Follow steam locomotive Frisco 1522 on an historic journey through Texas as she pulls Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Employee Appreciation Special.

Starting in Fort Worth, the train heads south through Temple and on to Houston and Silsbee-a whole new territory for this powerful 4-8-2 Mountain-type locomotive. The 1522 got a good workout, producing intense bursts of stack talk while lugging 16 gleaming passenger cars through the Texas hills. She performed flawlessly, highballing over former Santa Fe track at incredible speeds.

You'll follow the 1522 on her travels for a total of eight days, spotting at railroad icons such as Tower 55, Tower 17, TN&O Junction, and more. On the run out to Silsbee and back the special traversed the former Southern Pacific Sunset Route between Houston and Beaumont. The train passed small towns and rolled through beautiful, rural landscapes. Join us trackside for fantastic show of steam railroading as the 1522 conquers the Lone Star state!

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. Option to listen with or without narration.

Pentrex, 70 minutes, in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. px1522gt
Price: 22.95 USD

On June 1, 2008, AT&SF 3751 made its first trip from Los Angeles to San Diego in 55 years and Pentrex was on the spot with multiple camera crews using the latest in high-tech equipment to bring you the best possible coverage of this exciting event. Using our famous aerial photography as well as trackside and onboard cameras, we were able to capture the train from all angles —and we do mean all! We were able to get some truly incredible shots! The powerful 4-8-4 Northern never looked better as she headed south along the beautiful Southern California coast.

The skies were clear and sunny as the 3751 departed Los Angeles at the head of its 10-car train. The Amtrak unit behind the 3751 was placed in reverse mode for the turn-around in San Diego and to provide head end power for the cars. Otherwise, the special was pulled entirely by steam. Our camera crews had the train well covered as it followed the west side of the Los Angeles River, past Amtrak ’s Redondo Yard, and headed east to Fullerton and then to San Juan Capistrano. A photo run-by for passengers took place at the Poinsettia Station where the thirsty Baldwin stopped to be watered and serviced before proceeding to San Diego. Leaving the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the oil-burning 81-year old steamer filled the canyons with a throaty exhaust as it tackled the 2.2 percent grades of Miramar Hill. In a scene reminiscent of the glory days of steam, the 3751 pulled into San Diego ’s classic Mission Revival style station where fans of all ages were waiting to greet the train.

Our special coverage of this historic excursion also includes some rare in-cab footage of the 3751. There ’s nothing quite so thrilling as the sights and sounds of big steam on the rails again and Pentrex has captured all that excitement for you in Above 3751 to San Diego!

DVD Special Feature: Chapter Menus provides instant access to program segments. Shot in High Definition and Widescreen (16x9) Format. No region code; can be played in NTSC DVD players worldwide. Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case.

Pentrex, 1 hour 30 minutes, in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. pxa37sd
Price: 22.95 USD

Stretched against the sunning backdrop of Glacier National Park, Burlington Northern ’s transcontinental mainline climbs up and over the rugged Rocky Mountains. One scenic splendor after another unfolds as long freight trains struggle up the mountain pass. It ’s the pre-merger days of the early 1990s and Pentrex is trackside to record the battle of trains and nature. The grandeur of the mountains is almost overwhelming as we explore the line from Whitefish, Montana to points east of Browning.

You ’ll see trains snake their way through the tunnels and along the banks of the wild middle fork of the Flathead River. Train after train rumbles through forests of aspen and larch decked out in glorious fall colors or struggles against winter ’s storms. After crossing over the high bridges and through the famous snow sheds, the trains work hard up the pass to crest the summit.

Marias Pass takes on a different look on the east slope. Wild, desolate country with ever-present mountains marks the high plateau. You ’ll see trains cross over Two Medicine Bridge and struggle upgrade through Grizzley. The solitude of Spotted Robe is broken as you watch a heavy grain train grind its way up the grade.

Burlington Northern and Mother Natures combine to make this stretch of railroad a place to be visited time and time again. No matter how often you ’ve been here before, you won ’t want to miss this vision of magnificent Marias Pass.

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

Pentrex, 1 hour 30 minutes, in Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration. pxmarias
Price: 22.95 USD

Where Trains Fly and Eagles Soar. The Seward and Whittier Subdivisions on the Alaska Railroad.

