I liked the fact that the cameraman built a 90 pound microphone and reel-to reel taping setup that he lugged to shooting spots, giving us real sound today, rather than the dubbed-in sound most DVDs feature. 50 minutes of runbys, and the photog didn't start filming until the train was getting pretty close. A downside is that the tripod was often aimed low, and the shots show a lot of cinders and ballast when they could've shown nore "pillars of smoke in the sky". For the most part on the runby filmings, the sound starts earlier than the picture, as the recording began before the filming. The film quality is pretty sharp 16mm, and there are some nice fall scenes, as the photog went in October (both 1957 and 1958). Whether you like A's or Y's pulling (or pushing!) massive coal drags (or sets of empties) over the Blue Ridge, or FAST J streamliners whizzing by over manicured rights of way, or switching, there's something for all here. After the 50 minutes of action, along with some (not TOO many) interviews with the photographer (who is clearly reading off a cue card just offscreen, kind of comical), there is also about 50 minutes of audio-recorded night train material, with pics of still shots to give some visual. This last part is only for the hard-core fan. Still, all-in-all, this DVD will keep the attention of the type of fans who like to see things that sadly can't be seen anymore EXCEPT on DVDs and old graymount Kodachromes.

Additional remarks by Bob:
Narration: A little bit too much.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST N&W STEAM VIDEO ever produced!!! The quality and sound are outstanding. The content is fantastic and very interesting. There are alot of on the train shots from up on top of the engine and tenders. There are alot of run by shots at locations on the Blue Ridge grade. This is a must have DVD!!!

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

While I have only watched the original videotape and not the DVD, which I trust is a full and complete tranion of the said videotape, HOOTERS ON THE BLUE RIDGE is a magnificent history in color and true-synchronized, actual stereo sound of the steam operations and hooting whistles of the N&W. The video includes on camera commentary of Henry Peterson who captured images and sounds. I have the great please of knowing Mr. Peterson and his attention to accuracy and the details of his work.

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

I owned the VHS version and put it to rest to try the dvd which was just as good in quality if not better. It is easier to step back or ahead and I will likely watch at least once a month if not more indefinitely. When I was about 9 yrs old I went to sleep everynight for a couple of weeks hearing the real thing near Beckley WVa. It was haunting then and this brings it all back to me now.It puts vision where I only had my imagination back then as to what they looked like. N&W/C&O,,,all sound same to me. Reverie?

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

It's a good overall picture of N & W. This DVD highlights Norfolk & Western's self-built steam at its best.

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

In this 1998 videotape, the program starts with An interview with the cameraman himself. Look closely for the Lionel blue streak in the background. Before we get to the vintage films, a map of the line from Kermit to Williamson iager & Bluefield is shown.

The first locomotive shows K class 4-8-2 number 101 heading an eastbound shifter in Naugatuck on October 9, 1957.

On The same day, a class A 2-6-6-4 is on a manifest out of Williamson.

The following day October 10, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2139 heads an eastbound freight at Ada West Virginia which is just outside of Bluefield.

On the same day at the same location, the J class 4-8-4 is on the Pocahontas while carrying 5 baggage cars & a railway post office car. Note the union Pacific coach on the rear.

On the same day at the same location, another Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2137 heads a westbound freight.

On the same day at the same location, J class 4-8-4 number 605 leads the westbound Pocahontas while following behind the 2137. Here the engine is on a heavy train while passing by the signals.

On the same day, a visit to Bluefield was made As class Y3 number 2040 moves around the yard.

On the same day, an eastbound coal train is led by another Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2130 as it passes alongside the river east of the narrows, which is 30 miles east of Bluefield.

On the same day at the same location, a westbound doubleheader is shown with engines 2153 & 2164. Note the 2 little red cabooses on the rear.

Another look at the map is shown, this time it's from Christiansburg to Lynchburg via Roanoke. First comes a westbound freight with Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2180 on Christiansburg hill during 10-10-57 as it pounds the triple track mainline.

The following day October 11 1957, we are at blue ridge grade near the namesake station as an eastbound is shown with 2146 in the lead while another Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2152 pushes from the rear.

On the same day at the same location, 2152 has been turned around as it heads back to Roanoke carrying only the water car.

On the same day, an unidentified Y class 2-8-8-2 heads a westbound freight just east of blue ridge depot.

