Pentrex

For nearly 47 years, the Southern Pacific Railroad relied upon its massive AC-type steam locomotives to haul freight and passenger trains throughout California and neighboring states. Built to provide the power and flexibility demanded by the mountainous passes they traversed, these giants were constructed with their cab in front of the boiler, thus earning them the name Cab Forwards. The last Cab Forward revenue train ran in 1956, after which all but one were scrapped. From then on, film coverage of these AC-class engines was eagerly sought, hard to locate, and highly prized. Now, after years of research, Pentrex has assembled an awesome collection of footage and still images of SP AC-1s through AC-12s spanning the years 1927 to 1956.

In the decade they were operated, Union Pacific's 8500-series Gas Turbine Electric Locomotives earned two nicknames: UP dubbed them the "Super Fleet" for obvious reasons as they were the largest, most powerful locomotives ever employed by the railroad. More often the Turbines were referred to as "Big Blows" due to the deafening roar of their engines. Thirty of these GE-built giants were delivered to the UP between 1958 and 1961. Used primarily between Ogden, Utah and Green River, Wyoming, where the tough grades of the Wasatch Mountains required UP's sturdiest power, these monsters could log up to 10,000 miles a month hauling heavy mixed freight and coal trains. The 8500 series were permanently coupled six-axle units running on C-C trucks, and their prime mover was the most powerful ever used in a locomotive. The operating weight for the A and B units combined was close to 850,000 pounds, yet they could attain speeds of up to 70 mph!

Climbing gently from the tidewater ports near Portland, Oregon is the Columbia River Gorge'a wide, flat-water river passage that provides access to the inland agricultural regions of Washington and Oregon and divides the two states along most of their border. It is a spot of unparalleled beauty that hosts two railroad lines: BNSF to the north and Union Pacific along the southern shore. In Columbia River Gorge Volume I: BNSF's Fallbridge Subdivision, Pentrex explored the BNSF side of the Gorge, heading east from Vancouver, Washington to the arid desert mountains near the John Day Dam. Now, in Volume 2, we jump across the river to head back west toward Portland following Union Pacific's Portland Subdivision.

Tracing the eastern banks of the upper Mississippi River is BNSF’s St. Croix Subdivision, a mostly double-tracked route providing access for a nonstop parade of traffic from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Pentrex takes you across the entire sub in the late 1990s, filming throughout the seasons to bring you a unique perspective on this important, busy line. Starting at the Grand Crossing diamond in La Crosse, where BNSF crosses Canadian Pacific trackage, we follow intermodal, coal, grain, taconite, manifest, and other trains along the shores of the Mississippi. Bald Eagles are seen circling overhead, boats ply the waters, and train whistles echo off the surrounding bluffs.

The Union Pacific Railroad produced its classic documentary film Last of the Giants in 1959 as a fitting tribute to the world's largest steam locomotives-the Big Boys. UP cameramen filmed the Big Boys over a three-year period, which Pentrex re-released in 1992. It ran for a total of just 23 minutes, leaving hours of unused footage that was set aside for many years.

In August of 2002, former Santa Fe steam locomotive 3751 returned to the rails for a thrilling excursion from Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona and return in honor of the NRHS 2002 National Convention. Leaving Los Angeles, the mighty 4-8-4 battled the grades of Cajon Pass before setting out across the desert to Needles, thrilling spectators with her awesome displays of steam power. The following day, the 3751 completed the trip to Williams where she prepared to head up the Grand Canyon Limited excursion. This highlight of the Convention featured the 3751 running on the Grand Canyon Railway, doubleheading and tripleheading with GCRy's own steam power! The scenic splendor of South Rim vistas framing nostalgic images of doubleheaded and tripleheaded steam on the rails - it's an incredible sight that can't be beat!

From headwaters in Canada, the Columbia River flows over twelve hundred miles to the Pacific Ocean and for many of those miles it marks the boundary between the states of Washington and Oregon. Cutting through the Cascade Mountains, the river slices through an 80-mile stretch known as the Columbia River Gorge where the basalt mountains tower up to 4,000 feet above the water. Nearby dormant volcanoes such as Mount Hood and Mount Adams add to the incredible beauty of the Gorge area. Following the north bank of the river between Vancouver and Pasco, Washington is Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Fallbrook Subdivision. This is a prized site for railfans, offering spectacular vistas and nonstop railroading. Journey with Pentrex from Vancouver east to Maryhill along this scenic route and experience the variety of trains and motive power that ply this famous line.

Documents electric railroad operations in the Chicagoland area from 1900 to 1990.