The Alaska Railroad series continues with a fascinating look at operations on the Seward and Whittier Subdivisions during the summer of 1994. We ’ll treat you to a 3-day tour of the lines between Anchorage, Whittier and Seward, trackage that runs past the incredibly scenic vistas of Turn again Arm and Kenai Fjords National Park. The route from Seward to Portage takes the trains over the crest of Kenai at 1,060 feet, up 3 percent grades, and through 5 tunnels!

Traffic on the Whittier and Seward Subs consists of Anchorage-to-Seward passenger trains; the Whittier Shuttle carrying passengers, cars, and trucks; unit coal trains; and freights that serve the rail barges. These are led by GM diesels including GP35s and GP38s, GP40s and GP49s, plus a few surprises such as an F7-B and a Budd RDC. You ’ll also see many cabooses at the ends of these trains.

The highlights of our show feature the Port of Whittier where the Trainmaster juggles 10 trains and 2 rail barges against 20-foot tides with only one GP30 switch engine, a passenger train made up of former SP bi-level coaches, rides through the tunnels aboard the Shuttle, a 6-unit lash-up of 5 GP49s and one GP40 leading a heavy coal train, maintenance-of-way equipment, and a special military move. But not to be overlooked is the astonishing beauty of red sunsets, towering snow-draped mountains, and sea green glaciers that are backdrops to the silhouettes of these trains. The Alaska Railroad serves a land of incredible beauty, a place where trains fly and eagles soar!

DVD Special Feature: Chapter Menus 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.

Copyright Mind's I Productions 1994. A Mind's I production. Produced in cooperation with the Alaska Railroad.

Pentrex, 45 minutes, in Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration. pxalf
Price: 22.95 USD

Along the Hudson Division Combo DVD.

Featuring These 2 Shows on 1 Disc!

Along the Hudson Division and Amtrak's Turbo Trains Cab Ride.

The Hudson Division is one of the most scenic and interesting sections of Amtrak ’s Northeast Corridor. Running north/south from Penn Station in New York City to Albany-Rensselaer, it follows the course of the Hudson River and offers beautiful vistas, charming old railway stations, and the special character of the river itself. However, it ’s not just the scenic landscapes that attract railfans to this area. In 1992, when Pentrex documented the line with two video releases, the Hudson Division was FL-9 country. We ’ll take you aboard one of these classic diesels and also treat you to a cab ride on a Turbo Train. Get ready for an exciting tour of the Hudson Division! Included on this combo DVD are:

Along the Hudson Division:
Join Pentrex in the cab and trackside from Penn Station, New York City north to Albany-Rensselaer. The line is home to both Metro North ’s and Amtrak ’s fleet of Electro-Motive FL-9 diesel-electric/electrics. These unique locomotives are the highlight of the tour, but we ’ll also see Amtrak Turbos, Metro North MU cars, and Conrail freights. See Amtrak ’s Westside line from the cab as the train snakes out of cavernous Penn Station. Cross over the newly rebuilt Spuyten Duyvil Bridge, and ride along the shore in this exciting, beautiful journey.

Amtrak ’s Turbo Trains Cab Ride:
Climb aboard an Amtrak Turbo Train for a high-speed run south along the Hudson Division. The ride is as smooth as it is fast and the scenery is spectacular. You ’ll see Conrail freights flash past and meet other Amtrak trains on their northbound journeys. Once in Metro North territory, you ’ll see Metro trains –classic FL-9s and MU cars –busily rushing New York commuters off to the City. Nearing NYC, the line diverges onto Amtrak ’s Westside track. We cross over the bridge at Spuyten Duyvil and end our Turbo Train adventure at Penn Station.

Presented in Standard Definition 4x3 Format; No region code; can be played in NTSC DVD players worldwide; Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case.

Pentrex, 1 hour 30 minutes, in Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration. pxhud
Price: 22.95 USD

Featuring Eight Rare Promotional, Training, and Safety Films Produced in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Here, combined on one DVD, are the first two volumes in an exciting Pentrex film collection featuring your favorite railroads of the 1950s-1970s!

