Steam dvd's
All dvd's consist of material shot on video tape from the mid 80's into the early 2000's. All are in color and have sound. A range of different video equipment was used, starting with early portable VHS, followed by Hi8, and currently digital. The original tapes, shot in the 80's, now comprise what could be considered vintage video. The rest in the 90's and 00's is of more contemporary railroading. I like steam and prefer chasing it, but diesels and traction are also photographed whenever and where ever there is the opportunity. And some may appear in any of the dvd’s. Also notice that I don't just photograph American railroads, but do shoot overseas railroad operations.
A lot of different steam locomotives are covered in this collection, most of them featured in special one time events. All of them were restored and fortunately I was there to see them in operation. Many, but not all, have returned to retirement and their return to service is a matter of conjecture. Their return in many cases is doubtful, considering the present attitude of railroad management. At one time, management attitudes were more acceptable to the operation of steam on their lines, not so today. So enjoy what you see here, it may never be repeated.
All dvd.s are at least an hour long or longer. If there is any narration it is provided before the action begins or over the titles. I do not narrate over the railroad sounds. Prices for the dvd's are: $25.00 ea. for single disc programs. Two disc sets, marked (*), are $40.00 ea. When buying more than one dvd, please contact me for a better price. All prices include first-class postage and packaging in the U.S. Illinois residents please add 10% for sales taxes.
TW1 - N&W 1218 FIRST RUN EAST TO ROANOKE by John Szwajkart follows N&W 1218 on its initial break-in trip from Birmingham to Roanoke, It is a three day event over the former Southern mainline from Birmingham to Atlanta, Salisbury and Lynchburg. (Included is a comeo appearance of A&WP 750.) Once N&W "Home" rails were reached, the train headed over Blue Ridge to Roanoke. A few days later the 1218 makes three inaugural fantrips out of Roanoke. The first is a dramatic and eventful run to and from Bluefield through a rain soaked and flooded right of way. The next day, bright and sunny, two short trips are made east to Lynchburg and west to Walton. (Additional N&W steam can be found on dvd's F10, TW10, TW17, TW 29, and TW30) Single disc $25.00
*TW10 - EXTRA 1218 NORTH TO CHICAGO by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) During its career N&W 2-6-6-4 1218 made a number of trips to Chicago and several of them are included in this two disc set. Disc 1 covers a ferry run from Portsmouth, OH as the 1218 and its train run north over former N&W and PRR lines to Bellevue, OH. Then the train goes west on the former NKP to Fort Wayne, IN and after an overnight stop continues on to Chicago. The trip has its surprises and one noteworthy event does take place after departure from Bellevue. Since it is a surprise, I cannot tell you what happens. Disc 2 contains chases of the Chicago to Ft. Wayne fantrips of '88, '90 and '91. The dvd ends with the departure of the train from the Chicago area. (More N&W steam can be found on dvd's F10, TW1, TW17, TW 29, and TW30) 2-disc set $40.00
TW14 - EXTRA SLSF 1522 NORTH by John Szwajkart One of the earliest runs by SLSF 4-8-2 1522 was a series of fantrips on the WC between Fond du Lac and Chicago. To get there the 1522 had to run over the C&NW and the WC. Each ferry run included a bunch of freight cars. To provide a different perspective, only the freight runs are included (other producers have the passenger runs). We start with the run over the C&NW from South Pekin to Chicago and follow with the freight runs over the WC both to and from Fond du Lac. (More 1522 action can be found on TW33) (More on the WC can be found on TW74 parts 1 to 7) Single disc $25.00
*TW17 - N&W 611 AND NKP 587 DOUBLEHEAD by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) Is a four day chase with N&W 611 and NKP 587 on the NRHS "Independence Limited" of 1989. The chase begins at Fostoria, OH, goes west to Fort Wayne, IN on the NKP, and then heads south over the NKP to Muncie and New Castle, IN. Continuing on over the former PRR from Indianapolis, the train finally reaches Cincinnati, OH. It then goes east over the scenic N&W line to Portsmouth and on through the mountains to Salem, VA. Disc 1 covers days 1 and 2 on the NKP, PRR and N&W, while disc 2 covers days 3 and 4 on the N&W. (More N&W steam can be found on dvd's F10, TW1, TW10, TW 29, and TW30) 2-disc set $40.00
