Reviews
There are a surprising number of steam locomotives still in operation on America’s many tourist railroads and operated by some major railroads If these largely non-profit organizations weren’t around, many of America’s engines would have likely been scrapped. Steam Across America is an excellent way to see many of these survivor locomotives as they continue to garner attention from railfans and the public alike.
In Steam Across America, with a 90 minute running time, viewers are treated to seeing a wide range of steam locomotives from these museums and railroads, representing the many wheel arrangements of the various steamers built over the years. The DVD covers Americans, switchers, geared locos, small steam, Pacifics, Consolidateds, Mikados, Decapods, 12-wheelers, Santa Fe's, Berkshires, Northerns and articulateds.
Opening minutes of the DVD discuss the formation of rail museums and railroads such as the Tweetsie, the Silverton, Steamtown and the Cass Scenic, all which helped preserve steam engines. Throughout the DVD rail historians such as John Hankey tell the need for and development of bigger and faster steam locomotives through the years. Each class of locomotive is represented with colorful, short action runbys of different wheel arrangements. For instance, the 4-4-0 is shown at Greenfield Village and at the Golden Spike National Historic Park, while 0-4-0s and 0-6-0s are represented at the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana, the White Mountain Central, and the New Hope and Ivyland RR. Geared engines are shown operating on the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley, Georgetown Loop RR, and the Mt. Washington Cog RR. Small steam locomotives are represented by engines at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Everett RR, and Clark's Trading Post on the White Mountain Central.
Representative Pacific locomotives are shown at Steamtown USA and the Kentucky RR Museum, whereas 2-8-0s take center stage at the Monticello RR Museum in central Illinois and on the Three Rivers Rambler. Mikado run-bys are featured at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and with Southern's #4501. Northerns include Union Pacific’s #844 and N&W’s Class J #611 while articulateds are represented by engines on the Niles Canyon Railway and the Black Hills Central.
This action DVD presents varied locomotive styles in an entertaining and organized manner. All the viewer has to do is sit back and enjoy the show.
—Don Heimburger, Heimburger House Publishing Co.