The story of the railroad in Illinois and the train's role in moving product out of the states to the rest of America.
Social & External
What would your family reminiscences about dad sound like if he had been an early supporter of Hitler’s, a leader of the notorious SA and the Third Reich’s minister in charge of Slovakia, including its Final Solution? Executed as a war criminal in 1947, Hanns Ludin left behind a grieving widow and six young children, the youngest of whom became a filmmaker. It's a fascinating, maddening, sometimes even humorous look at what the director calls "a typical German story." (Film Forum)
The Unreserved is an inquiry into the lives of passengers who use the Unreserved Compartment, the cheapest way to travel across India on the Indian Railways system. The film portrays the passengers’ aspirations, efforts and opinions through conversations and personal stories.
Pioneering 3D promotional film about the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Discover the "character" of one of Missouri's oldest tie and lumber operations through this archival black-and-white film that documents one of the last railroad tie drives on the Black River made by the T.J. Moss Tie Company of St. Louis in the 1920s. Thanks to release of the film by the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation, the rare footage in "Stamp of Character" takes us through the entire process of making railroad ties, at a time when forests covered almost two-thirds of the state. The original silent motion picture was shown in movie theaters as an advertisement by the T.J. Moss Tie Company. Using digitally edited narration and realistic sound effects, this video makes the past live again.
On July 31st, 2011 The Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts chartered a special excursion on the Conway Scenic Railroad. The trip covered the CSRR Crawford Notch line (EX Maine Central "Mountain Division") from North Conway to the New Hampshire Central interchange in Hazens (Whitefield, NH). This rare mileage excursion featured track not used by the regular passenger trains by the CSRR! The star of the day was CSRR's steam locomotive #7470.
We travel along with the crew of the Grafton & Upton railroad for a day, and capture all the action from the cab and the ground! We travel from the headquarters and yard in North Grafton to the yard in West Upton a distance of 7 miles. Our train is powered by GP-9R #1750 EX Bay Colony EXX Pennsylvania Railroad. We see some of the scenic points along the line from the cab as we travel through the central New England landscape! As the crew in the locomotive captures all the action, a crew trackside captures all the action on it's way to West Upton Yard!
In volume two, we take a look at the Grafton & Upton railroad's Caboose Extra ("Santa Train") on December 18th, 2010. Then during the Spring of 2011 we spend a day with G&U's newest locomotive, GP9R #1751 for a trip from North Grafton yard to West Upton yard and return. We see the crew of 3 put the day's train together in North Grafton and then chase it to West Upton yard. In West Upton we capture the crew switching out the Trans-loading facility and making the train up for the return trip to North Grafton. We then chase the train back to North Grafton yard! Non stop action on the G&U with #1751 & GP9R #1750!
In this 2 DVD set, we take a unique perspective look at the Grafton & Upton Railroad! We mounted a Pro 180° HDV camera to the hood of G&U GP9-R #1751 and travel from Hopedale yard to the yard in North Grafton. We travel over the recently reopened section from the newly rebuilt Hopedale yard through the scenic woodlands to West Upton yard. From the West Upton yard we travel through more scenic woodlands and scenic fields as we traverse the grades to Grafton Center and descend to the yard in North Grafton and CSX interchange.
The latest expansion for the G&U is the acquisition of the Milford Running track, that G&U now has operating rights from Franklin Forge to Milford. The G&U also rebuilt their mainline from Hopedale to Milford. We hop aboard a G&U MP15AC #1160 for a cab ride from Hopedale yard to Milford yard, then we reverse direction and head to Franklin. We then take the head end again and capture the Franklin to Milford on the Milford Running track (Leased from CSX / MBTA) Then we capture action from the ground as we chase the Hopedale to Milford and the Milford Running track! We also capture Foreign power of the G&U and MBTA detour trains!
On December 31st, 2009 The Grafton & Upton made their first trip from North Grafton to West Upton yard since February 2004. This also marks the first trip under the new management. The G&U has done an extensive overhaul on the 7 1/2 mile line from the CSX interchange in North Grafton to the yard in West Upton. Blackstone River Productions was there to capture this historic event! We capture GP9-R #1750 on her first trip to West Upton Yard on New Years Eve day 2009! We capture it in the yard in North Grafton, Downtown Grafton, West Upton yard and many more scenic locations!
