After the depression, people wanted to get out and the first Ski Train ran in 1936. By 1939/40 the Winter Park ski area had been developed and the service became very popular. When America entered the war in 1941 the trains halted for a couple of years were back by 1947 and remained hugely popular especially with the youth programme. The old equipment became worn out and in 1985, under new ownership, the rich tradition was continued. New cars at $1,000,000 each were too expensive so used cars were bought from VIA Rail in 1987. A new three tier system was developed with the new Luxury cars aimed to rival the European Orient Express. Join us to learn the history and to see the trains and the cars over the last 60 years.

A Story about Eastern Kentucky Coal

Join Green Frog through the professional digital camera of Rich Scheid as we visit CSX's Eastern Kentucky coal country. We'll wind up the branches to the coal mines where we'll see coal being loaded. Our trip also takes us along the main line between Paintsville, Kentucky and Elkhorn City at the Virginia border. Then we'll visit the coal yards of Martin and Shelby, Kentucky. Next we'll climb into the cab and ride aboard a set of pushers behind a coal train from Shelby over the Pine Mountains into Virginia. Then we'll ride the head end back through Elkhorn City and on to Shelby.

In the winter of 1987 we ventured to Canada to capture some incredible railroad action. Stratford, Ontario is our base as we enjoy some plow runs on the branch lines that Canadian National (CN) owned. These lines only saw sporadic freight runs, thus when the winds blew the snow around, the railroad quickly became covered to the point a snow plow extra had to be dispatched to clear the line. Quantity of snow is not the problem, it is the wind, causing drifting, which fills the cuts and valleys. Powering the CN plow is a pair of Canadian National first generation F7s along with the orange snowplow. We'll see how the plow is operated, and even get a short ride inside as they plow a siding. First, we catch a run to Wingham, Ontario. On this run we record one of our signature video shots, as we get pummeled by the flying snow. This scene landed on a TV blooper show many years ago. After the thrill of plowing the Wingham line, the next day a freight run is made to Wingham, and the crew granted our request by running the F7s instead of the usual GP9. A couple of days later the plow is called again to clear the entire line north to Owen Sound, and finally another trip to Wingham, where the plow derails clearing a siding. This video has some incredible snowfighting scenes, as the plow roars into the snow-covered areas to make the snow fly. Clouds of snow are blasted with shear force. Unusual railroad action!

Through Green Frog's professional railroad photographer Rich Scheid, we'll visit the Holly and Lakeshore Subdivision's on the old Grand Trunk Western Railroad.

We pick up where we left off on Volume 2 at Pontiac Michigan. We'll head down to the scenic Bloomfield Hills area, including Royal Oak and Detroit visiting locations like Milwaukee Junction, and the Michigan Central Depot at Delray Junction.

Then we'll ride in the engineer's seat for a delivery of a train load of coal at one of the Detroit Edison's coal burning power plants.

We start out look at the Moffat Route at Leyden, west of Denver, with a BNSF trackage rights train dropping down the grade, then a coal train followed by the ski train just after dawn. Next we see the ski train and Amtrak on the Big Ten curve, then it's on to Blue Mountain crossing, where the tracks go through a horseshoe curve and climb up to tunnel 1. Distributed power can be seen over the top of the head end units as trains drop down the hill. Next is Plainview, with the ski train meeting BNSF, Amtrak with flame at the stacks at Crescent, a couple of meets at Cliff, a coal train by the frozen Boulder Creek, the ski train in the snow at Tolland and an eastbound exiting the Moffat Tunnel.

See Amtrak, freights with helper service, yard action - including hump yards, track crews keeping the railroading running as well as Ohio River crossing.

New Mexico...the land of Enchantment and a tour along the BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE's busy, scenic Gallup Subdivision would not be complete without a close look at the wide open spaces of western New Mexico.

Previously, we've seen the rugged grandeur of New Mexico's Abo Canyon with its magnificent bridges and now, we push further west along the BNSF's New Mexico Main. The vast arid high plains and towering red cliffs form a breathtaking backdrop for the BNSF's new distinctive orange and green Heritage paint scheme reminiscent of the fabled GREAT NORTHERN. Also you'll see BURLINGTON NORTHERN's familiar green and white units, SANTA FE's blue and yellow units and of course, the nostalgic red and silver Warbonnets.

