Correct as of 12/05/26.
| Description | Collection |
|---|---|
| Along the Boston & Maine Volume 1 This series is a look at the last years of the Boston & Maine and its inclusion into the Guilford system, shot by photographers Frank and Bruce Malone and Dave Deyo Volume 1 covers the early to mid-1970s and the transition to Guilford in the early 1980s through the four seasons, including run-through pool power from the Maine Central, D&H and Conrail, between Hoosac Tunnel and Littleton, Massachusetts. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour & sound; approximately 65 minutes runtime. |  |
| Along the Boston & Maine Volume 2 This series is a look at the last years of the Boston & Maine and its inclusion into the Guilford system, shot by photographers Frank and Bruce Malone and Dave Deyo Volume 2 picks up where we left off in Volume 1 and covers the Boston and Maine under Guilford between April of 1983 and February of 1984, including run through pool power, between Hoosac Tunnel and Haverhill, Massachusetts. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and original sound; approximately 71 minutes runtime. | |
| Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years Volume 1 Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years is a new series covering the first few years of operations, featuring a wide variety of motive power colour schemes inherited from the former Anthracite Roads, as well as leased foreign power. The random colourful lash-ups made for an interesting and exciting time on the former northeast railroads. The first volume focuses on the former railroads that operated out of the Lehigh Valley to Pittston, Easton and Reading areas, including Delaware & Hudson trains, and the former Pennsy territory from Princeton to Horseshoe Curve in western PA, during June of 1976 to April of 1977 Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 62 minutes runtime |  |
| Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years Volume 2 Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years is a series covering the first few years of operations, featuring a wide variety of motive power colour schemes inherited from the former Anthracite Roads, as well as leased foreign power. The random colourful lash-ups made for an interesting and exciting time on the former northeast railroads The second volume in this series covers railroads in the upstate region of New York on the ex-Lehigh Valley, Penn Central and Erie Lackawanna lines, including D&H trains, operations in and around the Lehigh Valley and on the former Penn Central middle division in western PA, from April 1976 to October 1976. Footage in this volume comes from photographers Paul Cooledge, Doug Parmele and Jonathan Reck. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 61 minutes runtime | |
| Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years Volume 3 Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years is a series covering the first few years of operations, featuring a wide variety of motive power colour schemes inherited from the former Anthracite Roads, as well as leased foreign power. The random colourful lash-ups made for an interesting and exciting time on the former northeast railroads. Volume three covers Conrail’s traffic in western PA from Altoona to Cresson, in the eastern Ohio area, the traffic between Alliance, Mingo Junction and Weirton, West Virginia and finishes with scenes in Allentown. Photographed between April 1977 and October 1977. Footage in this volume comes from photographer David Latshaw and Jonathan Reck Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 61 minutes runtime | |
| Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years Volume 4 Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years is a series covering the first few years of operations, featuring a wide variety of motive power colour schemes inherited from the former Anthracite Roads, as well as leased foreign power. The random colourful lash-ups made for an interesting and exciting time on the former northeast railroads In volume 4, we view the former anthracite roads in northern Pennsylvania on the ex-Lehigh Valley and the New York southern tier Penn Central and Erie Lackawanna lines, including D&H trains, from March 1976 to December 1977. Footage in this volume comes from photographer Dave Deyo. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 68 minutes runtime | ( 12/05/26) |
| Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years Volume 5 Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years is a series covering the first few years of operations, featuring a wide variety of motive power colour schemes inherited from the former Anthracite Roads, as well as leased foreign power. The random colourful lash-ups made for an interesting and exciting time on the former northeast railroads In volume 5, we’ll view the former Penn Central Maybrook and Lehigh and Hudson River lines, the Penn Central Middle Division and northeast corridor and progress into the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, from July 1976 to late 1978. Footage in this volume comes from photographers Frank and Bruce Malone and Jonathan Reck. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 64 minutes runtime | ( 12/05/26) |
