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At one time I would have said this series of tapes covers today's railroads and includes a mix of steam, diesel, and
traction, both in the U.S. and overseas. My video shooting began in the mid 80's and with all the changes that have taken
place, some of this early footage now has become vintage video of railroading that cannot be duplicated today.
Some of these tapes duplicate material on the more professional ones produced and marketed all over, that tell a
story and explain all to the viewer. However the difference is that rather than waste valuable tape time on interviews,
background material, and short sequences of the same bit of action, my tapes go right to the heart of what is interesting
- trains in motion, trains doing their thing. If an explanation is required it is provided before, not over the train video
and sounds.
I feel Train Watcher's like to watch trains and the more the better. Tape eliminates the time voids between trains
and so the action is almost continuous. Each tape is filled with a lot of great action with quality sound. The story line
is easily followed, thus eliminating the need for a great amount of narration. Most tapes can be seen complete or in parts
at any time. My intent is to provide you with the pleasure and satisfaction of watching trains, steam, diesel or electric
any time you so desire. To help in selection tapes of interest, I have separated the tapes into categories, steam, Diesel,
Traction, General, a mix of steam diesel and traction and/or a combination of any, Overseas Diesel and Traction and Overseas
Steam. This last tape listing covers Overseas Diesel, Traction and Steam shot while with my wife on overseas trips, or on
dedicated train chasing trips with a bunch of friends, all dedicated steam enthusiasts. I think you will be able to figure
out which is which.
The TRAIN WATCHER'S TAPES - OVERSEAS DIESEL AND TRACTION (and some Steam)
TW4 - EUROPE VOL. 1 by Rosemarie and John Szwajkart (appx. 1 hr. 51 min.) For most Americans, tourist or railfan,
railroad operations in Europe can be a surprise, rnging from standard gauge to narrow gauge, electric , diesel and steam,
with heavy density mainlines and very busy branch lines. Taken in 1986 this now vintage material is a peek at all the variety
that can be seen in central Europe. In you will see steam, diesel and electric operations on the SBB (Switzerland), DB (Germany)
and OBB (Austria), plus look at a number of private lines in these countries. You will find that European railroads are different,
busy, interesting, varied and heavily used. TW4 $31.00 ea.
TW5 - EUROPE VOL. 2 by Rosemarie and John Szwajkart (appx. 69 min.) Continues from Vol. 1 with more narrow and
standard gauge steam, diesel and electric on the OBB (Austria), a number of private lines and more mainline operations on
the DB (Germany). TW5 $25.00 ea.
TW23 - RAILROADS DOWN UNDER by John Szwajkart (appx. 47 min.) A look at traction in Australia, Sydney at Rush
Hour, and parts of the famous Melbourne streetcar system. Then it is on to New Zealand to look at steam at the Glenbrook
Railway Museum, a privately run NZR 4-8-4 in excursion service, and concludes with diesels on the NZR. TW23 $22.25 ea.
TW24 - MAINLINE ELECTRIFICATION - Vol. 1 - EUROPE by Rosemarie and John Szwajkart (appx. 90 min.) is an examination
of mainline electric operations in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. All this material was extracted from TW4 and TW5 and
consolidated into one tape covering electric traction. City streetcars, steam and most diesel operations have been taken
out. TW24 $27.25 ea.
TW40 - NORTH TO THE ARCTIC by John Szwajkart (appx. 86 min.) This is a look at some of the railways and their operations
in the Scandinavian countries. You will see electric and diesel trains in Denmark, streetcars in Finland, and steam and
electric operations in Norway and Sweden above and below the Arctic Circle. TW40 $25.25 ea.
