Steam in the Autumn

Opening a New Frontier

January 1955 •English

A documentary outlining the railroad's roll in expanding the nation.

Last of the Giants

January 1959 •English

A Union Pacific production outlining the Big Boy locomotive and the history of the last great steam engine to rule the rails

End of an Era

March 1962 •English

A documentary on the passing of the steam locomotive as the primary means of transportation in the United States

A Great Railroad at Work

January 1942 •English

A documentary outlining railroad work and the effects on the lives impacted by the iron horse

Big Trains Rolling

January 1955 •English

A production of the association of American Railroads outlining the wonders of America's rail system.

Mainline U.S.A.

January 1957 •English

A documentary on the railroads of America produced by the Association of American Railroads

The Freight Train

January 1954 •English

EB Films presents a documentary on the life of the freight train in America.

Rolling the Freight

January 1947 •English

Film on the movement of material from the Chicago and Northwestern System.

Stamp of Character

January 1995 •English

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.

Once upon a Line

March 1947 •English

Model husbands prove that size isn't everything as they get steamed up over Lilliput locomotives.

Vlak č. 101

January 1947 •Czech

100 Years of British Trains

December 2007 •English

A fascinating compilation tracing the development of British trains throughout the 20th century. This program provides a record of the greatest days of steam; the magnificent express engines developed by the 'Big Four' - the GWR, SR, LNER, and LMS; many famous named trains like the Golden Arrow and the Brighton Belle, the War and Nationalism; and the amazing variety of elder locos from the 1950's.

Learning to Steam

December 1993 •English

Arfon spent a week on the Great Central Railway finding out everything a trainee footplate member needs to know. Starting at the bottom, just as a real trainee would have done on BR, Arfon first becomes a cleaner then gradually progresses up the ladder with ex-Fireman Ray Martin teaching him the art of firing. Ex-BR Driver Bill Gwilt then takes over to explain how to oil and prepare the loco followed by how to drive. Arfon then takes the controls of Clun Castle in charge of a seven coach “express” running from Loughborough Central to Rothley. If you have ever wondered how a steam engine works or how they are maintained or driven, this best selling video is for you.

Hitler's Steel Beast

January 2017 •French

Trace the history of Hitler's armored private train, a 15-car mobile headquarters boasting state-of-the-art communications and anti-aircraft cannons.

EMD at 100

December 2022 •English

For a century, EMD has built the majority of diesel locomotives in North America and the world. Noted videographer Rich Luckin looks at this builder's origins, growth and development, supremacy, and its role today as an arm of Progress Rail. This documentary includes the history of EMD, exclusive footage at the Indiana plant, many interviews with employees, and more!

Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks

September 2003 •Chinese

A detailed look at the gradual decline of Shenyang’s industrial Tiexi district, an area that was once a vibrant example of China’s socialist economy. But industry is changing, and the factories of Tiexi are closing. Director Wang Bing introduces us to some of the workers affected by the closures, and to their families.

Love Those Trains

May 1984 •English

Enjoy the romance of railroads as you ride on the Orient Express, climb the Andes, cross the U.S. on the Salad Bowl Express, and meet the Hobo King, who calls himself "Steamboat." From steam engines to sleek diesels, experience the majesty and adventure of trains past and present. Remember the days when thundering trains bridged the world's continents, nourished the pioneer spirit, ferried our troops to war, and provided politicians with mobile campaign platforms. Then settle into a first-class seat aboard the luxurious Orient Express, and glide through storybook cities from Paris to Istanbul. Celebrate a slice of history and ride the rails of the world. A National Geographic Production.

Model Citizens

January 2016 •English

Somewhere in the world right now--much closer than you think--people are playing with trains. You might not see them at first, but they're there. In basements. In garages. In converted Army barracks. They're among the world's most compelling underground communities.

Railroaders

January 1958 •English

A film about winter railroading in the Canadian Rockies and the men who keep the lines clear. The stretch between Revelstoke and Field, British Columbia, is a snow-choked threat to communications. The film shows the work of section hands, maintenance men, train crews and telegraph operators.

The End Of The Line: Rochester's Subway

May 1995 •English

"The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" tells the little-known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. Produced in 1994 by filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte, the forty-five minute documentary recounts the tale of an American city's bumpy ride through the Twentieth Century, from the perspective of a little engine that could, but didn't. The film has since been rereleased (2005) and now contains the main feature with special portions that were added as part of the rereleased version. These include a look at the only surviving subway car from the lines and a Phantom tun through the tunnels in their abandoned state, among others, for a total of 90 minutes of unique and well preserved historical information.