| Northeast Rail Variety Volume 1 Northeast Rail Variety is a series featuring a mix of railroads from the areas in the northeast from a variety of eras. Volume one features a wide range of railroads in Maine and Massachusetts shot in the early 1980s on original Super 8mm sound film from photographers Ralph Curcio via the Dan McFadden collection and David Deyo Railroads featured in this program are Maine Central, Grand Trunk, Portland Terminal, Belfast & Moosehead Lake, Bangor and Aroostook, Canadian Pacific, Central of Vermont, Mass Central, and we close with a look at the Grafton & Upton Narrated with commentary Colour and original sound Approximately 74 minutes runtime | ( 12/05/26) |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 1 by Paul Cooledge, March 1979 to October 1981 Susquehanna & Penn Divisions and on the Conrail Southern Tier With the fall of the major anthracite roads and their inclusion into Conrail in 1976, railfans began to focus their attention on capturing the operations of the Delaware & Hudson, as many believed the D&H’s future as an independent company was becoming increasingly uncertain. The events that followed the acquisition of the D&H by Guilford Transportation just a few years after these films were taken, would result in the demise of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad as many once knew it. In Volume 1, we join Paul Cooledge and friends as they railfan the Delaware & Hudson on the Susquehanna and Penn Divisions and the Conrail Southern Tier Line from March 1979 to October 1981. Locations include Binghamton to Mechanicville Yard on the Susquehanna division, Nineveh to Ararat, including footage of detours over Jefferson Junction at Lanesboro on the Penn Division and Binghamton to as far west as Portage, NY on the Conrail Southern Tier Line. Highlights include interchange with the Boston & Maine at Mechanicville Yard, NY; Starucca Viaduct; Starucca Creek Trestle; Harpursville trestle and more. Commentary and original sound film by Paul Cooledge, colour approximately 72 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 2 In Volume 2 of Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson, we’ll railfan the Champlain, Saratoga and Susquehanna divisions as well as trains on the Lehigh line, former DL&W line to Binghamton, and the D&H turns from 1974 to 1981 through the films of Ken Bealer and Robert F Wilt. Baldwin Sharks, Alco PA’s, as well as EMD and other Alco power are featured throughout this program. Locations include Willsboro to Whitehall on the Champlain Division, Rutland to Albany on the Saratoga Division, Mechanicville to Binghamton on the Susquehanna Division; the D&H Turn from Binghamton to Sayre, the Lehigh line from Bergers to Bethlehem and on the former DL&W line from Taylor yard to Nicholson, PA. Highlights include operations at Oneonta Yard, Sharks on the D&H Turn and the other locations, PA-powered passenger trains, D&H/LV run-through trains, Harpursville Trestle and more. Narration and subtitles, colour, approximately 71 minutes runtime. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 3 Volume 3 of Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson covers the Alphabet route trains on the former DLW line from Binghamton, NY to Taylor, PA, the former Lehigh Valley and CNJ lines from Dupont to Allentown and ex-Reading lines from Allentown to Philadelphia. After the fall of the Anthracite roads in 1976, the D&H continued the “Alphabet Route” trains via trackage rights on what had then become Conrail-owned trackage. The D&H accessed Allentown from a connection at Dupont, PA, onto former Lehigh Valley and CNJ lines, which was named by Conrail as the “Lehigh Line”. Ex-Reading lines from Allentown to Philadelphia allowed the D&H to reach the city of brotherly love and connection with the B&O. This routing would remain in place until May of 1999, when Conrail was split between Norfolk Southern and CSX. In keeping with the D&H on the former Reading trackage theme, we’ll finish with Anthracite Railroad’s RS-3 #4118, the former D&H engine, on the Reading Perkiomen Branch. Narration and subtitles, original Super 8mm sound, colour, approximately 73 minutes runtime. | ( 12/05/26) |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 4 In Volume 4 of Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson, we’ll railfan the railroad from Montreal, Canada, to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. We begin with D&H steam in the late 1940’s at Lake George and extend into the diesel era of the late 1970’s. We’ll railfan the Champlain Division, Saratoga Division, Susquehanna Division and the Penn Division along the way. Highlights include camelback steam, Alco PA-powered passenger trains, D&H/LV run-through trains, and a cab ride on the Penn Division from Lanesboro to Ararat. Footage sourced from a wide range of noted contributors. Narration with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and sound; approximately 63 minutes runtime. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 5 In volume 5 of Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson, we’ll railfan the D&H from the early 1970s into the mid-1980s. We begin at Green Village, Maine, under Guilford and progress south through the scenic New England states, into the Keystone State. Along the way, we’ll catch a variety of power and connecting railroads which interchanged with the D&H. Highlights include the almost 5-mile long Hoosac tunnel, scenes on the Greenwich & Johnsonville, pot yard trains, a wreck at Spring Street in Moosic, and the PA fan trips during the D&H sesquicentennial from Hudson to Oneonta and Albany and return. Footage sourced from a wide range of noted contributors. Narration with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and sound, approximately 63 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 6 Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 6 begins the three-part series on the last two years of the Penn Division as it was known and the subsequent transition to the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western line from Binghamton to the Lackawanna Valley. Volume 6 covers operations from West Carbondale up over Ararat Mountain to Lanesboro and beyond from April 1979 to March 1980 from the films of David Deyo. Highlights include the Bethlehem Steel and Sea-Land “Landbridge” trains, as well as mixed freights from Oneonta to Hudson, NE-84 and NE-87 and combined trains. Featured landmarks include the Starucca Viaduct and Starucca Hi Iron Trestle. