California Steamin 3751 and 2472 Meet at LA on DVD by Valhalla Video
armchairrailfan on 2009-05-26 22:44:49.
People who found this review helpful: 4
3751 was the Santa Fe's first 4-8-4, so to me it seems quite fitting that it is the one that was restored to operation. 3751 was also another notable first – Baldwin's first 4-8-4. It was much more powerful and efficient than what at that time was Santa Fe's latest and greatest. SP 4-6-2 #2472 is also a product from Eddystone PA. UP 0-6-0 #4466 appears in one short segment.
<p>Of particular interest on this DVD is 3751's first trial runs after restoration was completed in 1991. 3751 was restored at the Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana CA which is now the location of the California “Auto Club” Speedway used by NASCAR twice a year. The first scene on the DVD is 3751's first excursion, an ATSF Employee Recognition special in 1992. SP 2472 is shown on the September 1992 Pacific Shore excursion, which features the Cuesta Grade on SP's coast line between LA and San Luis Obispo. The 3rd event on this program is 3751 and 2472 meeting at Mission Tower near LAUPT (a similar meet with UP 8444 and SP 4449 is well documented on several DVDs, but this is the only video of this meet).
<p>Narration is minimal but informative. Location markers are included for many scenes. The photography for the most part is very good, but some pacing scenes do not show all of the side rods with the front of the engine just about centered in the frame, and the car's door post frequently blocking part of the view of the engine. The color has an overbearing yellow tint for a few minutes on the first leg of the 2472 run and the 2nd scene of 3751's trial runs. Still, considering the historical nature of the 3751 runs, this is a “Must Have” for ATSF and Baldwin fans.
Additional remarks by armchairrailfan:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!
California Steamin 3751 and 2472 Meet at LA on DVD by Valhalla Video
Steamboy (Revere MA US) on 2020-09-06 19:46:18.
People who found this review helpful: 1
First the program starts with 3751 climbing the grade in late August of 1992 on its way to Chicago and back as A trio of warbonet Dash 8-40 BWs number 840, 842, & 844 (a reference to the never retired union pacific northern), then we see 2472 carrying Rio Grande coaches on its way to los Angeles, followed by 4466 wearing a peanut sized whistle at Sacramento in May of 1991.
Once after the opening titles are finished, we see 3751 at Claremont California on August 29, 1992 as it heads west for the preparations of the transcontinental journey to Chicago and back. Besides, Valhalla, other producers like video rails, pentrex, & Greg Scholl were also there for this once in a lifetime event. Next the oldest operating 4-8-4 is at Pasadena which was the original headquarters for Pentrex before being moved to Indianapolis in 2017. Behind 3751 is a baggage car for tools, a pair of blue & yellow diesels, & lots of empty flatbeds on the rear. A repeat of the opening scene is shown as 3751 is at green river California the following day August 30. Multiple Santa Fe employees & their family members were only booked for this transcontinental journey. Listen to the original peanut sized whistle as the 1927 Baldwin built 4-8-4 heads for the Columbia street crossing at riverside. Moments later, 3751 makes a meet with a westbound freight at San Bernardino, which was the original home of 3751 before it was moved to the Amtrak Redondo junction roundhouse in los Angeles in 1999. Near Cajon pass, there is some pacing included beginning with a run by the local golf course. Again, listen for the peanut sized whistle which was replaced with a 6 chime whistle in 1995 or 1996. With pacing finished, the camera films the locomotive over the bridge while driving on the road, then some people wanted to see the steam special at Cajon junction, which is taking the north track that was built in 1913. Afterwards, 3751 climbs for the summit of the pass at Alray which includes some automobiles roaring offscreen, as it whistles for one of the tunnels. More pacing is included between Victorville, & oro Grande as the oldest operating northern picks up some speed. On one scene is passes by some Rio Grande hoppers with a union pacific boxcar, then it later passes by some quarry elevators. With pacing finished, the microphone picks up the wind as 3751 approaches for Barstow. Here, the locomotive makes a meet with a B40-8W on Amtrak's since been discontinued desert wind between salt lake city & los Angeles. Nowadays, it's just the southwest chief. Arriving at Barstow, the engine would be serviced while at the same time, the Harvey house station is still under restoration. All the chasers & visitors are pleased to see 3751 more often than the everyday diesels. With everyone back onboard, 3751 heads for needles as it goes through the Mojave desert. At the same time while leaving the depot, an eastbound freight with 5 blue and yellow units leave the yard, before 3751 whistles for the mainline and also for the Mojave desert. This is as far as the Valhalla crew would go to film 3751 on its transcontinental journey, While video rails & GSVP captures the locomotive for not only to Chicago, but also for Topeka Kansas during its railroad days weekend where it'll meet up with union pacific challenger 3985 which was After the once largest operating steam locomotive in the world heads for San Jose during the 1992 NRHS convention in July, & before it was transformed to clinchfield 676 while on CSX tracks in November. We'll see more of 3751 later in this program.
