Although I never bought the DVD version yet, I used to have a VHS tape about the runs and speed of America's most prominent railroad of all time. Nowadays this movie would be a reminder for me that one day the N&W would breach again, much to every rail fan's delight and dream.

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

In this recently turned 30 year old program from 1990, it starts with a class A 2-6-6-4 on a coal train making a meet with a J class 4-8-4 on a passenger run, as a Y class 2-8-8-2 follows behind as well as another class A, & One of the since been gone for scrap Z class 2-6-6-2 number 1462. An articulated engine goes over the bridge, and we see a since been scrapped K class 4-8-2 number 127 on a local, followed by another j class northern on a passenger run, a 4-8-0 on a mixed, & Pacific 578. Before we see the early excursion years of 4501, and a brief train ride behind a diesel before we see a doubleheader with both articulated engines on a freight as the opening title comes into view.

The action begins with a Class Y on a mixed freight heads to Roanoke out of Hagerstown Maryland on the Shenandoah line. South of Bryans Maryland, another Y class 2-8-8-2 negotiates an S curve on a mixed freight. Afterwards, another freight train is shown with K class 4-8-2 number 131 in charge on M13. Next we see Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2154 entering the Schomo yard at Hagerstown, followed by another K class 4-8-2 crossing the Potomac river on train M14 between sheppardstown & sharpsburg. At the opposite direction, another Y class 2-8-8-2 leads a freight as it enters West Virginia. Once again we see 131 on local M14, this time it's at luree Virginia as it heads North. Following behind the 131 is Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2122 on a really long freight.

Moving on to bonsac which is located east of Roanoke, class A 2-6-6-4 number 1240 is on a freight as it heads west. At the same location, but going in the opposite direction is J class 4-8-4 number 612 on train 46: the Tennessean. Following behind is another unidentified Y class 2-8-8-2 on a coal train while the since been scrapped Z class 2-6-6-2 number 1460 waits on the siding tender first, then it gets underway as the tail of the coal train is shown with helper engine 2143 on the rear. Note the yellow flag On the rear.

On October 13, 1955, we're at the overpass West of blue ridge as 1460 handles the short local while class A 2-6-6-4 number 1239 heads east with a long freight. Following behind the 1460 is a coal train that's led by Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2173 with another class Y 2-8-8-2 pushing on the rear. Meanwhile at bonsac once again, another Z class 2-6-6-2 leads a westbound freight. Afterwards, Class Y number 2156 heads east of Vinton as it climbs up the grade. Today 2156 is on display at the national museum of transportation in Kirkwood Missouri. Once again we see 612, this time it's on train 4: Pocahontas. At the same location, the westbound powhatan arrow heads for Cincinnati. West of Montvale, a doubleheader is on a freight with a pair of class A 2-6-6-4s: 1233 & 1238 as they thunder uphill for the summit. The Tennessean follows behind at the same location as it heads for Memphis. It's led by J class 4-8-4 number 604. Back on blue ridge grade, 1239 is on a mixed freight as it is struggling uphill. 2124 is the rear helper for 1239's train as a motorcar follows behind. The eastbound Tennessean is shown with 606 in charge as it is east of bonsac.

From the blue ridge grade, we moved to St. James Maryland on December 14, 1955 (11 days before Christmas) as 2136 leads a mixed freight. A look at the station is shown as train 13 arrives to pick up a single passenger. Entering Hagerstown is a Y class 2-8-8-2 with a freight. Another local number 13 heads for the schomo yard with 127 in charge carrying only a combine & caboose. 127 heads south after picking up 5 refrigerator cars & 3 boxcars. At antida Maryland, class Y 2178 leads a northbound freight. South of Hagerstown, we're at grimes as 2-8-8-2 number 2138 leads a fast freight on an S curve on the Shenandoah line, followed by 2178 once again, & 2161 on another fast freight. Afterwards, 2158 is entering the Hagerstown yard. Back at the Potomac river bridge, a mixed freight is shown with K class 4-8-2 number 129 on train M13 as it enters West Virginia, While facing the opposite direction is a Y class 2-8-8-2 on a freight, followed by it's sister engine, and another one from a different angle, before we see another freight heading north across the bridge. Back at Hagerstown, the same freight from the Potomac river bridge arrives. Back on the bridge once again, 129 heads for Shenandoah. At the same location, Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2153 leads a long freight as it enters Maryland. Note the trailers on the rear. A southbound is shown as it crosses the bridge. Returning to grimes, A class Y heads for the bridge on an S curve.

Back at blue ridge grade, 1219 heads for Roanoke. At blue ridge station, J class 4-8-4 613 is on train 8. Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2166 is slowly passing by the depot while leading a coal train. Arriving in the background is a passenger train that's led by either A K class 4-8-2 or a J class 4-8-4. The eastbound Pocahontas is leaving the station with 127 in charge once again. Note Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac coach on the rear. Back on the double track S curve, the westbound Tennessean is shown with J class 4-8-4 number 605 leading at Montvale. Near Vinton, Class A 2-6-6-4 number 1226 approaches the blue ridge grade, with Y class 2-8-8-2 number 2180 pushing on the rear. Back in Montvale, a Y is smoking up a storm as it negotiates the double track bend. A coal train descends east from the grade with a Class Y leading. Just down from the summit is another class A on a coal train. Following behind is 1462 on a mixed freight. Did you know that the Z class 2-6-6-2s were the very first articulated engines built for the N&W? Meanwhile, 2169 heads west on an empty coal train at blue ridge. In Montvale, 1241 leads a loaded coal train while heading east.