On the same day, an A class 2-6-6-4 is West of the depot on a westbound freight while climbing uphill.

On the same day, J class 4-8-4 number 602 leads the westbound powhatan arrow on blue ridge.

On the same day, one of the most popular future famous survivors of American steam locomotives: J class 4-8-4 number 611 is on the eastbound Pocahontas at blue ridge station, with a railway post office car in the consist.

On the same day, K class 4-8-2 number 123 leaves blue ridge station on train 8. Note the Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac heavyweight coach in the 2 car consist.

On the same day, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2058 is on the blue ridge shifter, as it is between the tank car up front, & a boxcar with a little red caboose on the rear.

On the same day, Class A 2-6-6-4 number 1214 heads an eastbound freight at blue ridge station with 2152 doing pusher service once again. Note the meet with another steamer in the going away shot.

On the same day at the same location, J class 4-8-4 number 613 follows behind the freight as it powers the Tennessean from Bristol to Lynchburg, where diesels from the southern railway could handle the rest of the train.

On the same day at the same location, a doubleheaded coal train with Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2177 & class A 2-6-6-4 number 1242 is shown with a steam turbine by the name of John Henry's pushes from the rear.

On the same day at the same location, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2150 is on an eastbound coal train with 2152 pushing on the rear once again. Look closely for a meet with another engine going in the opposite direction.

Afterwards, another interview with the cameraman is shown. He talks about the transition from still images to home movies & special microphones as evidenced by a black & white photo showing the equipment at the depot.

Back to the vintage films however, another look at the map is shown as Class A number 1219 leads a westbound mixed freight at crew yard on October 25, 1958.

3 days later on October 28, we're back at Naugatuck as a westbound doubleheader with class A 2-6-6-4 type engines 1232 & 1217 leads a coal train while negotiating the bends.

On the same day, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2136 is on the Kermit shifter. Here the locomotive goes tender first while carrying a little red caboose & a tank car.

On the same day, Class A 2-6-6-4 number 1222 leaves Williamson.

The following day October 29, we are at Williamson depot as S class 0-8-0 number 206 is switching some loaded hoppers around the yard.

On the same day, a westbound doubleheaded 192 car coal train is shown with class A engines 1207 & 1202 as they depart Williamson.

The following day October 30 (the day before Halloween), an unidentified Y6 2-8-8-2 is near Elkhorn tunnel after pushing a freight while it's On a caboose hop.

On the same day at the same location, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2155 leads an eastbound mixed freight to the tunnel while another Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2191 pushes from the rear. While heading for the tunnel, 2155 is having some mechanical problems.

At the 34 minute mark, we fast forward the clocks to 1994 as 611 is on the same location but from the other side of the tracks. Here the J enters the Elkhorn tunnel on a fan trip with no diesel helpers in sight.

Back to the vintage films at the 36 minute mark, it's already the first day of November 1958 as we are back at blue ridge grade near the namesake station while Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2142 handles the eastbound shifter.

Afterwards, some quick still images are shown & on the same day at the same location, a trio of steamers on the solid coal train with class y number 2174 & class A number 1210 are doubleheading in the lead while one of the surviving N&W steam engines: Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2156 pushes from the rear. 2174 operated on a fan trip with 1240 in 1959 & today 2156 is standing silent at the national museum of transportation in Kirkwood Missouri, although it was on a 5 year loan at the Virginia museum of transportation in Roanoke.

2 days earlier on October 30, another doubleheader is shown with class A 1210 & class Y 2157 in the lead with another class Y number 2171 pushing from the rear at blue ridge depot. Then it quickly cuts to the modern era for a cab ride on one of the coal burning locomotives.

Back to the vintage films however, it's already Halloween 1958 as Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2152 runs light while quickly climbing uphill. Note the yellow flag on the tender.

On the same day at the same location, Class A number 1241 leads a westbound train 85.

On the same day, at the same location, Class A number 1226 leads an eastbound mixed freight with Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2158 pushing on the rear of train 84.

On the same day at the same location, an eastbound shifter with Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2142 switches to the westbound track for the work hard behind the depot.

The final film clip of this program before we get to the bonus still images shows Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2158 pushing an eastbound mixed freight on the same day, followed by an eastbound doubleheader with 2174 & class A number 1238 in the lead while 2158 pushes on the rear.

