Combined here on one action-packed Combo DVD are two exciting programs bringing the thrill of railroading in Wyoming's coal country: King Coal - Powder River Rails & Mines (filmed in 2001) and Powder River Basin Coal Trains (filmed in 1992).

King Coal - Powder River Rails & Mines (90 Minutes)

In Wyoming's Powder River Basin, train after train of loaded and empty hoppers make their way across the desolate, rolling hills of the high plains. This is coal country. With production levels surpassing all other US mining areas, the numbers are staggering and that means rail traffic is at an all time high. To move these mountains of coal, the railroads rely on modern, high horsepower locomotives such as GE C44-9s and EMD SD90s to lug their heavy loads over the grades. Single track has been doubled and in some areas tripled to handle the massive volume. Rolling meets between Union Pacific and BNSF trains are common. Often several movements are visible at the same time, many with locomotives on both ends of the consist. There's even a helper district on the north end of the line. And all of these trains transport a single commodity-coal!

Have you ever wanted to visit a strip mine to see how coal is dug, hauled from the pits, and flood-loaded into moving trains? At Black Thunder mine, close-up views show just how it's done. Massive mining machines and high-density railroading are required to move this vital commodity. It's all here: intense, big-time railroading action. Experience the complete story of King Coal - Powder River Rails & Mines!

In Color with Stereo Sound and Narration

DVD Special Features:

• Two stereo soundtracks, one with the natural train sounds, the other with narration added. The viewer can switch the narration on or off at any time.

• Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.

Powder River Basin Coal Trains (90 Minutes)

Wyoming's Powder River Basin may possibly be the last great American rail frontier. In the 1970s, the Burlington Northern and the Chicago & North Western Railroads laid trackage into the new mines that were being opened to harvest the low sulfur coal that lies buried under forty percent of the state. Since then, growing numbers of coal trains have been rolling out of the Powder River Basin, headed for distribution around the world.

Pentrex captures the excitement as these heavy trains move out of the Basin. Helper engines are required to get the loaded trains over White Tail Hill and the north end of the Basin. We'll climb aboard a set of helpers as they give a 14,000-ton train a shove up the mountain.

You'll see new General Electric C40-8 locomotives, painted in a darker yellow paint scheme, as they work the coal trains of the Chicago & North Western. Burlington Northern coal trains are headed by a great mix of newer and older generation locomotives.

Heavy ballasted mainline now runs where no railroad existed twenty years earlier. The 136-pound rail is laid on concrete ties to support the weight of train after heavy train. Wyoming's wide open spaces provide a dramatic and ever-changing backdrop as we witness the non-stop action of Powder River Basin Coal Trains.

In Color with Natural Sound and Narration

DVD Special Feature:

• Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.

3 Hours
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case