. Highly recommend this .

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

If you have any interest in how forest products are made and want to be amazed at some hard working folks and their steam machinery, then get this dvd. The first part of the dvd does not get discussed much in the reviews I have read and it is a great view of an older Diesel Locomotive and line that is just as intersting as the rest of the dvd. I have watched this DVD multiple times already and look forward to watching it again.

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