This DVD mainly covers the passage of three of the regular trains over Raton, with more limited coverage of other trains. For me the most interesting part was the trip of the South West Chief, which includes some excellent shots from inside the cab as well as information on the (then) new AMD power and the problems of stalling on the grade. The section on the regular coal train was also fascinating, showing and explaining the challenges of moving heavy loads over the pass. Although quite an old film, these extra features, on top of the many scenic shots of this well known spot, made this still a worthwhile view.




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

Working myself in the documentation business (Aviation) I can only concratulate to the well prepared and beautifully realized DVD.
Very good filming and sympathetic comment.
Also very reliable ordering and delivering service. Thanks!

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

I had this dvd on vhs & figured it was time to update. While the picture quality is not up to video shot these days, it was a great value.

Additional remarks by run8anderson:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

This is a very good RR DVD!

The image and sound quality are excellent, and the subject matter is very interesting. The setting is 1994, which predates the merger with BN by two years, so we get to see locos in the Santa Fe badging. We see the old red and silver war bonnet paint scheme on many locos and the blue and yellow colors on others.

We see a coal train split in two and hauled up the west side of Raton Pass with three head end locos and three helpers on the rear. The grade is 3.2% near the summit. The power is lashed up for a return trip to get the other half of the train, and we watch as these cars are also hauled over the summit.

Next we get a nice cab ride in the westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief, which stalls going up the 3.5% grade on the east side of Raton Pass. The train had to stop for five minutes to let the main alternator cool off.

This was some fine railroad action!

Tom

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

Awesome big power slugging up the grades.good scenery Great

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

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Raton Pass, New Mexico.... Sant Fe puts on a great show with a wonderful parade of war bonnets. Lots of pushers seen on the heavy coal trains. Amtrak joins the fun and we are treated with a cab ride. And some un-expected rail action along the way. This is another great Pentrex production.

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

just got done with this before the mergers with the Burlington northern the snata fe railroad puts on an incredibly show of coal and fright trains as well as Amtrak especially when the chief had to stall on the grade the santa fe had wanted to sell the line but couldn't find anyone to buy so it's a good thing they didn't I sometimes wish today's railroads were still like this as they were in the 90s in my opinion another great video from pentrex they know how to make quality railroad videos

Additional remarks by chris collins:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!