In this two DVD set, we capture action from the ever growing Grafton & Upton Railroad. Located in Central Massachusetts, the G&U operates from the CSX interchange in North Grafton to the currant end of operations in Hopedale. A total of 16 miles. During the Fall of 2013, the G&U operated a special Photo Freight to welcome in their latest locomotive! EMD F7A #1501. This classic hood unit performed run by's with a freight consist and the G&U lone caboose. We captured the action from North Grafton Yard to Hopedale and return. The 1501 put on a fantastic show for the small crowd! Next up we capture action from the past couple of years, as the G&U grew in size! We captured the dirt train, regular operations and action in the yards in Hopedale and North Grafton! Also we captured the 2012 "Caboose Extra" with the 1501 still in the New York Central inspired paint scheme. We captured all of G&U's active power, including the seldom seen CF7 #1500!
The German railroad has been in operation since 1835, but the darkest chapter in German railroad history is often forgotten. Extensive original film material from the Nazi era shows the dubious role played by the Deutsche Reichsbahn during the Second World War and how little resistance there was among the railroad workers.
Documentary about the German railroad system and it's trains
This documentary introduces you to the entirety of the Amtrak service network, which spans from coast to coast, and border to border. From both trackside and onboard perspectives, you’ll see and survey the trains that so many ride for practical purposes and pure enjoyment. Along the way you’ll learn about Amtrak’s intriguing origin story, its on-going challenges, and insights on what’s yet to come.
For the past ten years, Jürgen Henn has filmed over-height trucks crashing into the 11foot8 train bridge affectionately nicknamed the "Can Opener." In that time, millions have viewed the crashes online. Regional, national, and international news organizations have dined out on the story and the goofy crash reels. But why do motorists continue to crash despite the many warnings, sensors, and signs? And what is it about these crashes that holds our attention? In this piece, we look for the humanity in human error.
A couple returns to Aghdam, the city they once fled 32 years ago due to the war. It's a story about memory held in people, and about the small, powerful ways the past resurfaces when you finally face it.
BBC Arena's documentary on the Dames of British Theatre and film featuring Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench and Joan Plowright on screen together for the first time as they reminisce over a long summer weekend in a house Joan once shared with Sir Laurence Olivier.
The film follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.
Captured during Billie Eilish's sold-out world tour, a concert experience from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation, presented in immersive 3D.
Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and other rock legends.
Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."
Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.
The life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.
An astonishing journey revealing the awesome power of the natural world. Over the course of one single day, we track the sun from the highest mountains to the remotest islands to exotic jungles.
The life of Mr. Spock, as well as that of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played him for almost fifty years, written and directed by his son: Adam.
Daniel Craig candidly reflects on his 15 year adventure as James Bond. Including never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to the upcoming 25th film No Time To Die, Craig shares his personal memories in conversation with 007 producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Retrospective documentary about the making of the horror cult classic "The Return of the Living Dead."
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
Rising musician Jeff Buckley had only released one album when he died suddenly in 1997. Now, never-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and accounts from those closest to him offer a portrait of the captivating singer.
A documentary chronicling Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's preparations for the 2007 fall-fashion issue.
A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.
Martin Scorsese spends an evening with larger-than-life raconteur Steven Prince—a former drug addict, road manager for Neil Diamond, and actor—as he recounts stories from his colorful life.
A documentary about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.
Interviews with leading authors, philosophers and scientists, with an in-depth discussion of the Law of Attraction. The audience is shown how they can learn and use 'The Secret' in their everyday lives.
Explore the evolution of Buzz Lightyear from toy to human in the making of Pixar’s Lightyear. Dive into the origin and cultural impact of everyone’s favorite Space Ranger, the art of designing a new “human Buzz,” and the challenges faced by the Lightyear crew along the way.
Join Will Smith, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro and DJ Jazzy Jeff, for a funny and heartfelt night full of music and dancing in honor of the show that ran for six seasons and 148 episodes.