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Rating: 
Summary: Where's Chicago?
Review: A useful history of the Western Pacific's piece of the California Zephyr. But that train ran a thousand miles between Chicago and Denver that we never get to see. In addition, there is no Colorado footage west of Denver. Essentially, a misleading title for a fun train documentary.
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Summary: Silver Lady Live On
Review: I bought this program at Christmas and I have watched it three times now. If you have even a passing interest in the old way of traveling, this program is definately for you. The extra features on the DVD and included compact disc are worth the price alone.
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Summary: Silver Lady Live On
Review: I bought this program at Christmas and I have watched it three times now. If you have even a passing interest in the old way of traveling, this program is definately for you. The extra features on the DVD and included compact disc are worth the price alone.
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Summary: the only way to go
Review: i have seen this as a special on TV. i rode on the california zephyr when i was 10 years old. it is something i have never forgotten, something i think about constantly, and something i yearn to experience again. it is sad that i shall never be able to. this special brought tears to my eyes and a huge empty feeling in my stomach that this beautiful way to travel is gone forever. it was an incredible experience for me, and this special brings it all back. a wonderful look at the way things were.
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Summary: WP Lives!
Review: I purchased the DVD edition with the audio cd included.This video presents a nice look at the past and the only way to travel in my book.Some very good footage of the CZ considering the availability of affordable video eqiuipment at the time.It tends to be slanted towards the WP side of the Zephyr but as the video explains there isn't much in the way of video footage of the CZ in action.Definitly one to have in the collection.The audio cd is a VERY nice little bonus for buying the DVD.
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Summary: Commentary from Niles Canyon/Zephyr Route Resident
Review: The California Zephyr video was exceptionally well-done. I live right next to the Western Pacific Railroad's former Niles Canyon route in Fremont, California, so I have a special interest in the California Zephyr . The color movies of the train were very fantastic to watch and the commentaries of former railroad employees greatly added credibility to this fascinating story. I was especially thrilled to watch the train stop at Fremont station (now the Union Pacific's freight yard), passing by Niles control tower (sadly destroyed by a fire set by an arson several years ago), and passing through Niles Canyon where I live. Another feature of the video I liked was, the names of most of the people that were interviewed in the video were listed on the video's box. Only one person's name was not listed, the wife of one of the people who appeared in the video. I also enjoyed the audio compact disc included with the video. I could hear actual sounds of the train pulled by a diesel locomotive, actual train arrival announcements at both Oakland and Fremont stations and voice of engineer chatting with fireman in locomotive's cab. How ironic that some of the video footage was filmed in 1966, the year I was born. I have special fondness for the F7 which pulled this passenger train. During the late 1970s and early 80s, I saw several of these F unit diesels, pulling freight cars, passing by my house in Niles Canyon several times. It brings back many sentimental memories.
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Summary: Historically Significant
Review: This program is an excellent documentary about the history of the California Zephyr during its 20 years of operation between Chicago and the West Coast. Unlike most railroad documentaries presented on PBS and the History Channel, this one has more depth as it skips much of the dry history and instead focuses on recollections from people who worked on the train. Coverage of the train is slanted towards the west coast with tons of footage on the Western Pacific Railroad. Highlights that stand out were scenes of the train on 3rd Street in Oakland, through Altamont Pass, and through Feather River Canyon. The DVD also includes a ride in the locomotive cab along with extra scenes of the train trackside. The producer did an excellent job and I only wonder where he dug up some of the people interviewed in the program. Most notable was Arthur Lloyd who was a railroad public relations person back in the 1950's and 60's. Lloyd gave some spectacular commentary that broke up what could have been a dry program. I think this program is excellent for anyone who has a passing interest in passenger trains or transportation history. Although this program focuses on the California Zephyr, the general theme is about the death of the Streamliner in America. I regret that I never rode the California Zephyr as we lost a great gem.
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Summary: Outstanding Zephyr Footage
Review: What I loved best about this DVD was the 1969 cab ride on the Western Pacific. This program has lots of great views of the Zephyr with footage I have never seen before. There is a great shot of the last train passing by a graveyard! Very fitting and I commend Virgil Staff for taking the time to shoot the film. There is also a neat little piece with Virgil talking about why he shot the film. The added compact disc which comes with the program is a very nice bonus and hearing the locomotive cab interior recordings are worth their weight in gold! I only wish all railfan videos were this nice.
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