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour approximately 76 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 7 Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 7 is the second part of the three-part series on the last two years of the Penn Division and the subsequent transition to the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western line from Binghamton to the Lackawanna Valley. Volume 7 covers operations from Simpson up over Ararat Mountain to Lanesboro and to the connection with the main at Ninevah from March to June 1980 from the films of David Deyo. At this time, deferred maintenance was beginning to catch up with the D&H. Slow orders and derailments were becoming more frequent due to poor trackage, and passing sidings were being consolidated, which really began to impact operations. The D&H’s money-making Bethlehem Steel and Sea-Land “Landbridge” trains would eventually go to Conrail, severely cutting revenue for the D&H. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour approximately 74 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 8 Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 8 is the third part of the three-part series on the Penn Division. Volume 8 covers the last months of the Penn Division and the transition to the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western line from the films of David Deyo. We’ll view operations on the Penn Division from Olyphant to Lanesboro between June and August 1980, and then operations on the ex-DLW line from Binghamton to the Scranton area from October 1980 to June of 1985, including a cab ride with Bernie Gill from Conklin Yard to Hudson Yard. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour approximately 70 minutes run time. | () |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 9 Volume 9 of Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson covers the Susquehanna Division between May 1979 and August 1985 from the films of David Deyo. A variety of landmarks are featured between Binghamton and Oneonta, including Belden Tunnel, Harpursville Trestle, SW Cabin at Nineveh and more. Highlights include interesting symbol freight, as well as operations at Oneonta and Binghamton Yards. We close with detour moves over the remaining section of the Penn Division due to a derailment at Sanitaria Springs in March of 1985 and the rebuilding of Belden Tunnel to accommodate High and Wide Loads between August and December 1985. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour; approximately 75 minutes runtime. | |
| Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 10 In Volume 10 of Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson, we’ll railfan the D&H from the early 1970s into the early 1980s. We begin at Willsboro, NY, and progress south into the Keystone State. Along the way, we’ll catch a wide variety of power and scenes along the D&H. Highlights include ore trains on the North Creek Branch, scenes on the Greenwich & Johnsonville, Alco PA-powered passenger and freight trains, the Penn Division in the early 1970s, including Lehigh Valley run-through trains, excursions, and more. Footage from noted cinematographers Walter Appel and Dave Deyo. Narration with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and sound; approximately 59 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 1 Tag along with Mike, Keith, Danny and their dad Joe as they railfan the fallen flags of eastern PA and beyond. Volume 1 is the first in a series of railfan volumes from the Bednar film collection. This volume covers the years 1965 – 1968. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 2 Join the Bednars in Volume 2 as they railfan the northeastern fallen flags and other facilities between the years 1969 and 1971. Locations include eastern NJ to southern NY, western PA for PC action, southeastern PA on the Reading and Vermont to visit Steamtown. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 3 The third volume from the Bednar collection was taken from Easton, PA, to the Southern Tier of NY, Enola, Reading and Rutherford in the late 60s/early 70s. Footage includes many scenes of fallen flag railroading action, including Lehigh Valley, Reading, Central RR of NJ, D&H, and Penn Central. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 4 In Volume 4 of Railfanning With the Bednars, we railfan from April 1973 to early June 1975 and the arrival of the GE U23Bs on the Valley. The U23Bs would be the last new locomotives the Valley would receive. Locations include Bethlehem, Allentown, Catasauqua, Hokendauqua and other points west to Sayre. West of Sayre, we visit Cayuta and Lockwood, NY. The Bednar gang also visits western PA to capture the Penn Central at Horse Shoe Curve and other well-known railfanning locations on the PC. