All the news from the Modern Traction Scene during 2019.
Social & External
Educational film about Locomotive driver training
The Unreserved is an inquiry into the lives of passengers who use the Unreserved Compartment, the cheapest way to travel across India on the Indian Railways system. The film portrays the passengers’ aspirations, efforts and opinions through conversations and personal stories.
Short documentary about the new ICE. On March 19, 1985, the ICE was officially handed over to the Bundesbahn at Krupp in Essen during a rollout ceremony attended by invited guests, experts and media representatives.
No matter what your age you'll love watching this impressive and comprehensive story of the development of railroading in America. Rail enthusiasts as well as history buffs, teachers and home schoolers, plus kids of all ages will appreciate this magnificent rail adventure covering live action historic operating railroads, rare photos of drawings and valuable memorabilia, and live action re-enactments. Featuring spectacular cinematography and an inspiring musical score, this Award-Winning four part DVD covers over one-hundred years of railroading evolution.
Discover the "character" of one of Missouri's oldest tie and lumber operations through this archival black-and-white film that documents one of the last railroad tie drives on the Black River made by the T.J. Moss Tie Company of St. Louis in the 1920s. Thanks to release of the film by the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation, the rare footage in "Stamp of Character" takes us through the entire process of making railroad ties, at a time when forests covered almost two-thirds of the state. The original silent motion picture was shown in movie theaters as an advertisement by the T.J. Moss Tie Company. Using digitally edited narration and realistic sound effects, this video makes the past live again.
For the past ten years, Jürgen Henn has filmed over-height trucks crashing into the 11foot8 train bridge affectionately nicknamed the "Can Opener." In that time, millions have viewed the crashes online. Regional, national, and international news organizations have dined out on the story and the goofy crash reels. But why do motorists continue to crash despite the many warnings, sensors, and signs? And what is it about these crashes that holds our attention? In this piece, we look for the humanity in human error.
Pioneering 3D promotional film about the Pennsylvania Railroad.
We travel along with the crew of the Grafton & Upton railroad for a day, and capture all the action from the cab and the ground! We travel from the headquarters and yard in North Grafton to the yard in West Upton a distance of 7 miles. Our train is powered by GP-9R #1750 EX Bay Colony EXX Pennsylvania Railroad. We see some of the scenic points along the line from the cab as we travel through the central New England landscape! As the crew in the locomotive captures all the action, a crew trackside captures all the action on it's way to West Upton Yard!
In this 2 DVD set, we take a unique perspective look at the Grafton & Upton Railroad! We mounted a Pro 180° HDV camera to the hood of G&U GP9-R #1751 and travel from Hopedale yard to the yard in North Grafton. We travel over the recently reopened section from the newly rebuilt Hopedale yard through the scenic woodlands to West Upton yard. From the West Upton yard we travel through more scenic woodlands and scenic fields as we traverse the grades to Grafton Center and descend to the yard in North Grafton and CSX interchange.
In this two DVD set, we capture action from the ever growing Grafton & Upton Railroad. Located in Central Massachusetts, the G&U operates from the CSX interchange in North Grafton to the currant end of operations in Hopedale. A total of 16 miles. During the Fall of 2013, the G&U operated a special Photo Freight to welcome in their latest locomotive! EMD F7A #1501. This classic hood unit performed run by's with a freight consist and the G&U lone caboose. We captured the action from North Grafton Yard to Hopedale and return. The 1501 put on a fantastic show for the small crowd! Next up we capture action from the past couple of years, as the G&U grew in size! We captured the dirt train, regular operations and action in the yards in Hopedale and North Grafton! Also we captured the 2012 "Caboose Extra" with the 1501 still in the New York Central inspired paint scheme. We captured all of G&U's active power, including the seldom seen CF7 #1500!
On December 31st, 2009 The Grafton & Upton made their first trip from North Grafton to West Upton yard since February 2004. This also marks the first trip under the new management. The G&U has done an extensive overhaul on the 7 1/2 mile line from the CSX interchange in North Grafton to the yard in West Upton. Blackstone River Productions was there to capture this historic event! We capture GP9-R #1750 on her first trip to West Upton Yard on New Years Eve day 2009! We capture it in the yard in North Grafton, Downtown Grafton, West Upton yard and many more scenic locations!
