Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD
4.3 of 5 (7)

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This priceless collection of archival footage documents the trauma that Mother Nature and Murphy's Law inflicted upon Southern Pacific and how the railroad coped with these setbacks. Southern Pacific's own film crews created most of this material to display its efficiency and resourcefulness in times of stress. Now you can experience these challenges, from an earthquake on the San Joaquin Division in 1952 to the Roseville Yard bomb explosions of 1973. Flood, fire, derailments, and worse - here's what you'll see in Tough Times on the Southern Pacific:

Eel River Canyon. "The Christmas Flood of 1964" was a deluge that wiped out entire towns along the South Fork of the Eel River and either swept away nearly 100 miles of rails or left them dangling along the cliffs like giant garlands. It took 177 days to repair what nature did in hours.

Recovery of the 8946. In 1971, a derailed train crashed down the mountainside on Donner Pass. You'll see how 3 bulldozers and a pair of locomotives hauled the damaged engine uphill and back onto the rails.

Trestle Fire on the Great Salt Lake. In 1956, a fire burned 645 feet of trestle, putting the Lucin Cutoff out of service. SP and Morrison-Knudsen cooperated in rebuilding the trestle, and SP crews laid 650 feet of new track in just one week.

Earthquake on the San Joaquin Division. In 1952, the second most severe earthquake in California's recorded history damaged tunnels and destroyed tracks. Yet 25 days later, the tunnels were daylighted or by-passed and the tracks were restored.

Flooding along the Rio Grande. In 1954, one of the worst floods in Texas history stripped away tracks and soil, trapping the Sunset Limited. But within two days, 559 men and 88 pieces of equipment were at work putting back what nature had washed away.

Explosion in Roseville Yard. In 1973, a train carrying over 7,200 bombs caught fire and soon the bombs began to explode. Shrapnel flew for miles around. The town of Antelope was destroyed. Unexploded bombs were found up to a mile away. Remarkably, no one was killed and six days later SP's yard was rebuilt enough to resume service. You'll see the explosions and the remarkable aftermath.

DVD Special Feature:

Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.

54 Minutes
In Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration
Presented in Standard Definition 4x3 Format
No region code; can be played in NTSC DVD players worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-327-8
UPC: 7-48268-00610-4
Copyright Pentrex 2012

DVD
TVD Price:	$ 23.95
List Price:	~~$ 29.95~~
Live Stock Status:	IN STOCK!
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DVD Item#:	TTSP-DVD
Runtime:	54 Mins ($0.44/min)
Producer:	Pentrex
Aspect Ratio:	Full Screen
DVD UPC:	748268006104
Shrink Wrapped?:	Yes
Disc Type:	DVD
Region Code:	0 Worldwide NTSC

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

Don (Lynnwood, WA) on 2013-11-14 16:22:50.

People who found this review helpful: 1

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.

4 of 5

Great video on how the SP dealt with advsersity...amazing!

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

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

Don (Lynnwood, WA) on 2013-11-14 16:21:18.

People who found this review helpful: 1

4 of 5

Outstanding Video...Great shots of the B & O in the Glory days.

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

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

wpdude (Bay Area, Ca.) on 2013-11-06 09:11:33.

People who found this review helpful: 1

4 of 5

Interesting topic, most of which occurred before I was born, but I had heard about. Some of the footage is quite spectacular!

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

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

Ivar (Norway) on 2012-09-19 06:38:00.

People who found this review helpful: 1

4 of 5

Was what I espect, from description on the cover. I think this is very good for SP fans. Fine to see what they had to fight with, "in the good old days".

Additional remarks by Ivar:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

Craig (New Zealand) on 2012-05-25 22:51:18.

People who found this review helpful: 1

4 of 5

An interesting historical look at the SP. Good quality footage when you consider some was shot in the Fifties.A Testament to men and management who had to make tough decisions in Tough Times.
SP had it rough!!

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

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

TRAINMASTER (Different) on 2012-03-24 07:04:07.

People who found this review helpful: 1

5 of 5

Definitely a seldom covered subject. But I welcome this as it shows the most important side of railroading-the HUMAN side. I only wish the program had been longer, still a worthwhile addition to my collection.

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

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD

Steamboy (Revere MA US) on 2019-12-19 12:43:00.

5 of 5

Floods, Fires, Explosions, Derailments, & Expensive headaches that test the metal of a mighty railroad: Southern Pacific. This 2013 DVD features lots of spine tingling, heart breaking company films on how the SP tried to battle against mother Nature & Murphy's law. From the 1952 earthquake, to SD45 number 8946 being lifted on the rails again, to a live news flash of the Roseville bombs and destroying the nearby towns in 1973. While it's very important to work on the railroad to keep the trains rolling, and keep the times moving, This is a jaw dropping look back to the disasters on how and why the SP cleans up their big messes.

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

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD 4.3 of 5 (7)

Tough Times on the Southern Pacific DVD
4.3 of 5 (7)