Empires of Steam

Belching steam like a thousand Old Faithfuls, few sights are more stirring to railroad buffs than monstrous steam locomotives chugging across challenging terrain. Unfortunately, these enthusiasts are often forced to travel great distances to see their behemoths in action. Empires of Steam takes the armchair traveler's shortcut, whisking viewers to China and India, where (as we are reminded frequently) even though steam locomotives are gradually giving way to more modern electric and diesel engines, they still service some of the remotest parts of both nations. While railroads were initially symbols of foreign intervention in China and India, with the expulsion of foreigners and the end of colonialism, the trains became representative of the rapid industrialization of both countries. Here, viewers will see--mingled in with the somewhat repetitious shots of locomotives billowing smoke--exquisite scenes of rural India and China, emphasizing the point that the trains opened up once inaccessible regions of these two emergent giants. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)