DVD Review: Edaville Railroad and the Maine Two Footers

[James Patten]

At the Whitefield Lion's Club train & dollhouse show in Augusta this past weekend, I picked up a DVD I had not seen before - because it just came out this year.

"The Edaville Railroad and the Maine Two Footers" is put out by Blackstone River Productions.  It's a 2 DVD set.  DVD 1 covers MNGRR, the WW&F, and Boothbay Railway Village.  DVD 2 covers Edaville.

So far I've only watched the first DVD.  All 3 were visited last year.  At MNG, they filmed from inside #4 and on the rear platform of the train as it backs up to the end of the line.  At the WW&F they filmed from #10 on the backing move and rear and side on the return trip.  "Bullet Bob" and Josh were engineer/fireman.  At Boothbay they film from the sides as the train goes around the loop.

The filmography is not outstanding and their spelling is atrocious.  It looks like they used a regular hand-held video camera and no tripod.  Then again, maybe I'm used to seeing Steve H.'s excellent filming and have been spoiled by his work.  I'm rather disappointed that they left out the SR&RL Museum.

However, for someone "from away" who doesn't get to Maine that often and wants something to remember it by, or for someone who likes to collect train videos, this would be an acceptable purchase.  I think it'll end up being something that the Museum store will carry.

[Bill Piche]

The gentleman who shot "The Edaville Railroad and the Maine Two Footers" did his filming of the MNG on a day that I was firing (it was my first solo day!). Rich Currie (some of you non-MNG may or may not know him) was the engineer that day, his first since he was promoted to engineer. The film has some nice stuff from a cab ride perspective, but there is a little too much of "looking out the door of the caboose" action at times.

To verify what James suspected, the man was shooting with a rather-nice hand-held, but a hand-held none-the-less. Still pretty good quality, though.

I personally have the strange honor of being in two places at once, as I am on the rear platform of the caboose during the Westward move while being shown firing in the next cut to the engine.

I'd also like to say now that I am currently preparing my speech for when I accept my Razzie for my speaking parts in this film. Why is it that whenever someone ends up with my voice on record, nothing good ever comes out?

I very much liked the WW&F shots (I still need to get up there when #10 is running, so far I'm 0-for-1), and the Boothbay shots were ok. Personally, I could take or leave the second DVD in the box, it's pretty much the cab ride from "Edavaille: Massachusetts Maine Attraction" with the Diesel replacing #4.

[James Patten]

Well, Bill I can finally put a face to the name.

[Mike Fox]

I always think any free publicity is great publicity. I bought this when it first came out. To watch the Edaville DVD, I put the dvd player in scan fast forward, to get the train up to speed. And that was my first trip ever around the loop. There are notations on there where the new loop takes off and where there is no more track etc.
   As for the other DVD, I felt things were shot to fast. Most were shot from the inside looking out. I like to see what it looks like going by sometimes. But still always nice to have the free publicity.

[Bill Piche]

Well, Bill I can finally put a face to the name.

Allow me to post the mug below (a pic of me during the infamous "Mugglefest" operation in the summer of 07)...

Is it just me, or is does it look a bit cramped in #4?

[Keith Taylor]

I've often wondered if the Monson engines were designed for midgets? Or, did Vulcan just want all of the crew men to whack their heads every day?
Keith

[Vincent "Lightning" LeRow]

Remember, 100 years ago men and woman were on average a whole foot shorter than we are today.  with all of our wonderful medicinal technology we have added a foot to our hight. 

[James Patten]

Bill, I think you're right about the Edaville DVD.  Personally I found the trip around the loop hard to watch, as I can get motion sick easy.  I finally skipped it altogether and just watched the filming from Edaville USA.