In volume two, we take a look at the Grafton & Upton railroad's Caboose Extra ("Santa Train") on December 18th, 2010. Then during the Spring of 2011 we spend a day with G&U's newest locomotive, GP9R #1751 for a trip from North Grafton yard to West Upton yard and return. We see the crew of 3 put the day's train together in North Grafton and then chase it to West Upton yard. In West Upton we capture the crew switching out the Trans-loading facility and making the train up for the return trip to North Grafton. We then chase the train back to North Grafton yard! Non stop action on the G&U with #1751 & GP9R #1750!
The latest expansion for the G&U is the acquisition of the Milford Running track, that G&U now has operating rights from Franklin Forge to Milford. The G&U also rebuilt their mainline from Hopedale to Milford. We hop aboard a G&U MP15AC #1160 for a cab ride from Hopedale yard to Milford yard, then we reverse direction and head to Franklin. We then take the head end again and capture the Franklin to Milford on the Milford Running track (Leased from CSX / MBTA) Then we capture action from the ground as we chase the Hopedale to Milford and the Milford Running track! We also capture Foreign power of the G&U and MBTA detour trains!
A hand-colored ride along the Bangor-Conwy-Colwyn Bay railroad filmed from an express train from the London and North Western Railway; Stations, vistas and a tunnel under the Conwy Castle (misspelled in the title) in North Wales.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the most important religious journeys for millions of people around the world. But how to get there? This documentary shows us how 12 companies met the immense challenge of running a high-speed train through Saudi Arabia's sandy rocky desert in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. A true marvel of engineering and cooperation, and together, overcoming obstacles.
Documentary about the German railroad system and it's trains
On July 31st, 2011 The Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts chartered a special excursion on the Conway Scenic Railroad. The trip covered the CSRR Crawford Notch line (EX Maine Central "Mountain Division") from North Conway to the New Hampshire Central interchange in Hazens (Whitefield, NH). This rare mileage excursion featured track not used by the regular passenger trains by the CSRR! The star of the day was CSRR's steam locomotive #7470.
The German railroad has been in operation since 1835, but the darkest chapter in German railroad history is often forgotten. Extensive original film material from the Nazi era shows the dubious role played by the Deutsche Reichsbahn during the Second World War and how little resistance there was among the railroad workers.
Model husbands prove that size isn't everything as they get steamed up over Lilliput locomotives.
Meet the crew of the Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985, the largest and most powerful steam engine in the world. This colorful documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at the conductors, engineers and mechanics who keep this fickle train running, an engaging history of steam power, and a scenic tour the Great Plains -- from Cheyenne, Wyo., through Denver and across Nebraska to the Omaha headquarters of the Union Pacific.
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.
A comedic, brutally honest documentary following self-destructive TV writer Dan Harmon as he takes his live podcast on a national tour.
Brilliant, long in-the-works story of the life and art of the world's greatest comedian and the cinema's first genius, Charlie Chaplin. Produced, written and directed by renowned film critic Richard Schickel.
Join the likes of Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Florence Pugh, and Vincent D’Onofrio as they reveal how Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” was conceived and created. Witness firsthand what it took to pull off the show’s pulse-pounding action set pieces, and discover how iconic characters from the pages of Marvel Comics such as Kate Bishop were adapted and brought to life for the six-episode series.
The story of the triumphs and hurdles of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees. The iconic trio, who found early fame in the 1960s, went on to write over 1,000 songs and have 20 No. 1 hits throughout their career, transcending more than five decades of changing tastes and styles.
Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.
A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.
Interviews with leading authors, philosophers and scientists, with an in-depth discussion of the Law of Attraction. The audience is shown how they can learn and use 'The Secret' in their everyday lives.
“Showrunners” is the first ever feature length documentary film to explore the fascinating world of US television showrunners and the creative forces aligned around them. These are the people responsible for creating, writing and overseeing every element of production on one of the United State’s biggest exports – television drama and comedy series. Often described as the most complex job in the entertainment business, a showrunner is the chief writer / producer on a TV series and, in most instances, the show’s creator. Battling daily between art and commerce, showrunners manage every aspect of a TV show’s development and production: creative, financial and logistical.
The life of Mr. Spock, as well as that of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played him for almost fifty years, written and directed by his son: Adam.
A documentary about the making of season five of the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad.
Those who knew iconic funnyman John Candy best share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews.
The life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.
A documentary special that explores the power of identity behind the iconic superheroes we know and love today. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world outside our window – they have become a reflection of our own identities and who we truly are.
Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."
Legendary journalist Gay Talese unmasks a motel owner who spied on his guests for decades. But his bombshell story soon becomes a scandal of its own.
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.
