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.

      Traction, that is classic traction, until recently was on a downhill run.  So when I first traveled overseas it was an eyeopener, when I saw a lot of classic traction is operation all over in addition to seeing mainline electrification.  It was like, what is wrong with us  in the U.S.?  Streetcars seemed to flourish in the cities, there were lots of subway lines, and the only thing missing was the interurban lines.  (A version of this was found in Hungery and is covered in TW77.)  Thus the following collection of Traction subjects seems to be heavy on the overseas systems.  You should check them out and find out what we in the U.S. should be doing.  Still my collection does  include sone U.S. items, ie TW68 and TW76 are examples and I have classic material on my Vintage movies B4.  And I have more in my collections that are still to be released.  I may like steam, but in going over this collection, it should be obvious to you, I did not ignore electric traction and maybe enjoyed them as much as steam.  In case you missed it, you might also want to check out my dvd B4 in the Vintage 8’s Collection, for some classic traction taken in the 50’s.

      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.


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*TW68 Parts 1 and 2 - TRACTION TODAY Vol. 3. by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) This two disc set presents modern contradictions in Traction. Part 1 covers streetcar operations in New Orleans, both the old and the new lines. Pt 2 covers streetcar operations in Kenosha and Memphis. Both provide an opportunity to compare new technology with old technology. Which is better? You can decide. (Also check B4 and TW76)  2-disc set $40.00

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TW70 TRACTION TODAY Vol. 4 Streetcars in Holland and Belgium by John Szwajkart. Where other places were replacing streetcar systems with busses, the Netherlands and Belgium were not only keeping them, but were constantly improving them. The lines are all heavily used as you will see. The cars are a mix of PCC and later designs in single and articulated configurations. To see these, is to see the future. Amsterdam, Roterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and others are all included in this single dvd. ( also check B4 and TW68) Single disc $25.00

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*TW75 - TRACTION TODAY Vol. 5. by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) This two disc dvd set examines current electric operations in Europe. Part one covers mainline electric operations in Germany and Austria, including close up looks at the German ICE's. Part two shows streetcar operations in Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. 2-disc set $40.00

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TW76 - TRACTION TODAY Vol. 6 The CTA 6000's Last Day By John Szwajkart. This single disc features the operation of the last four sets of CTA 6000 series "L" cars on their last day of service on the CTA Brown Line (Ravenswood Line). Extra stuff on the disc includes shots of the now gone Articulated trains on the Skokie Swift, and some of the newer cars on the O'Hare, Eisenhower and Lake Street Lines. Single disc $25.00.

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*TW77 - TRACTION TODAY Vol. 7. by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) This two disc dvd set examines current electric operations in Eastern Europe, namely Romania, Serbia and Hungary. Part one looks at streetcar operations in Bucharest, Romania and mainline trains on the CFR. Included in part 1 are shots of Belgrade, Serbia streetcars in rush hour service. Part 2 continues this look at Belgrade streetcars at another location. Then it is on to Budapest, Hungary to ride and look at streetcar lines in and outside the city. In addition there is a look at one of the emu powered HEV lines that serve the suburban areas. 2-disc set $40.00

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*TW78 - TRACTION TODAY Vol. 8. by John Szwajkart (2-disc set) This two disc dvd set continues our look at electric operations in Eastern Europe, this time Prague, Czech Republic. Part one covers streetcar operations through a typical weekday, from the morning rush, through the day and into the evening rush. Part two looks at streetcar service in the inner city where some of the modern streetcars along with the older cars run through the narrow twisting streets in the inner City. Also included on each disc are shots of the Prague Subways. 2-disc set $40.0

You may also want to check the following dvd's.

Additional Traction material can be seen on these Overseas dvd's:

TW23 - RAILWAYS DOWN UNDER

TW36 - SCANDINAVIAN RAILWAYS

TW71 - NETHERLANDS RAILWAYS

TW72 - THE BELGIAN RAILWAYS

TW82 - IRISH RAILWAYS

All are described in the OVERSEAS section.