This fast-paced program features the Rio Grande Zephyr gliding along its entire 565 mile spectacular route. Shot between 1971 and 1983 in all seasons and weather conditions, this vintage footage was taken from the Zephyr as it wound its way through 28 tunnels climbing out of Denver along the Front Range to the 64 mile-long Moffat Tunnel.

We'll see Corwith Tower, Brighton Park Crossing, Root Street Tower, Ash Street Crossing, Gresham Tower, Vermont Street Tower and station (Blue Island), Blue Island Junction, State Line Tower, Hohman Avenue Tower, Grasselli Tower, and Hick Tower.

Williams Junction is the point at which the Phoenix Line branches off from BNSF's transcontinental mainline from Chicago to California.

SCENIC TRAINS OF BC RAIL

Travel to the British Columbia Railway in Western Canada to enjoy a great mix of scenery and railroading. BC Rail freight trains traverse this rugged country with modern power for the most part, but an occasional old ALCO can still be seen on the freights and in the Squamish yard as we watch a rare RS-18 at work. While the majority of the video covers diesel action, BC Rail also offers passenger service in the form of RDC's which are self-propelled rail cars. In addition to RDC cars we'll see the famous Royal Hudson train with 4-6-4 #2860, and a special appearance of 2-8-0 #3716 on a freight train. There is lot of action here, including pushers up Birken Hill cut into the middle of the train, and pristine mountain lakes adding to the already magnificent mountain backdrops. All this with live audio, and no scenes are duplicated in the Scenic Trains of Canada video although some were shot during the same time. Nearly all of the video was shot during good weather as we range from the waters along Howe Sound north of Vancouver to Kelly Lake north of the Fraser Canyon near Lilloet. At Pavillion, we see a freight on the huge horseshoe curve, and watch another train cross the Fraser River. There is some fine railroading to enjoy in Scenic Trains of BC Rail.

SCENIC TRAINS OF CANADA

Take a lineside journey to Western Canada to enjoy a great variety of trains and fabulous scenery. This video comprises scenes with freight trains and passenger trains on Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, and the British Columbia Railway. In addition to mainline diesel action, there is also plenty of steam to enjoy with Royal Hudson 4-6-4 number 2860 and 2-8-0 number 3716 on the British Columbia Railway, plus 2-6-2 number 1077 at Ft. Steele, and a rare 2 foot gauge authentic woodburning steam engine at Prince George.

by Richard Luckin * 116 mins * colour * hifi sound * narrated

Silver Tread Trough The West ! The California Zephyr.

Here is the complete story about America's favourite train. Travel aboard the California Zephyr and view America at eye level. This was the grand hotel on wheels, a veritable silver lady. A travel mode that provided scenery, comfort and high class service. Enjoy a meal in the dining car, discover what it was like to ride in a Vista-Dome hear from a Zephyrette. Learn how difficult it was to decide to terminate the California Zephyr.

Super Chief - The complete story about America's premier train. From Chicago to Los Angeles, there was no other way to travel but with speed, style and service. We climb aboard the Super Chief, the showcase train of the Santa Fe Railway setting the highest standards for all western passenger trains. "The Super Chief was the supreme American Passenger Train run by one of America's great railroads which will go down in history as a great monument to our rail industry."

by Green Frog Productions 90 mins * colour * stereo hifi sound * narrated

The spectacular beauty of the Columbia River with its ever changing scenery can be scene thru Green Frog's professional railroad photographer Rich Scheid.

We will start out in Spokane Washington and work our way west thru Washington's golden rolling hills of wheat, visiting towns like Sprague, Ritzville, Lind, and Pascos, BNSF's division headquarters with yard and shops.

Then we'll cross the Columbia River at Pasco to its north side and follow the great river with its diverse scenery. We will visit towns like Wishram with its yard nestled at the bottom of the gorge and work our way west thru some of the most spectacular scenery in this country. At Dalleport we will see the Locks, Dam, Falls and trains with beautiful Mount Hood in the background. Next we'll follow the spectacular shoreline of the Columbia River Gorge thru, tunnels, past shear rock walls and from many vantage points. Then on thru Bingen, Hood, Cook, Home Valley, Stevens, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington with its depot, yard, and bridge over the Columbia River. Then we'll cross the Columbia River into Portland, Oregon to the beautiful Portland Union Station.

We visit the St. Louis Missouri area and across the Mississippi River in the East St. Louis area with Green Frog's professional railroad photographer Rich Scheid. We'll see places like Kirkwood, St. Louis Union Station, the Downtown area of St. Louis, as well as some locations on the BNSF such as Webster Grove, Old Orchard, and Downtown St. Louis.

