Nature on Rails

Model husbands prove that size isn't everything as they get steamed up over Lilliput locomotives.

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.

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.

Click for full movie details & trailers.

Documentary about the German railroad system and it's trains

Meet the crew of the Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985, the largest and most powerful steam engine in the world. This colorful documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at the conductors, engineers and mechanics who keep this fickle train running, an engaging history of steam power, and a scenic tour the Great Plains -- from Cheyenne, Wyo., through Denver and across Nebraska to the Omaha headquarters of the Union Pacific.

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.

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!

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 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.

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 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!

Pioneering 3D promotional film about the Pennsylvania Railroad.

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.

The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the most important religious journeys for millions of people around the world. But how to get there? This documentary shows us how 12 companies met the immense challenge of running a high-speed train through Saudi Arabia's sandy rocky desert in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. A true marvel of engineering and cooperation, and together, overcoming obstacles.

In this production, we take a ride on the Strasburg Railroad and check out the White Mountain Central Railroad's Railfan Days. We start off at Strasburg Railroad and a trip behind #475 for a trip from East Strasburg to Leaman Place in Paradise. We use our 180º camera and attach it on the rear of the car behind the #475 for the 4 1/2 mile trip to Paradise. Next, we travel to the White Mountain region of New Hampshire and the White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Trading Post. We check out Railfan Days in September to catch all the operating steam locomotives along with non-operable locos as well! We also capture the lone diesel locomotive in action. We capture all the action from both sides of the classic covered bridge and along the line!

You'll be surrounded by stunning, snow-covered mountains on this trip from Field, British Columbia, to Exshaw, Alberta. Plus, take in the beauty of Morant's Curve.

Hold on for Canada's steepest territory along the Mountain Sub line and get ready for gorgeous scenery as you ride over Rogers Pass.

On May 2nd, 2009 The Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts ran a special rare mileage excursion over the southern end of the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. The trip ran from Meredith, New Hampshire south to the state capital, Concord New Hampshire! This trip travels along the Lakes Region of Central New Hampshire, through many of the popular towns of Laconia, Tilton, and Northfield on its way to Concord! The rails were once part of the Boston & Maine network that ran to the White Mountains. The trip included two different railroads: The Winnipesaukee Scenic and the New England Southern Railroad. Winnipesaukee Scenic operated to Northfield where New England Southern took over and ran on freight-only trackage to Concord! We captured the excursion from Meredith to Concord and return!