Just wanted to pass on, our cable operator provides FAMNET channel, (associated with Rural Farm TV). They recently added, on Friday nights, a series called "Trains and Locomotives". The first three episodes I watched were on the SP Daylight, Cal Zephyr and the Dieselization of America. The SP and CZ shows were clearly a broadcast of a VHS type production from the late 1980s. The Dieselization story was a 1990 "Mark I Video" and more documentary like. All have been enjoyable and informative, just thought I'd pass along. -Brad
Hmmm. I have a video of the Cal Zephyr. I wonder if this is what you saw? Did it look like a RR company promotional film? Or was it an aftermarket creation?
The CZ video was clearly shot in the 80's but included parts of a WP promotional film from probably the 50's or early 60s. The video consisted of many interviews including passengers, Zephrettes and Myron M. Christy, the WP President when the CZ was axed.
There was a fellow who produced some nice WP and other videos, must have been back about twenty years or so, ago. Wish I could recall what he called his company. I am thinking this might be a possibility.
We get "Trains and Locomotives" on Monday afternoon at 5PM C.S.T. on RFD-TV with our "Direct-TV" package. I guess they try to do their best with what they can find that will fit a 1 hour TV slot with commercials added. Mostly it seems to me they do programs on museum/restoration railroads and restored steam running on special trips, the kind I refer to as "make black smoke and blow the whistle incessantly" trips. They do run some really good archival stuff every now and then which is what I like the best. They also run some modern day operations,commuter and freight, which gives one a pretty good idea of what's happening nowadays. Every once in a blue moon they'll run some traction stuff. I have also found that RFD-TV has some really interesting programs of interest to the general public like cooking programs,music and variety. Charlie
I think you are referring to Charles Smiley Productions, and yes his WP movies, which can now be found on DVD are great.