On the east side of the Mississippi we'll visit locations like Lenox Tower in Griffith Illinois, and visit locations of other railroads like the Illinois Central in Belleville IL., Swancea, and Norfolk Southern in Belleville.

Lots of passenger trains as well as freight trains.

Our most requested sequel! Taped between O'Fallons and Gibbon Junction on Union Pacific's Overland Route, this is the busiest piece of freight railroad in North America, averaging over 125 trains a day. Coal trains, grain trains, drag freights, autoracks and speeding intermodals all pound the rails for continuous heavy duty action, with loads of meets, lots of new "wings" and some run through power. Taped from dawn to sunset over several days in August 2002, this is big time railroading at it's best.

Join us for a return visit to BNSF's Nebraska helper district, where heavy coal trains struggle up the 1.55% grade over Pine Ridge and through Crawford Hill's famous twin horseshoe curves. Lots of sound and fury as sets of SD70MAC's assault the grade aided by sets of SD60M helpers. You'll also see older power on manifests and intermodals, including former Santa Fe "warbonnets" and Cascade Green SD40-2's. Awesome action and heavy duty railroading through deep cuts, around horseshoe curves and up steep grades!

We start at Perryville, Maryland which is the end of the line for MARC. AEM7s and HHP-8 locos are seen pulling conventional cars. Also seen are P40 and P42 diesels on long distance trains. Norfolk Southern has trackage rights and unusually we see a mixed train pulled by NS power during daylight hours. At Elizabeth NJ we see New Jersey Transit trains plus F40s ALP 44 electrics as well as Amtrak’s AEM7. Also seen - Acela express and NJ Transit with a variety of unique diesel power at Hoboken NJ.

Regular Price £ 20

Staggering, continuous coal train action on BNSF's Orin line in the Powder River coal basin. UP shares the line, and there is a continuous parade of trains. Lots of meets, a couple of side by sides, and 8 (yes, eight) trains in one shot, and even a broken knuckle. Some nice storm light and some glorious sunset shots, this is one amazingly busy place.

BNSF mainly run SD70 Macs but also some older power is seen. They have recently released some C44-9s for coal service. UP power is mainly AC44 and SD90/43Mac but whatever the power there are some seriously heavy trains.

We spent two days at the famous over/under at Davidson Canyon, in November, 2000, when the wings were new, and in May, 2002 when they were abundant! We also caught several of the new flag paint scheme, and a number of the new flair 70M's. A special treat was a scruffy SP tunnel motor leading.

Continuing our very popular winter theme, we visited Marias Pass in January, 2002. Heavy snow and 70 m.p.h. winds marked our visit, and BNSF celebrated by dumping a westbound intermodal off the bridge at East Glacier on the Saturday night. We taped some of the cleanup work on Sunday morning, and caught the first train to pass the wreck. Lots of dash 9's in both Heritage schemes, and a number of warbonnets, plus SD40-2's, including some still wearing Cascade Green. Taped between Blackfoot and West Glacier, all the favorite locations including Two Medicine Bridge, Spotted Robe, Bison, False Summit, Marias, Java, and Essex, and the weather goes from sunshine to heavy snow.

EMD's F40 is the engine that saved Amtrak, powering the nation's passenger trains for 25 years. Now about at the end of it's career with Amtrak, the F40 soldiers on in commuter service, and leased to other carriers like CSX and the Ski Train. See the F40 in action on Amtrak, CSX, CalTrain, ACE, MBTA, Metra, the Ski train, Pandrol Jackson, in freight service on the UP, on the Iron Road with a chopped nose, and as cab control cars.

Go deep into the valleys of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, and eastern Tennessee as Rich Scheid and the Green Frog cameras follows the Kingsport line of CSX--formerly the Clinchfield Railroad.

Enjoy real mountain railroading as CSX trains, many of them behind GE and EMD alternating current locomotives, move relentlessly through the Blue Ridge Mountains of the three states. Helper service abounds!

We start at Elkhorn City, the former northern terminus of the Clinchfield, and follow the line south through the fall colors past the Pool Point Trestle and through Clinchco, Fremont, Allen, Dante, St. Paul, Frisco, Kingsport and Johnson City to Erwin. Norfolk Southern also runs through the region, and we also see these thoroughbred trains in action.

