Diesel Dinosaur Delights-The Early Years.

To an Alcophile, there's nothing sweeter than the wheezing, whistling, barking sound produced by a smoke-belching, burbling Alco diesel. Simply sighting them is cause for elation among the throngs of enthusiasts who seek them out. In this three-volume series we set out to document an example of every Alco model remaining in operation, a journey which takes us throughout North America.

Volume 1 covers the early years of the Alco diesel. Locomotive models are presented in chronological order by their first production dates. Switcher models that are powered with the Model 539 prime mover such as the HH660, S-1, S-2, S-3, and S-4 are shown in operation, along with RS-1 and RSD-1 Roadswitchers. You'll follow Alco's progress with the introduction of the Model 244 engine in both freight and passenger diesels. Model RS-2, RSC-2, RS-3, and RSD-5 units are viewed working for various shortlines, museums, and industrial users. Exhilarating scenes show the last two operating Alco PAs pulling passenger trains in Mexico. Volume 1 concludes just before the release of the Model 251 engine. Join Pentrex in this quest for diesel dinosaurs as they seek out Those Incredible Alcos!

Locomotive Models/Railroads: HH600/Santa Fe (still picture only), HH900/Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, HH660/Relco, HH1000/Relco, S-1/Maine Coast, Bath & Hammondsport; S-2/Tioga Central, Buffalo Southern; RS-1/Livonia, Avon & Lakeville, RSD-1/Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, FA/Potomac Eagle, PA/National Railways of Mexico, RSC-2/Mid-Continent Railway Museum (MILW 988), RS-2/Michigan Southern, Detroit & Mackinac; S-4/Connecticut Central, RS-3/Paperton Junction Southern (private),Batten Kill, Magma Copper; RS-20/Green Bay & Western (on lease to Badger Mining),Tioga Central; S-3/Winnipesaukee & Pemigewasset Valley, RSC-3 (still picture only)/Pacific Great Eastern, RSD-5/Western Maryland Scenic (Still picture only).

DVD Special Feature: Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments. Full-screen (4x3) Format. No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide. Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case.

Pentrex, 1 hour 57 minutes, in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. pxalco1
Price: 22.95 USD

Sleek Century Behemoths-Late 251 Production & Beyond.

In this third of Pentrex's three-volume series about the incredible Alco diesel, the Century models show their muscle. These 251-powered locomotives were the last group produced by Alco before operations ceased in 1969. Montreal Locomotive Works continued to build these Alco-designed diesels until selling to Bombardier, which carried the torch until 1988. The progression of models built by these three companies is followed in chronological order to bring our series to a close.

The search for sleek Century behemoths took us throughout North America. Surviving Alco C415, C420, C424, C425, C430, C628, C630, and C636 locomotives are viewed on main lines, shortlines, and industrial operations. MLW's RS37, C630M, M630, M636, M420, M420B, M420R, M420TR, and M420TR2 diesels lug, chug, and put on fantastic shows in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Bombardier LRC, M424, and HR616 units bring the series to an end.

Our show concludes with a narrow-gauge DL535E diesel working in California's Imperial Valley. Isolation makes it a rare catch for all but the most hardy Alcophile. You'll see the unit hauling cars of raw material across 27 miles of desert. The newest 251-powered diesel in the U.S. is a fitting end to our celebration of the enduring Alco diesel.

Locomotive Models and Railroads: RS C-424, Minnesota Commercial, Belt Railway of Chicago; C-420, Minnesota Commercial, Belt Railway of Chicago; C-420, Cartier, Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia; M-630, National Railways of Mexico; C-430, New York, Susquehanna & Western, Morristown & Erie; C-415, industry at Huntington, WV; C-636, M-636, Cartier; M-640, CP Rail; New York, Susquehanna & Western, Apache, Arkansas & Missouri; C-628, National Railways of Mexico; C-625, Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern, New York & Lake Erie, Detroit & Mackinac, Wabash & Ohio; C-630, Cartier; M-640, CP Rail; M-420TR, Roberval & Saguenay; M-420, Canadian National; M-420R, Iowa Interstate; M-420B, British Columbia; M420TR-2, Pacifico (Mexico); LRC, VIA Rail Canada; M-424, Pacifico (Mexico; HR-412, HR-616, Canadian National;

DVD Special Feature: Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments. Full-screen (4x3) Format. No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide. Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case.

Pentrex, 1 hour 57 minutes, in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. pxalco3
Price: 22.95 USD