Great Trains of America (2000)
Review by Doc Ezra
Film:
DVD:

Produced by Iron Horse Media
Distributed by Goldhil Media

Features:

• Bonus documentary segments detailing:
  • Train safety and air brake operations
    
  • How to operate a steam locomotive
    
  • How to operate a diesel locomotive
    
  • Modern freight train operations
    
  • American passenger train history
    
  • Pacific Railroad Act
    
  • Commuter train operations
    
  • The future of American passenger trains
    
• Digital surround train sound gallery
  
• DVD-ROM content
  

Rating: NR, suitable for all ages

Anamorphic: N/A

My advice: If you dig that clickety-clack, own it. Pass otherwise.

Compiling the acclaimed PBS series “America’s Historic Steam Railroads” into a handy two-disc set, Great Trains of America gives railroad enthusiasts a glimpse of several meticulously-maintained historic trains. Divided geographically into East and West installments, the episodes each focus around one such railway, discussing its history, maintenance, and identifying characteristics. Footage is also provided of the often awe-inspiring views available from these scenic passenger trains.

If you’re a fan of trains, then these discs are for you. Every aspect of each of these trains is discussed in some detail, and the footage of each train’s path is the next best thing to being in the passenger car. The focus seems to be more on the trains’ current operations than their storied histories, so if you’re looking for heavy-duty documentary work on the American railroad system, this is going to seem a bit fluffy.

The DVD gives excellent quality video and audio, so the sights and sounds of each railroad come through crystal clear. The extra features are a mixed bag, with some historical perspective pieces and some more technical segments. The historical sections are fairly interesting from a non-enthusiast perspective, but other than that, there’s not much on these discs that will win new converts to railroad fandom. Essentially, the extras, like the episodes, preach to the converted, which is all they really aspire to do, so that’s fine. It does, however, render the set of limited interest to a broader audience.

So if you are a big train geek, these are a necessary addition to your DVD collection. If you’re not into trains, but are curious, then you might borrow or rent them to see if you could be swayed, but if you’re not at least mildly inclined towards the subject, I can’t imagine these will change your opinion.