This is a very good DVD.  As would be expected with a 7idea Productions video, the videography is excellent.  The picture quality is extremely good and the camera work was done very professionally.

Starting from Portland, Oregon, we take a trip up the Oregon side of the Columbia River on the Union Pacific’s Portland Sub in this video.  We are treated to spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge as we follow the UP route alongside the river, our tour ending at Hinkle, OR, where the Blue Mountain Sub begins.  The video was shot between June of 2011 and February of 2012.

Along the way we see the Bonneville Dam, Multnomah Falls, The Dalles Dam, and the John Day Dam.  Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round water fall in the U.S.   We also see some wind farms with their huge wind generators turning.

This is a DVD that you will come back and watch again and again.

Title Columbia River Gorge Part 1: Union Pacific’s Portland Sub
Producer 7idea Productions
Format Wide Screen
Playing Time 1 Hr 58 Min
Purchased From TrainVideoDepot.com
Date Purchased 03/15/12
Price Paid $27.95

As you might have heard already UP 844 developed flat spots on her drivers this week while traveling through Texas.  The big engine was taken to the Georgetown RR shop in Georgetown, TX, for repairs.  While at the shop facility, UP boxcar UPP 9336 (which carries the stairs so people can look in the cab, plus other support equipment) somehow collided with a gondola, causing extensive damage to 9336.  The incident occurred Friday.  A photo of the damaged car is below.  Details of the incident are sketchy but apparently 844 was NOT involved in this incident, just the support car.  Makes you wonder what impact this might have on UP’s steam program.  Back in the summer of 1994 the passenger cars for NS’s excursion consist were in a low speed collision in a freight yard, and a few months later the program was cancelled. – Photo by Cliff Downey

up

modelersIn the Spring of 1961, PRR hotshot NF-6 (“Non-Feed”), a livestock schedule from Chicago to Harsimus Cove, NJ, passes under the signal bridge at MP 127.7, just west of Orrville, OH on the Pittsburgh-Chicago main line.  With cuts and consolidations in the railroad’s still massive passenger network, the PRR has taken advantage of surplus passenger power to assign E-units to the train on this day, suiting the high-speed nature of the schedule.  In the distance, a westbound loaded coal train (“mineral train” in PRR terms) heads for the Lake Erie docks at Sandusky, OH.  Submitted by Fred Ripley – photos on his Pennsylvania Layout.

Hello Railfan friends. Here we are at the April meeting. If you missed the March meeting, a great time was had by those in attendance. The business portion was short, the refreshments were good and the program was GREAT. Our guest program presenter, Gary Ostlund or GOO as he is known on the internet, had some absolutely fabulous photos of Milwaukee Road electrics that he took while residing in the Pacific North West. While not a long program, Gary showed us images of the locomotives and general area as he explained each scene in detail. I was totally absorbed by it. If you missed it, well shame on you!

There is not a lot to discuss this month; the officer will meet again prior to meeting night to iron out any details of the meeting. I will be purchasing the banner for our table at the upcoming Friday Night Live events which will be held in Down Town Madisonville. Bill Thomas plans to have an Out Door style layout built on his trailer to deliver at the event to go along with a TV/DVD playing train videos. These activities should make for a good time. Now, one point to make here. We need to have members present on the three nights. Our planned activities will be taxing for a couple of us to manage. Wally will have his steam engines going as well. So Members, please take time out for at least one of the event nights.

Bill needs material for the newsletter. He needs things such as photos, stories, historical notes and research etc. I am convinced our Chapter has an abundance of knowledge and history right on tap; one only has to let us know about. Remember, what seems to be a mundane story to you may be very interesting to the rest of us.

Looking ahead, we will have a very special program/tour of the Hopkinsville L&N RR Freight Depot for our May meeting. Make plans to attend.

Tom Johnson has refreshments and program this month. Tom plans to give us a choice of Illinois Central Steam Finale or Illinois Railway Museum DVD’s. Either will be very entertaining I am sure.

SO…Members, come on out Monday April 23rd at 7:00 PM and join in the fun and camaraderie. After all, this is “Your” Chapter.