The TRAIN WATCHER'S TAPES - OVERSEAS STEAM
{*}TW36 - WINTER PLANDAMPF (DAY 1) by Jack Wheelihan and John Szwajkart (appx. 71 min.) You may have heard of the
German Plandampf's but never seen one, this is your opportunity to experience one. The railroad is paid to substitute preserved
steam for diesel. One or more lines are selected and participants are provided with schedules of the operations. What you
do is up to you, you can ride, chase or go to a spot and watch trains. On this first day you will see start-up operations,
and the change into all steam running where passenger and freight trains are powered by 4-6-2, 2-8-2, 2-10-0, and 2-10-2T
locomotives. It's winter, it's a scenic, busy branchline, it's all steam, and it couldn't be better. TW36 $28.00 ea. tape
only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW37 - WINTER PLANDAMPF (DAY 2) by Jack Wheelihan and John Szwajkart (appx. 72 min.) Day two continues from
the first day except different locomotives are used on different trains. Steam (a 4-6-2, 2-8-2, two different 2-10-0's and
a 2-10-2T) is seen on both passenger and freight trains and in pusher service. Lots of neat action with two and three cylinder
steam locomotives. After this you will have a greater respect for and understanding of what it was like in Germany or in
the U.S. when steam powered all trains. TW37 $28.00 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW38 - WINTER PLANDAMPF (DAY 3) by Jack Wheelihan and John Szwajkart (appx. 73 min.) The Plandampf is over,
but there is more steam to see while in Germany. It is off to the Hartz Mountains and The Hartz Mountain Railway. It is
a meter-gauge line that takes tourists into the mountains and at the time is all steam powered. All day is spent on the line
and it is not what you would expect for a meter-gauge railway in the middle of nowhere. It turns out to be a heavily used
tourist line with lots of trains and the bonus is great scenery with steam in winter. Standard power is 2-10-2T's on all
passenger trains and they are found all over the system, which is covered in this tape. In addition, because of the Plandampf,
additional specials were run using older power, and these too are seen. TW38 $28.00 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW39 - WINTER PLANDAMPF (DAY 4) by Jack Wheelihan and John Szwajkart (appx. 57 min.) Continuing from "Day
3" there is still more non-Plandampf steam to see. This time it is running on two three-quarter meter gauge lines that
serve suburban communities around Dresden. The locomotives are small but they too put on a show equal to that of the full
sized railways and these too are quite busy rail lines in spite of their small size. Since shooting them both lines have
had major reductions in service. TW39 $27.25 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW46 - WINTER PLANDAMPF #2 (Part 1) (So this was what it was like) by John Szwajkart (appx. 60 min.) Another
Plandampf, this time on a different branchline, one serving a potash facility. Steam powered freight trains with up to three
locomotives, all 2-10-0's, working hard, plus steam powered passenger trains recreate the days when steam ruled German rails.
This is an in depth introduction to heavy freights using two and three cylinder 2-10-0's in mountainous country on a busy
branch line. TW46 $25.25 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW47 - WINTER PLANDAMPF (Part 2) (It's easy to get used to this) by John Szwajkart (appx. 64 min.) Another day
of double and triple headed potash freights on the same German branchline, plus steam powered passenger trains. Two and three
cylinder 2-10-0's power the potash trains and a 2-8-2 pulls the passenger train. Although it is a branch line, the trains
still run fast and though the chasing is rough it is very rewarding with great results. TW47 $25.25 ea. tape only, for dvd
check dvd listing.
{*}TW48 - WINTER PLANDAMPF (Part 3) (Back to reality) by John Szwajkart (appx. 80 min.) The last day of the Plandampf
has more steam powered freights and passenger trains along with the addition of a steam powered fantrip. This is followed
for the rest of the day and into the next, as it uses four different steam locomotives. This all concludes with a look at
current rail operations at Frankfort Station. TW48 $28.00 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW54 - WINTER PLANDAMPF #3 (Part 1) by John Szwajkart (appx. 66 min.) This tape begins the day before the regular
Plandampf. In it you get a chance to see current German railroad operations alongside the steam trains that will be running
the next day. This includes a chase of a double-headed steam freight to Arnstadt and concludes with a look at the activities
at the roundhouse that evening. TW54 $25.25 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW55 - WINTER PLANDAMPF #3 (Part 2) by John Szwajkart (appx. 84 min.) Continuing from Part 1, this covers days
two and three with a super mix of steam powered (2 and 3-cylinder 2-10-0's, a 2-8-2, and a 2-6-2) passenger and freight trains
in a variety of winter weather ranging from snow storms to bright sunshine. TW55 $28.00 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd
listing.
{*}TW56 - POLISH STEAM by John Szwajkart (appx. 120 min.) After Plandampf #3 was over, a side trip was made to Poland
to see steam operations there. This is no Polish Joke, as steam can be found hauling passengers and freight on a regular
basis, albeit only out of a single steam terminal, Wolstein. Wolstein is maintained as an operating museum. Here you can
see steam as it earns its keep hauling passenger trains, freight and doing switching and local work. Three days are spent
looking at a variety of trains all steam powered using either a 2-6-2, 2-8-2 or a 2-10-2. TW56 $31.00 ea. tape only, for
dvd check dvd listing.
{*}TW62 - AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINA RAIL by John Szwajkart (appx. 61 min.) China Rail is a mix of cultures. Operations
are left handed, British style, yet everything else appears American. It is a mix of what is unusual with what is familiar.
This introductory look at railroad operations in China is an attempt to explain why Chinese railroads and especially steam,
is attracting the attention and enthusiasm of railfans throughout the world. TW62 $25.00 ea. tape only, for dvd check dvd
listing.
TW63 - CHINESE STEAM Part 1 by Will Tajibnapis and John Szwajkart (appx. 118 min.) This beginning of a trip three
week to China in late winter of 2002 starts with a visit to a private coal hauling line powered by 2-10-2's in south western
Inner Mongolia. Fortunately the visit was just before the line converted to diesel. TW63 $31.00 ea.
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