Cisco is the point in the Fraser River Canyon where CN & CP cross each other and the Fraser on big steel trestles. This highly scenic location sees plenty of trains from both carriers, CN in particular running some huge freights. Directional running is now the norm, with westbounds on CP and eastbounds on CN. Two days of trains!

The perfect place to go railfanning. If you cannot make it in person, Highballs excellent production gives you a feeling of being there. Pull up your seat and get transported along with freight to this very special area.

The Rocky Mountain Railroad Club has once again opened their archives of the works ofÊ Otto Perry, noted rail photographer. Enjoy long gone passenger trains and freights pulled by classic diesel locomotives from Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive Division, Alco, GE, Krauss-Maffei, and more including an Santa Fe-1, AB6, FTs, F3s, F7s, E6s, E8s, Centipedes, Eries, & PA-2s. Railroads throughout the United States are seen in this unique film footage including "Fallen Flag" and pre-merger roads: AT&SF, CO, CB&Q, CM&StP, RI, D&RGW, GN, NP, GM&O, IC, PRR, UP, SP, T&P, TP&W, WAB, and many more. Relive the great era of early diesels. Great nostalgia!

72 mins * colour * hifi sound * narrated

The six unique Morrison-Knudson Caterpillar engined 5000 hp MK 5000C's now spend their lives on the Utah railway, dragging heavy coal trains up the steep grades and through the twisting curves of the Price River Canyon on their way to conquering Soldier Summit. These big units look and sound different, so join us as we chase them up and down the canyons of Utah's famed route over Soldier Summit. See these unique engines in the dramatic scenery of Utah.

One of the most spectacular portions of BNSF's transcontinental mainline is Marias Pass. The line climbs through the rugged Rocky Mountains Amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.

Machines of Iron traveled from Whitefish, Montana through the Aspen forests and along the banks of the Flathead River.

The weather in Marias is unpredictable and we see it all in this video from bright sunshine to rain and snow.

Trestles, tunnels, high ridges, and natural wonders make this video a must for anyone's collection.

Dolton Junction is located about 23 miles south of Chicago's loop. The joint Union Pacific/CSX line crosses the Indiana Harbor Belt and CSX. To the west is the IHB's Blue Island yard with a bridge carrying the Illinois Central over the Belt. The Pennsy's former 'Panhandle' line is abandoned south of the junction and these days sees little traffic north of the junction, primarily the 'Bottle Train' carrying molten steel. The CSX line to Barr Yard is the former Baltimore & Ohio, Chicago Terminal. The UP and CSX south of the junction was formally the Chicago & Eastern Illinois. Our location is the southeast corner of the diamond.

See two days of trains and get a look inside the tower. There are many paint schemes from the four major railroads, plus Canadian Pacific, SOO and the IHB.

A tribute to the best loved paint scheme in America, the classic red & silver Santa Fe "Warbonnet", resurrected in 1989 and applied to freight locos for fast intermodal service. We take a look at this spectacular paint scheme in current service at many favorite railfan locoations on Cajon and Tehachapi Passes and the Mojave and Seligman Subs. We include a brief history of the Warbonet paint and its re-introduction in 1989 and look at the types of locos wearing it

It's the dawn of a new era for the Union Pacific Railroad. With the merger of the Union Pacific and the Chicago & North Western and then the Southern pacific, including the Rio Grande, the Union Pacific has become a new Super Railroad.

The new railroad needs new Superpower and General Electric is happy to oblige with the powerful AC60CW, which generates an incredible 6000 horsepower. This new engine joins other super engines such as the 4,380 horsepower GE C44AC, the 4000 horsepower EMD SD70M and other powerful engines. The old 'Wing's nose herald has returned and is seen on many units.

A variety of power hauls long heavy freights over the UP's busy Nebraska mainline, across the green countryside and picturesque tank towns with their towering grain elevators. This fast paced journey begins at Lodge Pole, NE and works eastward to North Platte and beyond.

In the Summer of 2000 and the Winter and Spring 2001 Machines of Iron crews followed the Union Pacific line through the Blue Mountains from Huntington to Hinkle.

14,000 ton grain and soda ash trains are lifted up the 2.2% grade at 25 mph by 36,000 plus hp through such places as Telocast, LaGrande, Hilgard, Motanic, and Meacham.

Before all the mergers the Blue Mountains were the steepest grades on the Union Pacific. Over the years technology has changed but the Blues haven't. Lots of 'wings' and snow . . . . this is mountain railroading at its finest.