VOLUME 1: MO-PAC DELIVERS. Produced by Missouri Pacific in 1975. Mo-Pac demonstrates its many strengths to prospective customers in this rare promotional film. See welded rail installation, maintenance of way equipment, automated wheel shops and hump yards, dispatch center, specialized freight cars, unit trains, modern diesel locomotives, and more! (25 minutes).

PORTRAIT OF A RAILROAD. Burlington Northern, 1973. BN moved 100,000 cars on 126,000 miles of rail to transport food, fuel, and goods to American markets on a scale only the railroad could handle. This is a tribute to the people and equipment that could pump 2,000 freight cars a day through its classification yards. (26 minutes).

SWITCHES, HANDBRAKES & YOU. Chicago & North Western, 1974. This detailed and instructive film in the Safe Railroading Series shows employees the right and wrong ways to handle switches and hand-brakes. Featured equipment includes ball, lever, high stand, dual control, and spring switches; plus wheel and lever hand brakes. (22 minutes).

TLC (Tender Loving Care) CN Rail, 1978. Transporting newsprint requires special care and attention; otherwise it's easily damaged and expensive to replace, as Canadian National rail workers learn in this informative program. You'll see the skills needed to load, route, and deliver this valuable commodity just in time. (22 minutes)

VOLUME 2: THE FREIGHT GOES THROUGH! Association of American Railroads, 1952. Yard workers get a good look at damage prevention techniques and the effects that temperature and load have on coupling and rolling speeds. Both steam and diesel engines are featured in this AAR training film. (18 minutes).

THE RIGHT TO COMPETE, AAR, 1956. The importance of revising Federal regulations to permit fair competition among different transportation modes is promoted in this 1950s-vintage AAR film. Featured railroads include Southern Pacific, Missouri Pacific, the Pennsy, New York Central, B&O, Santa Fe, Nickel Plate, Seaboard Air Line, and more. (14 minutes).

NEW DIRECTIONS IN MODERN RAILROADING, AAR, 1966. The AAR demonstrates how new developments are bringing traffic back to the rails. See welded rail, tunnel expansion, electronic communications, special-purpose freight cars, just-in-time delivery, piggyback and containers, grain and coal unit trains, and passenger transportation on the GN, UP, SP, PRR, SOU, NP, ATSF, NYC, C&NW, ACL, and others. Narrated by Chet Huntley. (28 minutes).

THE RIGHT TRACK, AAR, 1967. Kids (and adults, too!) learn lessons in safety in this timeless film featuring the New York Central. What seems like fun can have deadly results when trains are involved! (16 minutes).

DVD Special Feature: Chapter Menus provide 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, 2 hours 51 minutes, in Color with Original Sound Track and Narration. pxarc12
Price: 22.95 USD

One of the most scenic stretches of railroad track in the West follows the blue Pacific coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego. Known as the Surfline, this famous route was filmed in detail by Video Rails in the mid-1990s. The resulting two videos have now been combined on one DVD to bring you all the historic sites, exquisite scenery, and railroading action you look for. Included on this DVD are:

Amtrak the Surfline

Our journey begins at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal and heads south to San Diego. You'll stop at each station along the Surfline route to see the unique features of these historic boarding points, including the lovely San Juan Capistrano station. Highlights of your tour feature views of the famous Carlsbad wooden trestles, interesting motive power including Amtrak's Dash 8-32 BWH, Santa Fe freight action, and the fantastic oceanfront scenery found along the Surfline! (1 hour)

Amtrak Surfline Cab Ride

Climb aboard a new General Electric P32-8BWH for a cab ride on Amtrak's train 579, the San Diegan, at speeds of up to 90 mph!. You'll witness many train meets and see gorgeous beach scenery along the fastest stretch of track on the West Coast. It's a fantastic ride! (1 hour).