A steam turbine number 2300 the John Henry runs light, before we see a mixed freight with 1226 once again. 2300 was built in 1954, & was sadly scrapped. Meanwhile, 600 leads the powhatan arrow, before we see 605 at Montvale. Class K number 120 is on train 20 near Montvale. 606 leads the westbound Tennessean, before we see 2149 on an empty coal train as it follows behind at Montvale. 1223 leads a merchandise mixed train. A long westbound empty coal train is shown on a doubleheader with 2148 & 2163. The same doubleheader is seen again at villamont. The eastbound Tennessean is heading to Lynchburg.

On the Radford division, a mixed freight is shown on the 1.3% grade with 2147 in charge at shawsville. Following behind is a coal train with 2157 leading. Another coal train is shown with another Y class 2-8-8-2, before we see another class Y going in the opposite direction, While in the normal direction, we see 2068 on a short mixed freight. Note the crane on a flatbed. Train 8 negotiates the S curve at Christiansburg grade with 604 leading after descending the hill. Meanwhile at the Montgomery tunnels, 2165 exits the westbound portal as it leads an empty coal train. Moments later, 2145 enters the tunnel on a loaded coal train. Following behind is train 41 the Tennessean which is led by none other than future famous survivor itself: J class 4-8-4 number 611. Operated from 1982-1994, & later since 2015. A westbound empty hopper train is shown with 2136 leaving the tunnel. Afterwards, we're back at shawsville as 2148 is working hard on a westbound freight. Back at Vinton a Class Y is on the blue ridge grade. Meanwhile, a Class A leaves Vinton as it makes a meet with train 7 that's led by A 4-8-2. 2169 rumbles by with a freight, before we see a Class Y coupling up to a freight on the rear. At blue ridge summit, the helper passes by some railfans. The powhatan arrow passes by before we see train 8 passing by at blue ridge station. Halfway through the show, we're back in villamont as 1214 heads west with a coal train. Returning to Montvale, a pair of class A 2-6-6-4s are on different freights: both of them being coal trains. In bonsac, 2152 pushes the mixed freight on the rear near blue ridge as it heads east. Near salem, the Cavalier is shown with a northern at Christiansburg. On the West side of the grade, the Cavalier passes by some wig wag signals in riplemead. At the 44 minute mark, the same train rolls down the line near narrows. The Pocahontas is at narrows with a northern in charge. Returning to Montgomery tunnel, 2 trains: a diesel freight & a Steam passenger train leave both portals at the same time. The Cavalier is West of Roanoke near Salem. 5 GP9s are leading the freight with 2159 pushing on the rear at Salem. Again note the yellow flag On the rear.

Taking a break from.big giants, we're now focused on the M class engines as one negotiates a bend while another goes backwards with a coach & hopper in between crossing the bridge. 405 is running backwards as it pushes a boxcar. A mention of 433 is heard. Remember, this program was made before 475 was restored to operating condition at the Strasburg railroad in Lancaster county Pennsylvania.

Back on the mainline, we're back in Christiansburg as the Pocahontas heads east while out of the fog. Afterwards, 610 leads the westbound powhatan arrow near Bluefield. Next up is a lot of action in the yard as an eastbound leaves the yard with a Y in charge. The powhatan arrow makes a meet with a coal train. A pusher is shown with a caboose on the rear. Back at blue ridge, a passenger train negotiates the bend before we see 608 passing by the station on train 15 the Cavalier. While stopped, 2193 passes by with a mixed freight. Then the 608 leaves the curved depot in Bluefield. Meanwhile, 4-6-2 number 578 is shown as it arrives at Bluefield before we cut to Williamson as 2162 leads a coal train. A Y class ran light, before we see the Cavalier heading for Chicago. Moments later, it's eastbound counterpart heads for Norfolk. At the 54 minute mark, the Pocahontas speeds by as it heads for Norfolk at Bluefield. Meanwhile, 606 is leaving Bluefield on the Cavalier.

Returning to 578, we see the Pacific negotiating the S curve as it heads for Norton. Each direction is about 103 miles. This was filmed in August of 1956. Today the engine is on display at Worthington Ohio.

Once again, we're back on the mainline as a Class Y runs light. While the J class northern follows behind. Meanwhile a class Y is on a mixed freight, as a coal train makes ameet. While another coal train follows behind at circleville. 136 is at Columbus Ohio on train 13. In Montvale, 2168 leads an eastbound coal train. 1233 pulls a westbound freight near Montvale. Moments later, 1233 is seen again at villamont. 1210 is working hard on the West side of the grade near Vinton. At bonsac, a mixed freight train is shown with a Class A leading. Afterwards, a pusher is shown on the rear with 2178 in charge. With only 20 minutes left, we're at villamont as 1217 heads west on a coal train in fall colors. The powhatan arrow follows behind. Moments later, train 8 is next with 603 at the same time. Next up is 1229 on a westbound, followed by the eastbound Pocahontas as well as a doubleheader with 2163 & 1241 on a coal train. At the same time, the westbound Tennessean is shown. Class K 4-8-2 number 107 leads a tank car, a hopper, & a little red caboose. 611 is on the Tennessean at Montvale. 1216 leads a westbound mixed train as it passes by some lovely fall colors. Finally, a doubleheader is shown on a coal train as we say goodbye forever to regular steam on the N&W.

Leaving the N&W behind, we fast forward to 1966 as 4501 operates the inaugural runs of the original southern steam specials. Followed by a ride on the dome of the powhatan arrow. Today 4501 is operating at the Tennessee valley railroad museum in Chattanooga.

Overall, this is an incredible trip back in time to see what regular steam was like on the N&W. The songs that were played on the Synthesizer are very cool to hear.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.