This two DVD set created by Iron Horse America and distributed by Pentrex is a joy to watch. We are taken back to the early 1990s to follow the route of the old B & O main line through the Allegheny Mountains of Maryland and West Virginia. We see the familiar yellow-nosed blue and gray locomotives of the CSX in the power lash-ups along with a few bright blue Conrail units and an occasional Chessie badged locomotive.

Most of the scenes are dated from the winter months of 1993 and 1994 and there are a few snow scenes included. The image quality is very good considering that it was shot twenty years ago and there is some very nice scenery serving as a backdrop to the railroad action.

The eastern Continental Divide is crossed as we make our westward journey from Cumberland, MD, to Grafton, WV. There are four torturous grades of as much as 2.8% that must be overcome along the route, one of which is the famous “Cranberry Grade.” Helper units are routine on this sub, which is called “The Mountain Sub.” The area included in these DVDs is also referred to as “The West End.”

We see one train “doubled” during the course of the video. It is called “doubling” when a train stalls and must be brought up the grade in two parts. In this case one of the helpers lost power and that was enough to stall the train.

Good use of maps was made and the maps included charts to show elevation, which really helps the viewer understand how tough the railroading actually is over this sub.

Good scenery, good image quality, great train action, informative narration, and good use of maps combine to make me give this one an “A.” I recommend it for your collection. Too bad it was not shot in wide screen format.