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 5 In Volume 5 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we’ll look at the last 10 months of operation before Conrail. Deteriorated facilities, uncertainty and turmoil made for some of the darkest days on the railroads. Derailments and other issues were commonplace. But even with these challenges, operations continued as usual. But before we look at the last 10 months, we’ll briefly look back at found footage taken between 1973 and 1975, including the wreck at Parryville. Locations from Allentown to Sayre are featured, as well as wrecks in Allentown and Lockport. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 6 In volume 6 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we’ll join the Bednar gang as they railfan the beginning of Conrail from April to November of 1976. The startup of Conrail came with many changes and challenges, but despite this, the crews somehow managed to keep the freight moving. The change of operations made for an interesting and exciting time on the former northeast railroads. A wide mix of power from all the railroads, as well as loaned foreign power, began appearing on run-through freights in the Allentown and Bethlehem areas. Although they focused primarily on the operations in the Lehigh Valley area, the gang made trips to the Harrisburg and Horse Shoe Curve areas to catch the variety of power and non-stop trains in those locations. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 7 Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 7 continues our tour with the Bednar boys during the Conrail transition in 1978 and 1979. In the late 70’s, Conrail began the major transition to unify and make operations more efficient. They began consolidating and rebuilding the ailing former Anthracite railroad infrastructure and equipment. Although many iconic railroad landmarks would soon disappear, these changes created new and interesting operations in the Northeast. While much of the footage is concentrated in the Lehigh Valley area, the boys made their usual pilgrimage to capture the action in western PA as well. Sit back and let Big Mike tell the story of the late 70’s northeast Conrail transition as only he can with his usual colloquial humour. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour Sound film; approximately 76 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 8 Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 8 continues our tour of the Conrail transition with the Bednar boys during 1979 and 1980. By the late 70’s and early 80’s, Conrail’s “Black and Blue Years” were slowly coming to an end. The transition from the varied paint schemes of absorbed roads was gradually being unified into the “Big Blue” scheme. During this time, Conrail began the process of moving most freight traffic from the Amtrak northeast corridor and the Philadelphia/Harrisburg line to the former Lehigh Valley-Reading lines between Newark and Harrisburg. This resulted in a dramatic increase in daily traffic over these lines. With the surge in activity, mainline infrastructure began to improve, but improvements to many branch and secondary lines were still a few years away, with some never seeing any renovation. In this volume, we’ll view the stark contrast between the increased mainline action in the Lehigh Valley and western PA areas and the branch and secondary lines. The Delaware & Hudson also experienced a temporary influx of traffic to Philadelphia and Oak Island during this period, with container business, though it would be short-lived. We’ll tag along on one of the D&H freights to qualify from Penobscot to Oak Street in Pittston. As usual, Big Mike narrates and adds his familiar colloquial commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and original sound; approx 72 minutes. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 9 Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 9 follows the Conrail transition into the years 1980 through 1982 with the Bednar boys. This volume extends the time period following Volume 8 with increased mainline action in the Lehigh Valley and western PA areas and the branch and secondary lines through 1981. But by 1982, the country was in the midst of a recession. Freight movement and rail traffic were down across the nation. While the downturn in traffic included all railroads, it especially affected the Delaware & Hudson. Their short-lived container business traffic to Philadelphia and Oak Island was disappearing, and the famous named trains would be combined into single trains to save money. Equipment maintenance was deferred, and overall morale was low. The end was near for the D&H, and Guilford control was not far off. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and original sound; approx 72 minutes. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 10 Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 10 follows Dave Augsburger, Big Mike and his pop, Joe Bednar, as they head west to pursue other railroad employment opportunities for Mike With the recession of 1982, Conrail began consolidating divisions and workforce. There were few choices for railroad employees. Either relocate to where needed or face the possibility of being laid off. For some, the latter was the only choice offered. The other option was to seek employment elsewhere. Many did just that. They ventured west to find jobs with other railroads. In volume 10, we follow Big Mike and crew out to Colorado and points in between to look for work on the western railroads. As usual, Big Mike provides his well-known brand of humour. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and original sound; approx 74 minutes. