[8D] Many thanks to Kalmbach Publishing for sending me a new DVD series today…especially since it has been a year since my subscription ran out…
The DVD was received as a cold open, as I had no idea of the series. After fumbling around my computer was able to play the video with ease.
I was especially proud of Trains to discover that the content used is originally the well-produced and researched History Channel “Coal Train” from the “Extreme Trains” program of several years ago.
Yes, the MC is the conductor from Pan-Am Railways, serious when necessary and as an enthusiastic railfans as all railfans can be…
The material is written to give the public an inside look at what railroading is and does. There was only one year of “Extreme Trains” and you cannot tell me that they covered everything in that short time!
If you have ideas for a show like a subject not mentioned yet, feel free to ask! It is entirely possible for the series to be revived, and the latest venture of Norfolk Southern’s steam revival is just one of the rides they may visit!
CSXT sponsored the original series and I am sure they would continue as a sponsor, possibly even featuring a subject.
Reasonable? You can get the full tv series from Amazon for $14.
I believe this said $12.95 for the first (the one they sent without me asking) and $19.95 thereafter. I was also disappointed that they simply recycled the tv show.
Finding out that the film was a cable TV production answers some questions. It seemed like the scenes jumped around a bit, like it was made to hold the attention of people with a quick remote who had a hundred channels to choose from. While I appreciate that commercial TV has paid some attention to RRs, I prefer the more typical railfan videos that give you time to take-in the scenes.
I did not know about the series for only $14; thanks!
I also was disappointed in that it was just a recycled tv show (and that host is so annoying with his over-the-top with his enthusiasm). I also did not like the style of photography, with all of the weird angles and camera movement (of course, I’m old; I understand the younger folks like that style).
Almost a year ago, I had received a similar video series from Model Railroader called Dream, Plan, etc …
I had subscribed to that series because I enjoy seeing other model railroader’s layouts. Unfortunately, I have been around a long time and I have seen most, if not all, of the TV- related PBS shows like Tracks Ahead, plus many more. As I got the DVDs I started noticing that the videos on layouts were all OLD material from other shows broadcast on TV. When I contacted Kalmbach, and asked if they had any ORIGINAL material for layouts, I was that the cost for creating NEW layout tours was prhibitive and they had no plans to do so.
Nuff said. In this economy, I can understand not doing that. The other side of that same coin is to make sure the folks you charge premium prices for recycled, and VERY dated material are made aware of that fact by posting the ORIGINAL source in readable print on the cover, front or rear.
All PBS and commercial TV shows can be purchased at more reasonable prices on the web or even watched online on the channel’s website. I appreciate the fact Kalmbach is trying to get material out there but not at those prices for something I watched on commercial TV for free… (If you record it, you can skip the commercials)
I will not purchase any video that has recycled material when it is available from the original source. How about some NEW material or at least some material on CLASSIC TRAINS.
At least Swamp People or Axe Men is original content. RFDTV has fantastic Railroad videos on their show called Trains and Locomotives. A mix of classic videos and modern videos from various producers. Most cable and satellite networks carry it. They also have shows on Model Railroading.
[8D] I think the comments on the PanAm conductor should be limited to compliments. I have seen most all the railfan websites put the good 'ole boy down and I truely believe that is why there was only one season. I cannot believe people that would down a person because of their personality…look past that and you may be quite entertained!
I think $12, $14, or $19 for these programs is reasonable considering the average price is about $30 for quality dialogue, sound and video today.
Railfan videos are about all there is in my video tape and dvd collections. It is convienient to disparage and bootleg, however you can’t beat the original for quality. And one day they may not be around.
Even burning a KCS SD40 down for scrap value is better than nothing…
RFDTV is still not available from Charter, so I have missed those programs but I am glad folks enjoy the series.
I collected “Freight Train” and “Oil Tankers” from Modern Marvels, because the content was made available directly from the production company…that’s my way of voting for more of the type of stuff I wish to see.
My comment about IRT and Swamp people were only a comment about ORIGINAL CONTENT in programming. My brother was a professional truck driver for 40 years and his safety record was spotless. I too do not tolerate the “escapades” by those shows as “good entertainment” . That type of programming is getting pretty scarce.
Although, I am not a fan of today’s railroading, Extreme Trains was watched and enjoyed. Recording programming for personal enjoyment later without commercial interruption is not piracy or copywrite infringement. Recording to distribute without paying royalties is. After the program was over, the media was reused. If it is a good show, I purchase it for my library.
Agree, gealousy, he got up close and personal with railroading where the rest of us would be arrested for tresspassing. Glad to see a series showing us those things.
Also, I’d bet that most of the people who put the 'ole boy down would trade spots with him in a heart beat. If they did Imagine in their excitement trying to entertain while hiding the wet spot on the front of their pants. I read once on the History Channel web site that a second season was to be in the works, anyone have an update?
The TV series was dreadful. Now Kalmbach adds insult to injury by turning it into a Trains DVD Series.
Who can stand this constantly screaming, wildly gesticulating and grimacing presenter? Also, most of us are interested in technical issues; so if one is raised, we expect it to be examined adequately and accurately.
The camera work and editing fails to do justice to serious railroading; why make the trains go at 10 times their actual speed and why can’t ANY scene be shown for more than one or two seconds? Yes, I understand, it was made for TV, which meant that they had to deal with short attention spans of most of the audience. That’s really why it should not have been turned into a series that targets railroad buffs. In contrast to last year’s DVD series, I can’t find anything positive to say about this one.
Just got home off the road and found the aforementioned dvd on the kitchen table. After reading this thread, I’m not even going to open it. The series was good the first time around but not worth watching again, in my view anyway. Not that it was bad, just not my cup of tea. It was good to see “real” railroading presented to the gen. public in a way it was easy to understand and keep their attention.
There is a lot of extreme in this DVD but sense, safety, accuracy, intellegence, information, and non value are the extremes. It is an awful represntation of railroading and to what true railfans are and are interested in. I am not sending my copy back, however, but breaking it in two and putting in the recycling to keep anyone from seeing it. Kalmbach should be ashamed of themselves for putting their name on it. I sure hope that neither Trains nor Classic Trains are planning to take up an editorial philosophy that even approaches this nonsense!