Some of the footage in that program was shot of C.O.& E. 2-8-0 #17 in 1985 and 1986 by George Redmond. Only a small portion of his footage was used for that program. This release in The Heritage Series presents the entire footage Mr. Redmond shot of the last steam powered railroad in the U.S.
Shot in March and October, 1985, and February, 1986, this video shows the daily workings of a steam powered shortline.
The featured locomotive is #17, a 1940 product of the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario. The locomotive was returned to service in 1979 and operated into September, 1986. We see her over three different days as she goes about her work on the 8 ½ mile line based in Marion, Illinois.
This is steam in daily freight service. No excursion. No passenger cars. Just a coal fired 2-8-0 hauling typical freight cars from the mid 1980s.
In addition to trackside scenes, we also ride the cab of the locomotive as she goes about her work.
Cold weather accentuates the exhaust from the locomotive, and we even see the railroad at work on a cold and rainy day in October.
This program is a unique last look at the end of daily steam operations in America.
1 hour and 24 minutes
DVD-R only