Great American Scenic Railroads

Focusing on the locomotives and railroad lines themselves as much as the scenic sights, Great American Scenic Railroads serves up 12 programs on six DVDs, with locales primarily ranging across America's western half. Being a Washington native myself, I cued up the third disc, which featured the episode "Mt. Rainier." Opening in the tiny town of Elbe, Washington, the program chronicles the railroad's part in the town's emergence as a center for transporting lumber. Now home to a hotel and a restaurant, Elbe's main claim to fame is its collection of historic locomotives, and viewers learn about the early manufacture of these trains as well as the restoration work currently being performed to keep them in tiptop shape. After the trains are pulled out of winter storage and serviced for duty, the camera follows the historic engines on the first run of the season along the 12-mile scenic route known as the “photo-run.” The other episodes in the set, which follow the same basic outline--combining local history, close-ups of the train, and scenic runs--include "The Blue Mountains," "Continental Divide," "Donner Summit," "California Western," "Durango & Silverton," "Cumbres & Toltec," "Rio Grande," and "Union Pacific." A beautifully photographed series that is sure to appeal to railroading hobbyists, this is recommended. Aud: P. (L. Stevens)