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 11 With the trip west to find work on other railroads being a bust, Big Mike and the gang return to the land of Blues. Still in the grips of the recession, Conrail was looking for other alternatives to increase revenue and cut costs. Conrail began heavily promoting intermodal operations to increase revenue and further consolidated operations to cut costs. While Conrail was never really conducive to the D&H’s operations, they tightened their stranglehold on the D&H by siphoning off as much traffic as possible. The combined D&H named trains became shorter and shorter. With very little traffic left and on the edge of bankruptcy, Guilford purchased the D&H in 1983. They planned to expand regional operations from New England to the Philadelphia and New York markets. Guilford’s control did little to improve the D&H operations, and the expanded markets would never materialise. The D&H would eventually end up in bankruptcy. In volume 11, we return to the Lehigh Valley with Mike and the gang to railfan the changing operations of Conrail, the Guilford takeover of the D&H and a few excursions out of Jim Thorpe with former CNJ 1554. As usual, Big Mike provides the commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour and original sound, approximately 72 minutes run time. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 12 In volume 12 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we view lost footage captured by the Bednar boys of early Conrail and Delaware and Hudson from December 1976 to March 1978. The first few years of Conrail were a challenging time, and everyone was still finding their place in the organisation. The change of operations, along with the beginning of rebuilding equipment and infrastructure and the dedicated hard work of employees, kept the freight moving. During this period, you could still see a wide mix of power from all the railroads, as well as foreign power on run-through freights. Although regarded as the competition, the D&H was still running enough trains that their movements remained largely unhindered on Conrail infrastructure, but that would change in the next few years as Conrail’s focus on operations changed. While filmed mostly in the Lehigh Valley area, the gang made their usual trip to capture the action in western PA as well. Let’s go back and let Big Mike tell the story of the lost Conrail and D&H footage as only he can with his usual colloquial humour. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar. Colour; approximately 63 minutes runtime. | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 13 In volume 13 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we view the last of the lost footage from early Conrail and Delaware and Hudson from April through October 1978. During this time, Conrail began changing the operating game plan. While the D&H was still running a respectable amount of traffic, that would soon begin to change as Conrail shifted its focus of operations. Conrail began tightening the reins to maximise efficiency and minimise loss. This made operations on Conrail infrastructure a challenge, especially to third parties like the D&H or anyone else using Conrail trackage. The circus train becomes the perfect symbol for what was happening at the time. The operational changes had everyone jumping through hoops. Even Conrail became part of the act regularly. Big Mike provides his usual colloquial humour commentary for the last of the lost Conrail and D&H footage and the end of the film collection. But don’t worry, there’s still more to come from the gang’s tape collection. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 49 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 14 In volume 14 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we pick up where we left off in Volume 11, with the beginning of the videotape portion of the Bednar collection from mid-1986 to March of 1987. During this time, Conrail began removing the Lehigh Valley mainline from Hokendauqua to the Lehigh Gap area, as it needed major rehabilitation and the rail would be welded and used elsewhere. It was also considered duplicate trackage and an expense that Conrail would rather rid itself of. While traffic was increasing for Conrail, the D&H was now firmly under the grip of Guilford, and traffic was down considerably. The combined D&H trains were running once a day to every other day, and bankruptcy was just around the corner. As usual, Big Mike provides the commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and original sound; approximately 71 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 15 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 15, we continue the Conrail and D&H action and chase the special Reading & Northern 2102 mainline excursions from the Bednar videotape collection between mid-1987 and April of 1989. During this time, Conrail’s traffic in and around Allentown was very heavy, with many trains in and out of Allentown yard. Railfans could catch action all day at select hotspots around the city. CP Burn was one such hotspot where there was a continuous parade of trains. But the increased train frequency was fast becoming a safety issue for drivers commuting into and out of the city. Eventually, something would have to be done to alleviate the congestion. The D&H wasn’t so fortunate. Under Guilford, it was struggling with dwindling traffic due to a shrinking customer base and poor management, which equated to low revenue, poor equipment, and low morale. In 1988, after intense labour strikes, Guilford declared the D&H bankrupt and abandoned operations. The D&H was now in limbo until another operator could be found. Danny and family also made a brief visit to western PA in March of 1989 to catch the action on Horseshoe Curve and the surrounding areas. