The host did come off as if he was hosting for a Sesame Street program about trains. I watch it but as I have been watching the program, I find I get more annoyed by the host and his "kiddish" enthusiasm. Keep the program, love it, find another host.:ru-unhappy:
... or maybe take the camera from his kid and give it to a grown-up! I was also wondering why he was always having to bend down to look into the camera.
It is Steam Trains this week, focusing on the UP Steam Program. I wonder what will "scare" him this week!
I agree with wost of you. over the top, geared for non rail fains. I do enjoy watching it, with a grain of salt. I like the steam episode. There were two engines in that train and I never heard the say a word about the DX44 (Is that right?), was it in uses, or there just if needed? John
Depending on who you believe (there seems to be a lack of good info) the diesel is there: 1) To provide HEP. This makes the most sense to me, there's 23 cars to power. 2) To provide help on steep grades to the train can keep time. Seems likely to me, given 844's capability. 3) In case 844 breaks down, it can be moved clear without waiting for another engine to show up. Maybe. It's probably some combination, but I bet #1 is the largest factor. Steam locomotives can't power 23 cars with HEP. If you're going to have something that generates HEP power, why not make it a locomotive so that #2 and #3 are at least possible, if almost never needed?
I work in the film industry for the past 30 years and it seems that everyone is in agreement that they like the series but not the host or the style in which it's presented. Besides expressing your views in the forum, I hope you are also writing to the History Channel as well. The History Channel has invested a lot of money into this series and if it's not getting decent ratings it's hard for them to sell ad space. If a show isn't getting the rating they were hoping for, they can either revamp the show or cancel it. If enough people write in about their displeasure with the host or the style in which the show is presented, they will listen to your suggestions.
SO I am not the only one who thinks the host is a little on the ADHD side! I like how he walks around hunch-backed and yelling downwards at the camera. The series looks good but the host must go. I think he says that he is a railroader where he lives. I know he is trying to explain things to a bunch of viewers that know nothing about trains, and I give him credit for making this the "Trains for idiots": video version of the book. The enthusiasm and yelling must go though. I hope others notice the crews reactions to him when he is riding the trains. It is the same look most railroaders give to people of that level of excitement. It makes me laugh!
The host, Matt, is a freight conductor for Pan Am (Maine Central). That makes his on air performance even more inexcusable. He should have disagreed with the producers and director when they told him to act this way. Because he should know how railroad professionals who are concentrating on their jobs dislike people who act this way. As for notifying the History Channel of our feelings, I address the following question to the Moderator(s) and Administrator(s) of the TrainBoard Railfanning Discussion Forum..... * Is it possible and permissable to forward this thread in its entireity, or a link to this thread, to the History Channel, and/or the Producer(s) of Extreme Trains? If so, will you please do whatever you feel would have the most impact. I think forwarding the entire thread with all of our opinions expressed without any flames would have the most impact, thanks.
I'm sure the DD40 is there for HEP but most of the time diesels are also tacked on for dynamic braking. As for the host, I don't mind him. I'm also a car nut and most automotive shows feature hosts just like him.
Steve, When I was working as a trainman on BNSF/METRA commuter job #1288, the last commuter job of the commuter day, it was especially fun in the summertime. Among the reasons was that several of the western 'burbs sponsored Antique car or "Cruisin' Nites" or "Muscle Car" displays. As regards the latter, the village of Downers Grove hosted a "Muscle Car" nite every other week(on Weds. IIRC). The cars were assembled and on display in the parking lot at the Fairview Ave Metra Stop. Our job had a short turn there and after crossing over to MT3 and changing direction, we would "lay over" at Fairview for about 15mins. All of us(the whole crew!)used to jump off and go "drool over" the muscle cars on display. Most of us were old enough to remember most of the cars. Quite a sight, and a pleasant interlude on our loooooong afternoon and evening. CT
The Empire Builder episode The episode with the Empire Builder was awesome!!!!biggrin::thumbs_up: We have our own Switzerland here in the USA.
Personally, I consider that the host's mannerisms reflect in a detrimental fashion on anyone interested in prototype, or for that matter model railroading and tends to reinforce the public's view that folks interested in railroads are, in general, a bit peculiar. There have been far better railroad associated series presented on PBS and history related channels previously which have employed normal hosts that conveyed what some might consider rather dull, technical information in an interesting, informative manner. It's a shame they could not have done so with Extreme Trains. NYW&B
I enjoyed that one, too, especially since I have spent the last three summers working in Glacier National Park. I took the train to GNP and back last summer, so it was familiar territory. I do wish that he'd covered the Portland Section, but I suppose that there was not time.
There wasn't time because they feel the NEED to go to Steamtown every single dang episode!!!!!!!! I mean come on, do a episode on steamtown then leave it alone SO much time is lost from the "current" episode to once again show steamtown. What the hell did a coal tender have to do with the circus train they were showing,,,,,, NOTHING!!!!!!
Speaking of the circus train episode: did anyone else see the absolutely fantastic shots of the Tehachapi Loop? Careful, you may have blinked and missed them. There were several shots taken in and around Tehachapi and NOT ONE WORD about one of the most extreme train spots in the country!! Instead we got multiple shots of the host fretting about being late on a 45 mile trip. Overall I like the series, but that episode had immense potential for improvement. Or maybe it's just my West Coast bias showing through again...
Did anyone see what looked life F units parked under the bridge? Almost looked like GN empire colors....or was I zoning out again? Still to me any train show or show with trains in it are OK by me.
The show was okay but I found the host annoying and rather silly. But I must remember too, that the audience that's perhaps being targeted is of the kind that enjoys that kind of lightweight, slapstick drama. For those of us who've read about, ridden and enjoyed trains over a lifetime, there wasn't much to learn. The Empire Builder program was particularly good for me because that's the first train that I ever traveled on as a child back in the late forties. When the host said that the route was pretty much unchanged, I found myself paying particular attention to bridges, tunnels, stations and other scenes that I certainly passed by but was too young to remember.
I saw some clips of this show, the shots look great and some of the info is interesting, the host is kind of annoying, but seems pretty par for the course for Discovery channel stuff.
