Before the SP merged with the UP Pentrex had filmed the SP's Central Mainline. It's great seeing SP trains in action before the merger with the UP. Shame that the SP is a fallen flag.

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

Beautiful production of a variety of SP trains and motive power in picturesque California settings. Narration is sometimes cut over locomotive noise, but it is only a minor detraction. Probably my favorite SP video from Pentrex.

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

I recently found this on VHS cause I could not pass up the price And I must say this video is really great if you Love Southern Pacific Railroad or wonder what it was like back in the 90's you will love SP's Central California Mainline

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

A nice look at SP just before the end. By the middle 90's SP started looking really good again, contrasting the mostly grubby look of a few years earlier. This video is a nice look at SP's hot trains running fast on nice track with their newer widenose power ( SD70's & Dash-9 GE's ) and cleaner older power. They never looked better to my eyes. Shooting locations were good with many interesting angles and the usual excellent camera work and video quality one can expect form Pentrex. Unfortunately, as another reviewer has noted, the narration was too heavily applied, or mis-timed for the runbys. It did mar some GREAT runbys as the narration ran on and on hushing the drone/roar of the approaching power when it could have been held till the power passed. Alas the narration can not be selected off, and I even tried getting into the DVD's files to see if their was one for narration I could tempoarily remove or delete. No luck as it seems it's integrated. At least it affects only the first third of the video, timewise.

In any case, most of the video is enjoyable and all of it looks great.

Additional remarks by MP_37:
Narration: Way too much!
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

You don't have to be a Southern Pacific fan, or a fan of California to enjoy this fine video. There is plenty of action for all fans to enjoy.

Through the California central agricultural heartland, there is excellent scenery, long trains, and a great variety of power, including some shortlines, with some vintage engines in service. There is a good variety of GE's and EMD's, including tunnel motors which add to interest. The narration is very informative, especially for those of us who are not from the region, and are interested in learning more about it. In addition is also some screen graphics helping with information.

A great video of a Fallen Flag and days gone by. Keep an eye out for some surprises. There is a few in this one.

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

This video is shot with the usual Pentrex style, excellent camera work and crystal clear images, however the narration was way overdone with the commentary talking right across the sounds of the engines in almost every shot especially in the first half of the show and I thought there was way too much useless information with it as well. A lot of older second generation locos and a great show apart from the overdone narration.

Additional remarks by wheelo:
Narration: Way too much!
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.