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and live sound; approximately 68 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 16 In volume 16 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we go back in time a bit to find footage again from the Bednar collection from December 1986 to June 1987. We’ll see more of Conrail removing the Lehigh Valley mainline, as well as a birthday trip for Jimmy Hulsman on the Blue Mountain & Reading’s Budd cars, and the rapidly increasing traffic for Conrail. Unfortunately, as seen in previous volumes, the D&H was in a spiralling downturn of business due to the poor management of Guilford and dwindling traffic. The end was near for the Delaware and Hudson. During this time, Pop employed the use of two cameras and would switch cameras when one needed repair, creating a staggered numbering of tapes and an out-of-sequence timeline. As we review the collection, there may be more tapes with scenes out of sequence in future volumes. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 60 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 17 In volume 17 of Railfanning with the Bednars, we continue with found footage from the Bednar collection from May to August 1987 and from June to September 1988. We pick up where we left off in volume 16 at Steel, then view the Conrail and D&H action around Allentown and the surrounding areas, including the Conrail OCS train and more. We’ll witness the day the D&H went into bankruptcy under Guilford, and the subsequent startup of operations under the newly designated operator, the New York, Susquehanna and Western. As usual, Big Mike provides the commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 61 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 18 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 18, we continue the Conrail and D&H action from the Bednar videotape collection between October 1988 and April 1989. At this time, Conrail’s traffic in and around Allentown was entering its peak, with trains in and out of Allentown virtually back-to-back. CP Burn was a continuous parade of trains. The train volume was fast becoming an issue for drivers. Vehicle traffic would be backed up on a daily basis all the way to South Mountain due to the sheer amount of rail activity. Funding was sought and granted to build a bypass via grade separation, but it would be another 2 to 3 years before construction would begin. After the bankruptcy of the D&H on June 20th, 1988, the Susquehanna became the designated operator on June 23rd. We were now 4 months into the new operations, and the Suzy Q was doing their best to keep trains rolling. They were securing power from anywhere they could to keep the freight moving, including leases and purchases. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 60 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 19 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 19, we continue the Susquehanna – D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar videotape collection between March and June of 1989. The Susquehanna was now just about a year into the takeover of the Delaware and Hudson. While trains were still operating with foreign power, there were more unified, newer Susquehanna-painted power sets being used on the trains. Conrail’s traffic on the Reading and Lehigh lines into and out of Allentown was really ramping up. The volume of trains and their speed were increasing. Chasing trains to capture them in several locations along their route was becoming more difficult to accomplish. Hotspots like CP Burn and Allentown yard were a continuous parade of trains. Vehicle traffic flow was now becoming a major issue, but drivers would still have to wait a few more years before construction of the bypass. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and original sound; approximately 65 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 20 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 20, we continue the D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar collection between July and October of 1989. While the Susquehanna had acquired newer power sets painted in Susquehanna livery, they were still operating with a collage of foreign power, borrowed from wherever they could to help keep the trains moving. Conrail’s volume of traffic into and out of the Lehigh Valley was steadily growing. With upgrades to infrastructure, train speeds were increasing. Outside of Allentown, it became more difficult to chase trains at the usual locations, as they would be long gone before they could be captured. The typical hotspots continued to host a constant parade of trains, with vehicle traffic being backed up for miles. We’ll also railfan a Blue Mountain and Reading excursion on the Perkiomen branch down to East Greenville and return in October 1989 with the 425. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approx. 73 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 21 Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 21, covers D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar collection between November 1989 and June 1990. We’ll view the Reading line at Alburtis, scenes along the Lehigh line, as well as the usual hot spots in the Allentown area at Burn and Allentown Yard. Other points of interest include the Jeddo job in Hazleton, track removal of Biery yard and the Ironton at Hokendauqua, a military special with tanks headed to Iraq for the Gulf war and a wide variety of foreign power. