Pick One!
Hard to vote for just one.
I have seen the work of ALL of these productions and
they all have good concepts in the field. I like the Green Frog
productions but cannot just pick one. Sorry.
Charles Smiley Video Productions are good for those who like western U.S. railroads such as the BNSF, UP, SP, NP, etc… http://www.trainmovies.com
I have quite alot of videos from quite a few of the selection indicated,though I still like Pentrex.The only problem that I have with them is their " Above Southern California Rails " video. On the cover it shows the BNSF mainline running through the City of Fullerton, yet in the video there is not one[censored] part of Fullerton in it. I’m wondering if there are any others whom have had this happen to them, where they show a picture of a part of a railroad and its not in it ?
I like Pentrex a lot. Nothing beats their Steam Across America and the UP Big Boy Collection! Although, that guys voice gets annoying after a while. It sounds like a computer.
My favorite video producer isn’t listed[:(!].
I think Charles Smiley puts out the best tapes in the business[:)].
Yup. I got the SP vintage DVD. Packed with historical information. It cost a pretty penny though.
For prototype videos I vote for Pentrex. For models, I pick Allen Keller Videos.
problem is that you have mixed prototype and model videos together. For models, I like Allen Keller’s series and for prototype, I like pentrex. Since this is the MR forum, I voted for Allen Keller’s.
Noah
Allen Keller’s production group does a good job with each of their videos but isn’t there some other formula they could follow? It is the same Allen Keller flat, inflectionless voice over, the same tour of the layout with a railcar mounted camera, and the same formula of the layout owner telling us how he lays track, builds trees, etc. Isn’t there some other way to produce these? Even reversing the procedure would be interesting. And maybe someone other than Allen doing the voice over.
Pentrex is my favorite. Highball Productions is a close second.
Don’t forget that Pentrex has also produced model railroading videos such as Allen McClelland’s V&O, the Sierra Pacific Lines Model Railroad Club, and the San Diego Railroad Museum.
Top 5
- Pentrex
- Revelation Video (Haven’t been disapointed with any of there tapes yet!)
- Highball Productions & Big “E” Productions are even for third
- Green Frog
Dougal,
Do you have a link to Revelation Video? I quickly poked around and the only Revelation Video I noticed was for a Christian outfit.
Thanks . . .
For model railroads, Keller has the biggest and best selection, but ohboy, don’t watch them if you are tired. His voice and the format will lull you to sleep. [zzz][zzz][zzz][zzz][zzz]
For Prototype, any video that doesn’t have an announcer flapping his gums spewing tons of useless trivia while the trains are going by is OK by me.
I watch to see and hear the trains.[wow][yeah]
Not to listen to a lot of rachet-jawing .[:(!]
Since I could only choose one, I chose Pentrex. But I would surely buy any video with the content I am interested in - Chessie and predecessors.
I was just told yesterday by Pentrex they may not do B&O Odyssey Volume 3 as they don’t feel they have enough footage to do a full feature. I told them that would be a shame as most of the material they haven’t released if that of the more modern B&O which is what I am really interested in. If any one is interested in the material, you should petition Pentrex to release the material even if it isn’t a full feature.
What about Joe Fugate’s new series? I think they are very good!
John
Highball productions looks pretty cool. Right now I like the videos from Hot Rail Productions.
I just got that DVD. Big Boys rule! This is one of those movies every steam fan should own. Fan of UP or not. Freaking awsome! [tup]
Pentrex. Nobody else even close.