Back in my country, in the late 80s and early 90s, trains used to be real fun. They weren’t plastic and assephtical as they are today, and even if everything was slower (no more than 87 mph, with the standard being 75), they shure were interresting. In the next 3 vignettes that funny side is, i think, pretty well illustrated.
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=3DnLihf92jk - Up untill 1991, when a newer double trak high speed bridge was inaugurated (works can be seen), trains going from Lisbon t Porto, in order to reach that last city would have to negotiate the Maria Pia bridge, built by the fame Eiffel House and drawn by Theodore Seyrig, it was 111 years old when these images were taken. Ah, and for all the prains crossing it, a scrupulous 12 mph limit was de rigeur, besides being atrack section in wich a token block was used.
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=PYeZgm87mUY - It does look like the US but it isn’t. But yet one can see a lot os stuff - GRS semaphores an general ambance - some everday images of RSC units and a GE 44 tonner at work
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=n9-LVfW7Kfs - All call this one an Alco simphony. More than the images it’s the chant that makes it worth it. The 251 and the traction motors seem to have endless power. Ah and the train is a limited !
Enjoy