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour/sound approximately 76 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 22 Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 22, covers D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar collection between June and December of 1990. We’ll view scenes along the Lehigh line, as well as the usual hot spots in the Allentown area at Burn and Allentown Yard. Other points of interest include shoving gondolas up for scrap from track removal of Biery yard, and the Ironton at Hokendauqua, a wide variety of foreign power and new operator Canadian Pacific painted power, making its first appearances on the D&H trains at this time Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour/sound approximately 73 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 23 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 23, we cover the D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar collection between January and August 1991. We’ll view scenes along the Lehigh line, the Reading line, as well as the usual hot spots in the Allentown area. Other points of interest include pulling up the rails behind the Bednars’ home, a wide variety of foreign power and the official takeover of the D&H by Canadian Pacific in January of 1991. As usual, Big Mike provides the commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approximately 74 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 24 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 24, we cover the D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar collection from June to September 1988 and from November 1991 to September 1992. We’ll begin with scenes from found footage along the former Lehigh Valley Snakepath, during a road trip beginning at Falls and ending in Sayre, chasing the Washington local from Easton along the Washington branch, the East Penn Branch and the long-awaited grade separation project of the railroad and Basin Street at CP Burn in Allentown to help alleviate traffic congestion. Other points of interest include scenes on the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern railroad. As usual, Big Mike provides the commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and sound; approx. 67 minutes runtime | |
| Railfanning With the Bednars Volume 25 In Railfanning with the Bednars, volume 25, we cover the D&H and Conrail action from the Bednar collection from September 1992 to October 1993. We continue with the grade separation project of the railroad and Basin Street at CP Burn in Allentown, scenes at Allentown yard, action on the Lehigh Line, and a cab ride on the Reading and Northern’s culm train from Swatara to Drehersville, with scenes at Cressona and Port Clinton. Big Mike provides his usual colloquial commentary. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar Colour and original sound; approx. 62 minutes runtime | |
| Short Lines & Branch Lines Volume 1 Short lines and branch lines play a vital role in the movement of merchandise. Their primary purpose is to link industries requiring rail transport and provide an important connection to transport goods to and from smaller communities. These lines interchange with mainline railroads to export products destined for larger markets and import products and materials necessary for everyday life in these communities. In Volume 1, we’ll cover lines in the Lehigh River Valley. We’ll look at the Northampton & Bath, Ironton, Chestnut Ridge and Lehigh Valley branch lines. Narrated by Mike Bednar. Mostly colour; approximately 59 minutes run time. | |
| Short Lines & Branch Lines Volume 2 In Volume 2 of Short Lines & Branch Lines, we’ll cover lines in the Hudson River Valley. These lines interchanged with main lines to serve the smaller communities and rural areas along the routes. We’ll tour Penn Central’s Catskill Mountain branch, Wallkill Valley branch and Upper Harlem line, followed by the New York Susquehanna and Western and the Erie-Lackawanna Northern branch taken through the lenses of Frank and Bruce Malone from the spring of 1975 into the first month of Conrail. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar, background music only, colour; approx 79 minutes runtime. | |
| Short Lines & Branch Lines Volume 3 In Short Lines & Branch Lines Volume 3, we’ll revisit the industrial lines in the Lehigh River Valley and then work our way west to the coal regions in the Wyoming Valley. We’ll view the Northampton & Bath and Ironton in the early ’70s, the LNE Bethlehem branch, the Lehigh Valley’s Barber Quarry and West End branches, the lines to Jeddo and the West Pittston Branch in early Conrail and close with the Wanamie Mine Railroad in Newport Township near Nanticoke. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar, colour; approximately 64 minutes run time. | |
| Short Lines & Branch Lines Volume 4 In Volume 4 of Short Lines & Branch Lines, we’ll cover the Raritan River Railroad, the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton or WAG railroad and the Niagara Junction Railway. We’ll begin with operations on the Raritan River railroad in northeast New Jersey during the last year or so of operation before being absorbed into Conrail in April 1980. We’ll then head out to northwestern Pennsylvania to view operations on the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton with GE centre-cab locomotives and the transition to EMD F7 motive power. And finally, we’ll head to Niagara Falls, New York, to look at the operations of the all-electric Niagara Junction Railway. Narrated with commentary by Mike Bednar, colour and sound; approximately 77 minutes runtime. | |
Collection Wanted
For Sale/Exchange