*TW19 - ON THE ROAD WITH 1385 by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) Covers a number of the off-museum trips made by Mid-Continent's C&NW 4-6-0 1385. We start with a trip on the C&NW mainline to Clinton with a special business car train. Next it is to WI for some very slow, near zero, winter running, west out of Mazomanie, later in warmer weather some faster running north to Saulk City and finally more very steamy winter running between Broadhead and Monroe. The dvd has plenty of great action along with a great cab ride up Juda Hill. 2-disc set $40.00
TW26 - STEAM ON THE SANTA FE IN ILLINOIS by John Steenwyk and John Szwajkart This dvd looks at two different steam runs on the Santa Fe in Illinois. We begin with the only runs of AT&SF 3751 through Illinois from Fort Madison to Chicago and back with an employee appreciation special. This is a two day event, one day is overcast and rainy, as the train runs east and the second day is clear and sunny with the train heading west. The pace is very fast and 3751 provides an exciting and thrilling chase. The second part covers additional employee specials, this time powered by Milwaukee Road 261. The trains are seen around Joliet and then followed west from Streator to Galesburg. (More SF can be found on SS7, TW58 Pts 1, 2, & 3, and TW81) (Additional Milw 261is on TW32, TW34, TW63 and TW69) Single disc $25.00
*TW27 - CLINCHFIELD 676 AND THE SANTA CLAUS TRAIN by John Szwajkart and others (2-disc set) In this one-time event, UP 4-6-6-4 3985 is cosmetically disguised as a Clinchfield Challenger, next number, #676 and assigned to pull the 50th anniversary Santa Claus train over the CRR. Disc one begins with locomotive and train, shortly after the conversion at Huntington. It is followed south to Kingsport, over the C&O and the CRR. Then the featured Santa Claus train is covered. The second disc covers an additional employee special and the return north back to Huntington on the last day. Additional video is provided covering the return of the restored 3985 as it heads west across KY, IN and IL. (Check D7 for more UP steam and SS5 for UP diesel) 2-disc set $40.00
TW29 - THE 1993 INDEPENDENCE LIMITED IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS by John Szwajkart A three disc set covering a four day chase of the NRHS Independence Limited, powered by four different steam locomotives. This dvd covers the first two days with the train running through the Applachian Mountains. On day 1 the train leaves Knoxville, with TVRM's SOU 4501. Using former SOU mainline and branch line trackage the train heads northeast to Frisco where NS trackage rights on the CSX (Clinchfield) are used to reach the N&W at St. Paul, VA. The train continues north on the N&W to Richlands where N&W 611 waits. Early the next day N&W 611 takes the train north to Iager, and then makes a fast run over the N&W mainline to Portsmouth, OH. The balance of this trip is covered on TW30. (More N&W can be found on dvd's F10, TW1, TW10, TW17, and TW30)Single disk is $25.00.
TW30 - THE 1993 INDEPENDENCE LIMITED ACROSS THE FLATLANDS by John Szwajkart Picks up where TW29 ends, on Day 3 as 611 takes the train north out of Portsmouth, OH over the N&W to Columbus, OH. It continues north over the former PRR to Bellevue, OH, where the train turns and goes west over the former NKP mainline to Fort Wayne, IN. On Day 4 a new set of steam locomotives take over, NKP 2-8-2 587 and NKP 2-8-4 765. N&W 611 remains behind as the doubleheaded train goes west over the NKP, to Chicago. Additional doubleheaded steam, action from the convention, is on TW31. Single disk is $25.00.
TW31 NKP 587 and 765 DOUBLEHEAD by John Szwajkart. Never released before, this covers the main event of the '93 NRHS convention in Chicago, the doublheaded special on the NKP with NKP, 587 and 765. The train is followed in the worst possible weather, heavy rain, to Argos and back to Chicago. A few days later the two locomotives are used to take the train back to Fort Wayne in much better weather. Only a few chasers and an unscheduled stop made for a great one way run. A bonus section includes a look at two of the other convention events. Single disk is $25.00.