Railroad action from throughout Minneapolis/St. Paul. Includes eight railroads and Amtrak passenger trains.

This collection of rare training and PR films was produced by the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1950s and Pentrex is proud to present them together for the first time ever! Early diesels, including E- and F-Units, PAs, and F-Ms dominate the motive roster, many in Black Widow paint scheme.

The last diesel locomotive rolled off the Alco assembly line in 1969, but the hills of Northwest Arkansas still echo the distinctive sound from Schnectady. Watch a one-hour, "up close and personal" look at the people, places and machines of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. See Century 420s climbing the highest mountain grade between the Appalachians and the Rockies. Hear the throttle yanked into "Run eight." Ride the cab of a smoking T-6 switcher kicking cars on a branch line. Visit the shops that keep the Alcos going strong. And take a ride into history aboard RS-1 #22 pulling a special passenger train just for us.

From the archives of Pentrex Media Group comes the second in a series of vintage railroading films from the 1940s and 1950s. Volume 2 contains five promotional films that will delight railroad enthusiasts of all ages! Both steam and early diesel power are featured in these rare glimpses of an earlier time. These advertising films helped promote awareness in the minds of the American public about the value railroads played in their daily lives. Take a nostalgic journey back to those former days with these historic films.

Originally known as the Illinois Traction System, the Illinois Terminal Railroad was a significant provider of passenger and freight service for central Illinois, with Springfield as its hub. Now, with this fascinating collection of color and black and white films and photographs you can revisit the Illinois Terminal during the height of its career.

Doublestack containers have revolutionized the railroad industry. You can see them everywhere across the nation. Yet one of America's most famous railroad landmarks has been off limits to doublestacks due to numerous tunnels with restricted clearances. Now, after millions of dollars and months of hard work, the famous Tehachapi Loop has doublestacks traveling around it in spectacular style! Pentrex visited Tehachapi to show the results of the work done in the tunnels and trackside to prepare for the doublestacks. A season of record rainfall in California left hillsides green and gorgeous, and every shot in this video is a beauty! You'll see the latest high-powered, high-tech locomotives growling up the grades and pulling their mile-long trains around the Loop. This video has it all: spectacular shots of the newest locomotives, nonstop train action, incredible scenery, and now doublestacks for the first time!

Volume I is based on the films of noted rail photographer Emery Gulash. It showcases the famous locations, trains, and equipment of the Santa Fe and the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1952 to 1980. Highlights include: Alco PAs, RS3s, RSD-15 Alligators, RSD5s, and Century 636s; Baldwin Centipedes, switchers, and Sharks; E- and F-units, FTs, GP9s, GP20s, SD40s, and FP45s; GG1s, Boxcabs, MP54s, Silverliners, Decapod steam, and more! Featured are the El Capitan, Super Chief, Grand Canyon, Texas Chief, Broadway Ltd., Spirit of St. Louis, Pennsylvania Ltd., Admiral, plus other passenger and freight trains at work in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio! The footage used in this series comes from the archives of Green Frog Productions. In creating this series for PBS stations, they have selected the very best scenes and subject matter available for your entertainment!

Presents a behind-the-scenes look at the work and engineering required to put traveling shows aboard railroad cars. The World Circus Museum at Baraboo, Wisconsin, the Great Circus Parade at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and The James E. Strates Carnival, which travels the Eastern U.S., are featured.

Produced by the Union Pacific during the 1970s, these films bring you a nostalgic view into the day-to-day workings of a railroading icon. These vintage films take you back a generation yet they are as entertaining and informational today as they were 30 years ago! You re Workin on the Union Pacific!

See zebra-striped switch engines and GP9s. Warbonnet and blue & yellow F-units, GP9s, U-Boats, GP35s, SD45s, and F45s in this fantastic collection of Santa Fe training and promotional films from the 1950s and 1970s! You ll also see a welded rail train, a track geometry car, repair shows, icing docks, and much, much more. Each of the six films included in this program is a vintage gem!

Union Pacific Challenger 3985 made its first-ever venture east of the Mississippi River in November 1992 when it traveled off line onto CSX rails. This historic event was prompted by the 50th running of the Santa Claus Special, a tradition of the former Clinchfield Railroad that was being carried on by Clinchfield successor CSX. Each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Santa and his helpers would ride the special train, tossing candy and gifts to the children of the coal mining towns that lined the route from Shelbiana, Kentucky to Kinsgport, Tennessee.

Streamliners! The look captured the imagination of the nation. The name represented luxury, glamour, and mobility. Streamliners epitomized a new world of modern living, symbolizing style and technical evolution in the ongoing fulfillment of the American Dream.