Moving on to 2472, the 1921 Baldwin built 4-6-2 is on the Pacific shore excursion to los Angeles on September 12, 1992. The coverage of this soon to be 100 year old locomotive begins at king city. Between 2472, & The Rio Grande coaches with one from union pacific & another from CB&Q, a pair of diesels are sandwiched in the middle for extra power, & braking concerns. Next, The 2472 crosses over the 4 bridges east of Bradley at milepost 201. Afterwards, the special is at the 2.2 cuesta grade while heading for San Luis Obispo. In no time at all, the 2472 arrives at San Luis Obispo where it'll spend the night. This scene is shown from the overpass. From 2008-2015, 2472 used to operated on the niles canyon railway. Next day September 13, 1992 finds 2472 arriving at LAUPT as it passes by mission tower. The locomotive is also carrying the daylight painted water tender, which was borrowed from 4449. Once at the station, 2472 would be on display for a week.
On Thursday September 17 1992, 2472 finally meets 3751 for the very first time after the oldest operating northern concluded it's transcontinental journey to Chicago. Before that happens, 2472 whistles for a meet with Amtrak's Surfliner which was led by F40 number 222 as it carries a baggage car & 6 coaches, then the soon to be century old 4-6-2 backs into the bridge near mission tower. With the track cleared, a rare meet with both the restored in 1991 engines perform a whistle meet. 2472 was the first to be fired up in april, While 3751 was fired up in August. Again, this was an all Valhalla exclusive. 2472 rings the bell while crossing over the bridge as some people are trying their best to avoid blocking the action. While 2472 comes to a stop, a Norfolk southern diesel appears on the right side of the screen as it is far from the east coast. Now it's 3751's turn to crawl to the junction. At last, the rare photo session was underway as the crewmembers from both locomotives make a short meet & greet. Moments later, 2472 switches directions, While 3751 tests the peanut sized whistle as it moves forward while crossing the diamond, before it could allow the meet between 2472 & Amtrak's coast starlight with a trio Of F40 locomotives: 293, 292, & 309 heads from its own coach yard to the station for the preparation of the northbound trip to Seattle. With the tracks switched to all clear, 2472 crawls forward while ringing it's own bell and also crossing the diamond. While 2472 heads for the depot, the coast starlight backs up while having a small slow race with the special.
4 days later on Monday September 21, 1992, 2472 leaves LAUPT as it carries another special known as the earth train to San Jose, which was organized by various school children. The logos for the special are in front of the locomotive as well as on both sides of the tender. Listen for the proud cheers & chants from bystanders as 2472 passes by mission tower. Beyond downtown Los Angeles, We bid farewell to 2472 as the special is West of Burbank junction.
Rewinding the clocks to 16 months earlier in May of 1991, the California state railroad museum in old Sacramento was operating it's 10th anniversary party called Railfair '91 which was held from Friday may 3, to Sunday May 12. At the same time, the Cumbres & Toltec scenic railroad was operating rotary snowplow OY for the very first time since 1983. During the 9 day event, 4466 operates the daily Sacramento southern railroad. Not only is 4466 at Sacramento but so too is 844, 3985, centennial unit 6936, 4449, 2472, & many other locomotives that are visiting the nearly 10 day event. From onboard the coaches, 6936 runs light while making a meet. Back on the ground, 4466 is running slopeback tender first while activating it's own peanut sized whistle which was later replaced by a deeper toned SP 6 chime whistle. Sadly since the end of 1999 or 2000, the 0-6-0 from The lima locomotive works have since been silent inside the museum along with 2467 (the sister engine to 2472), cab forward 4294, & more locomotives that are on display in the museum area. Since 1999, the only steam locomotive that operates on the Sacramento southern is Granite rock company 0-6-0 tank engine number 10. Next we caught up with 4466 on the return trip to the museum depot as a vintage automobile activates the horn offscreen. Back at the downtown skyline in California's capital city, 4466 runs light while going backwards. A mention of sister engine 4439 is heard as it is still on display at travel town in los Angeles.
Returning to 3751, we fast forward to 6 months later on November 15 1991 as the oldest operating northern makes one of the test runs out of Fontana California which was the restoration site of the locomotive between 1986-1991. Here the locomotive goes backwards with only 2 coaches. While backing into the sharp bend, listen for the wheel slip. Moments later, 3751 switched directions while operating on the storage track for test use only. On another test run while on the same day, note the smoke & whistle show on 3751, as well as an extreme close up look at the driving wheels.
A month later on December 19, 3751 has finally got permission to enter the mainline & also permission for operating its very first excursion to Bakersfield & back between December 26-29. Here the locomotive goes backwards while entering the mainline for the very first time since it last operated in regular service as well as being towed to Fontana from San Bernardino. What a great way to end 1991 by having the preparations of the very first excursion with 3751, & also the end of this nearly 30 year old program from late 1992.
Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.
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