TW32 - MILWAUKEE ROAD 261 by John Steenwyk and John Szwajkart This restored locomotive's first main line fan-trip was over the WC between Fond du Lac and Stevens Point in 1993. We follow the train from Fond du Lac, through the street running in Oshkosh, into Neenah and on to Stevens Point. Included is a side trip, west to Junction City, where the train and locomotive are turned. We then follow the train back south. Included are opportunities to see early operations on the WC, with both painted and unpainted diesels. (Also check C6, SS9, TW34, and TW69) Single disc $25.00
TW33 - SLSF 1522 by Jack Wheelihan and John Szwajkart This is a two day chase of SLSF 1522 as it runs on the SLSF mainline to Memphis. It is an interesting two day chase as we follow the locomotive over the hilly SLSF (BN) mainline from St. Louis to Springfield on day 1, and from Springfield to Memphis on day 2. (Also check TW14) Single disc $25.00
TW34 - MORE MILWAUKEE ROAD 261 by John Steenwyk and John Szwajkart. On this dvd we follow Milw 261 on two fan trips over the WC between Chicago and Fond du Lac. We begin with a ferry run from Fond du Lac to Chicago. Then two round trip fantrips from Chicago north are chased on two different days. (Also check C6, SS9, TW32, and TW69) Single disc $25.00
TW43 - C&O 2816 on the TP&W by John Steenwyk, John Szwajkart and Jack Wheelihan Covers the only mainline runs made by this locomotive. Rebuilt at Fort Wayne in the mid 90's, the locomotive was sent to the TP&W for testing. Initially the locomotive broke-in with a freight train on the TP&W. Then it was used for two days on passenger runs out of Logansport with a TP&W F unit providing power for the backup moves. The contrast in weather for the two days adds to the interest of this tape. Saturday was a day of clear sky and bright sun, Sunday was just the opposite, cloudy and rain. Unused for a time after this, the locomotive returned to static display at KRM, its' owner and so far has not run under its own power. Single disc $25.00
TW50 - SOO 2719 - The Second time Around by John Szwajkart After powering the last steam fantrip on the Soo in 1959 (See C6), this locomotive was put on display. Restored in the 90's it ran primarily in northern WI and for a short time regularly between Chippewa Falls and Wheeler on the WC. This is a record of two days of these trips, plus shots of WC freights and a cameo appearance of Soo 1003. (Check out C6, and TW60) Single disc $25.00
TW51 - GTW 4070 On The Cuyahoga Valley Line by John Szwajkart Begins with a look at the CVL’s early diesel passenger operations on this former B&O branch line, now part of a National Park. Then concentrates on GTW 2-8-2 4070, now out of service, when it originally powered the train. We begin with the early morning departure of the empty train from the "flats". And after it is loaded, we follow it all the way to Akron. After servicing we follow the train north as an extra stop is made for a movie run-by. This ends with the empty train returning to the "flats". GTW 4070 no longer powers the train, diesels are used instead. Single disc $25.00
TW60 - SOO 1003 by John Szwajkart This is a look at the second Soo steam locomotive to be restored, and one of its’ early fantrips. We will chase it as it takes a fantrip special between Waukesha and Stoughton over a twisty and scenic former Milw branchline now part of the W&S. This former freight locomotive, still in operation occasionally, proves it too can handle passenger trains. (also check C6 and TW50) Single disc $25.00
TW63 CHINESE STEAM IN THE STATES Parts 1 & 2 by Bill Raia and John Szwajkart (2-disc set) Disc #1 covers some of the SY and JS class 2-8-2's in tourist line use on the Knox & Kane and Boone & Scenic Valley Railroads. Also included at the end of this disc are shots of the QJ's in operation on the IAIS. Disc #2 covers three days with the QJ 2-10-2's as they pull both passenger and freight trains on the IAIS in September, 2006. Also includes a day of tripple-headed steam with the two QJ's and Milw 261. A great introduction to Chinese Steam for those who did not have a chance to see the locomotives in China. (you may want to check out TW62.) 2-disc set $40.00
TW69 - MILWAUKEE 261 AND CP 2816 by John Szwajkart Covers chases of the CP 4-6-4 2816 north of Chicago and Milw 261 into the Chicago area. Then covers some of the Twin Cities Great Excursion events in which 261 and 2816 participated, including a double headed run along the Mississippi River. (Also check C6, SS9, TW32, and TW34) Single disc $25.00
TW73 NKP 587 Last Run for a While. By John Szwajkart On Nov 2 2002 NKP 2-8-2 587 completed its final trips for the Noblesville Museum and entered the Museum shops for extensive rebuilding. It is expected to be out of service for quite a long time. (Since then the museum has closed and 587’s status is not looking too promising.) Thus this dvd of the last trip and also a record of some of the other memorable trips made by the locomotive, such as the State Fair Runs, and other special runs including a special freight run. (More 587 can be found on TW17, TW30, TW31 and TW80) Single disc $25.00
TW80 - Steam and Diesel at MONTICELLO By John Szwajkart Using a mix of slides and videos, provides a look at the changes that have taken place at this Central Illinois Museum over the last few years. We start with early steam and diesel operations, including the restored Wabash F unit and the initial NKP 587 runs, made after rebuilding. Then the major portion of this dvd looks at the Museum's latest steam locomotive, Southern 2-8-0 401 as it makes its' first runs after major rebuilding. Single disc $25.00