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"Grand Scale" Miniature Train
Convention 2007
If you are familiar
with the hobby of LIVE STEAMERS, this may
well be a dvd just for you.
Live
Steamer clubs are spread out all over the world.
When I
was
younger, I spent many a happy hour running a "heavy Pacific" type live
steamer at Los Angeles Live Steamers in Southern California.
On
any Sunday afternoon families would patiently stand in line to take a
ride on this 7 1/2 inch guage, 1 mile railroad in Griffith Park.
In fact, they still do... and have been doing so for over 50
years.
Recently a fellow from the mid-west named John Woods contacted me.
He told me
his
group has just finished a DVD about their grand-scale Miniature Train
Convention
held in 2007. (Yes, it took them a while to finish the DVD.
We all know how that goes.)
John is the owner and developer of the ATT&NW Railroad
(also known
as the Arborway, T.T. & Northwestern). This is a
relatively
new project (with its beginnings in 2001) and this was their first
really big convention.
Now, this isn't just any backyard railway we are talking
about.
This is a railroad on over 2500 acres of land near
Steelville, Missouri featuring 15 inch guage
track! They already have over 6 miles of active mainline
track. That makes this the
longest 15" guage railroad in North America.
When a "miniature railroad" is developed using 15-inch guage track,
well...that
is getting to be pretty darned serious, in
railroading terms. 15 inches is about halfway up to a
full-sized
narrow guage operation. The locomotives are so big, the
engineer
disappears inside the cab.
(This is
one of the 15-inch guage locomotives as seen in this video.
The engineer is a little cramped, but completely "inside" the cab.)
Now, I'll bet you are wondering...
Did I like the ATT&NW 2007 Miniature
Train Convention video?
I sure did. I loved seeing these "grand scale" locomotives
all
gathered together at a "grand place"...a place I wish I could go and
visit first hand.
The video is very nicely photographed and edited.
There is
clear and concise narration to explain the details of both the
locomotives and the track which includes details about building the
railroad.
Now, I will be the first one to tell you, this is not a
show for everyone. It is highly specialized
subject matter for a highly
specialized audience.
So, while being very well produced, ATT &
NW Miniature Train Convention 2007
video is probably best suited for the live steamer
enthusiast.
You know who you are. I don't need to go any
further about this.
So, if grand-scale miniature railroad activity is your cup of tea, let
me
tell you what you'll get if you order this video.
The video consists of not one but TWO dvd's in a single case.
DISC ONE runs about 66 minutes. It presents the highlights of
this
3-day convention showing people and locomotives arriving, unloading,
people getting acquainted, and trains getting underway. The video then
proceeds to
explore the expansive railroad and the various engines that were there.
There are interviews with key people, including our friend John
Woods telling about all the amazing work that
went into
creating this railroad over the last 6 years. Below is a map
of
what they have built so far...and this is just the beginning of their
railroad.
(It
takes a train about 1/2 to complete the journey from start to finish.)
The
video has runbys in the yard and scenic vistas out along the
mainline. There are pacing shots of the 801. There
are "cab rides" and
interesting shots with cameras mounted strategically on the
locomotives.
There
are engineer point-of-view shots along stretches of the railroad.
You'll see their signal system,
shots of the trestle, tunnels, and crossovers. There are inviting
"golden hour" shots (at sunset) as the
trains curve past their impressive little "lakes." I heard
they
are planting pine trees like crazy wherever they have disturbed the
landscape during construction. In a few years they will have a nice
stand of forest to add even more dimension to the facility.
And then, there are all the locomotives to
see, including:
- a magnificent 4-8-4 Northern
(the official icon
for the railroad)
- a 2-6-0 mogul
- a set of F-units (2 "A" units)
The dvd is menu-indexed for scene selection and the image quality is
top-notch. (Crisp, clear images and steady, tripod-mounted
cameras.)
DISC TWO of the 2 dvd set runs about 46 minutes and uses a little
different approach. There is no narration. The
video
essentially narrates itself by using additional bits of interview
footage. And it shows locations that we already understand from
watching the first disc.
There is a chapter on this dvd where the "hostlers" walk us through the
morning fire-up of the #801 (seen above on the turntable.
Notice
the detail of their classic brick roundhouse!)
There is additional footage from cameras mounted on the locomotives as
they travel down the track. Plus lots of extra runbys of all
the
trains ...shots that are somewhat random, but edited for maximum
contrast and appeal. This extra dvd is a real nice bonus.
When you consider the sheer size and expense of creating a 15-guage
railroad, it's easy to see why these are all quite rare sights. And
on
this 2-dvd set they have been nicely preserved and should be greatly
appreciated by the grand-scale, miniature railroad fan.
Please
note: This is NOT a Golden Rail Video production.
We are helping distribute it for the ATT&NW Railroad
and
letting you know that this unique and hard-to-find subject matter is
available.
As
you probably know, Golden
Rail Videos are a little different. They are
produced to engage even the
most
casual railfan and hold their attention throughout. People
are
always telling us, "Your videos are the only (train) videos my family
will watch with me."
This new
video is targeted only
for those
who have a real interest in this kind of grand-scale
miniature railroad
activity.
I emphasize this partly because this is a rather pricey
little title.
It runs $48.00 including shipping....but it is 2 DVD's.
And it is a limited-distribution product. (Plus,
all the proceeds go toward the maintenance of the operation.)
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So, if you'd like to explore these miniature railroad activities on a truly
"grand-scale", click here to special order the brand-new ATT &
NW Miniature Train Convention double disc dvd. It is $48.00 for the two dvd's and this price includes shipping.
Rob Simpson
(All
images courtesy of the ATT&NW team.)
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