With the films finished, another interview with the cameraman is included.

Onto the 30 minutes of bonus still images, we heard y class 2-8-8-2 number 2192 on a mine run in Williamson as night falls on October 28 1958. Afterwards, a still image of a j class 4-8-4 is being stored for the night, then we see Y class number 2066 being serviced near the shops. Next up is 2137 & 2062 being serviced While there are sounds of steam & even a car starting its own engine. Either a J class 4-8-4 or a K class 4-8-2 makes a head on shot in Williamson, then comes some still images of the roundhouse while we hear the sounds of U class 2-8-8-2 number 2159 on a westbound freight in rawl West Virginia on the same day as the mine run with 2192. On the same day at the same location, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2143 leads a westbound freight, then we get to hear Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2186 running light at the same location while heading west. Moments later, a look at the original brochures are shown While we hear Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2195 leading an eastbound coal train while departing Williamson on 10-28-58. Some advertisements of the N&W are shown. Especially the maps of the railroad itself. Next a look at one of the books are shown While we listen to a doubleheader with Y class engines 2145 & 2155 as it leaves the yard with a freight heading for Gilbert. According to one of the books on the N&W, the Y6 engines have 300 pounds of boiler pressure, with 57 inch driving wheels, & measures at 114 feet 10.5 inches long. The simple tractive effort is 152,206 pounds while the compound tractive effort is 126,838 pounds. The driving wheels weigh in at 522,850 pounds. The total weight of both the engine & tender is at 961,500 pounds. They also carry 26 tons of coal & 22,000 gallons of water. A still image of 2158 pushing on the rear is included, followed by a doubleheader on a coal train. Afterwards, a single engine with mechanical problems leads a freight, followed by another still image of the engine pushing on the rear. On 10-29-58, a class Y is on an empty eastbound hopper train out of Williamson. While we hear the sounds, let's look at the information on the class A 2-6-6-4 in a research book. They have 70 inch driving wheels, have the same boiler pressure as the Y class 2-8-8-2, & measures at 121 feet 9 1/4 inches. The tractive effort is at 114,000 pounds. The 70 inch driving wheels weighs at 432,350 pounds. The total weight for the engine & tender together is 951,600 pounds. They carry the same amount of coal & water like the class Y's. A still image showing another doubleheader is included with class A number 1238 in the consist of the freight. A different doubleheader with class A 1207 makes a going away shot, & we see a still image of another class A number 1241. 1217 is being serviced in the yard. While an 0-8-0 is drilling loaded hopper cars, let's look at the information on the J class 4-8-4s. They have 70 inch driving wheels, has a boiler pressure of 275 pounds, & it measures at 109 feet 2 1/4 inches for both the engine & tender. They have a tractive effort of 73,300 pounds, While the 70 inch driving wheels weighs in at 288,000 pounds, the locomotive & tender weighing in at 872,600 pounds, & carries 32 tons of coal with 20,000 gallons of water. A still image of 612 in the Williamson yard at night is included, followed by 600 near the Roanoke shops. On the first day of November 1958, 2174 & 1210 are on an eastbound coal train again with 2156 pushing on the rear. We listen to the sounds as a lone Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2133 leads a coal train with 2156 pushing on the rear While the credits roll. After the credits, this program was dedicated to the memory of the cameraman's wife.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

Disclosure, I knew the photographer (Henry W. Peterson). I love steam trains, not an expert but as an engineer and history buff, I just love the history, contributions, power, and amazing machinery of steam trains, and the men who ran them. I can say that Henry Peterson, aside from being a very competent engineer and good friend, and my mentor when I first got into high fidelity sound systems, was the most meticulous and intense person when it came to filming or recording sound, so I believe this is about as good as it gets for real-time recordings, using the best contemporary film and sound recording technology of the day. I have the VHS tape and wanted to ensure I could still play this for myself and show others for years to come, so getting the DVD version. It's beautiful, and for lack of a better term romantic, and while maybe not perfect, it's great to watch and listen to over and over. I don't miss the ash and pollution, but these trains and their crews were amazing, beautiful and and worked hard, and we'll not see the like of them again. This captures them.

Additional remarks by Brian Boden:
Narration: There was no narration.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!