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, 2 hours, in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. pxvrsurf
Price: 22.95 USD

The Northeast Corridor was a modern commuter raceway when Pentrex set out to capture this busy line in 1992. So much great footage was filmed with Amtrak's cooperation that two videos were released giving viewers an exclusive, insider's look at Amtrak's pride and joy. Now both shows have been combined on one Combo DVD, bringing you the whole Northeast Corridor story. Included are:

New York City to Philadelphia

Focusing on this electrified heavily-trafficked portion of the line, our program brings you a fascinating mix of old and new technologies. Trains roar down the electrified mainline at speeds of up to 125 mph, governed by Automatic Block Signals and dispatched from Philadelphia. Yet manned block towers dating back to the turn of the century can still be found in use on the line. Experience over 150 Amtrak and commuter trains in action as you visit Penn Station, Hudson Tower, Newark, Trenton, Princeton Junction, and Zoo Interlocking and the venerable A and Zoo towers on your trek from New York City to Philadelphia. (80 minutes)

Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Exploring the electrified south end of the system, our cameras capture over 100 commuter and Amtrak trains between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. You'll see the action at Eddystone, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware; Perryville, Havre de Grace, Aberdeen, and Baltimore, Maryland; and the D.C. area. You'll also go on a private tour of the CETC control center in Amtrak's 30th Street station and visit Washington Union Station's K tower. A special highlight is a ride in the cab of an AEM7 locomotive at the head of a Metroliner train doing 125 mph! (80 minutes)

DVD Special Features: Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments. In Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration; Full-screen (4x3) Format; No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide. Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case.

Pentrex, 2 hours, 40 minutes, in Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration. pxnec12
Price: 22.95 USD

At the Throttle Cab Ride Vol. 1 (DVD). The San Bernardino Subdivision —Los Angeles to San Bernardino on the BNSF.

With the camera secured to the front of an eastbound stack train and the scenic landscapes of the BNSF San Bernardino Subdivision stretching before you, you ’re “at the throttle ” and about to experience a train ride like no other! In this show, you ’ll get a truly unique, railroader ’s perspective of the 65 miles between Hobart Yard in Los Angeles and the city of San Bernardino. This line supports Amtrak, Metrolink, and heavy BNSF freight action, and you ’ll see plenty of this as you ride the rails.

Beginning with an early departure on a beautiful spring day in 2008, you ’ll leave Hobart Yard, cautiously observing the 10-mile per hour speed limit until the entire train is on the mainline and the engineer can bring the heavy train up to speed. Running southeast past Pico Rivera, Los Nietos Junction, and La Mirada to Fullerton, you ’ll get to observe the routing procedures that support the Amtrak Pacific Surfliners, westbound freights, and Metrolink commuter trains that compete for track space. Moving east past the Fullerton Station, you ’ll slip past one of three remaining Santa Fe cantilever signals and head toward the horseshoe bend in Santa Ana Canyon. At West Riverside, UP joins the BNSF rails for the trip over Cajon Pass. By the time you reach the San Bernardino Station, enough daylight remains to give you a start onto the Cajon Sub to Devore. This has been no conventional cab ride; this has been an unobstructed view of the line that few people will ever experience! Welcome to Volume 1 of “At the Throttle! ”

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

Pentrex, 2 hrs. 27 min., in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. pxatt1
Price: 19.95 USD

At the Throttle Cab Ride Vol. 3 (DVD): Train Meets

Welcome to Pentrex's Volume 3 of At the Throttle. With our camera mounted on the lead engine of a BNSF train, we ’ll take to the rails to bring you a spectacular and unique perspective of railroading like no other! Volume 3 is dedicated to train meets, the exciting encounter of two opposing trains traveling on parallel tracks. You ’ll travel throughout Southern California to experience meets with freight, commuter, and passenger trains at a variety of locations, including the Alameda Corridor and the BNSF ’s San Bernardino and Cajon Subdivisions.

This is no conventional cab ride. As you travel the rails, you ’ll view meets from many intriguing angles. Our camera is sometimes mounted at the wheel, on the coupler, at the front of the cab, even on top of the engine! These images were not only shot during daylight; there are many fascinating night scenes as well. You ’ll see meets with Union Pacific, KCS, BNSF trains and Amtrak ’s Southwest Chief and Pacific Surfliner, plus a drag race on the climb to Summit. There ’s a good mix of motive power to savor, such as AC 4400 CWs, Dash 944 CS, GEVOs, and Amtrak ’s P42 DCs. The main thrill, however, is the feeling of being right there, just above the rails, with the ground shaking and the wind whipping as another long train slips past you. Enjoy the adventure-you ’re At the Throttle!

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

Pentrex, 1 hour 30 minutes, in Color with Stereo Sound and Narration. pxatt3
Price: 19.95 USD