Product Details

• Format: AC-3, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Simitar Ent.
• DVD Release Date: June 3, 1998
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305004080
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,975 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "America By Rail" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

From the Actor

For this installment of the "America By Rail" series, we wanted to showcase one of America's most scenic trips, the "Coast Starlight" which runs from L.A. to Seattle.

We actually start in San Diego and travel along the coast up to L.A. on one of Amtrak's "San Diegan" trains, before hopping on the "Starlight".

For those that think that the west is nothing but desert, watch this tape!

See miles of sandy beaches, then change scenery altogether, as the "Starlight" dives inland and passes Mt. Shasta, then climbs the snowy Cascades!

We really enjoyed making this one, even though we put 11,000 miles on our rented Avis van in 21 days!

About the Actor

The America By Rail series was jointly produced by veteran video producers Les Jarrett & Greg Scholl, who combined their many years of rail and travel video production to make the America By Rail videos.

And they are once again making America By Rail available, since customers have been asking for them back!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic scenery of our country, November 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: America By Rail:Heartland [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A coast-to-coast trip from Washington, DC to San Francisco aboard Amtrak's Capitol Limited and California Zephyr. See our nation's capitol, lush Ohio Amish Farmlands, the Great Plains, the Rockies and Sierras, before skirting along side San Pablo Bay and on into Oakland and San Francisco.

Along the way visit the following steam and diesel tourist railroads: Strasburg Railroad, Potomac Eagle, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Ohio Central, Boone & Scenic Valley, Omaha Zoo Railroad, Durango & Silverton, Heber valley, Virginia & Truckee, Napa Valley Wine Train, Roaring Camp & Big Trees, and Santa Cruz Trees & Pacific.

States covered include Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.

This superbly photographed. award-winning epic runs 2 hours. Winner:Videography Awards VHS Color Stereo Sound

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent: Side Excursions, Beautiful Scenery, Great Music, November 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: America By Rail (DVD)

I first watched America By Rail several years ago after running into a newspaper ad for it. It was better than I had expected: The scenery was absolutely stunning, the music by Michael Lynch was superb and very appropriate for the changing scenery, the narration was minimal but very well done, and there were many side excursions to older, historic railroads all across the US.

America By Rail starts in Washington, DC, our nation's capitol, and journeys through the "Heartland" of our country, through Chicago and Utah, until we reach San Francisco, CA. There are shots from inside the train, outside the train, from high above...I thought this was marvelously done. The creators Greg Scholl and Les Jarett certainly did a commendable job, and I, being a nature lover, was very impressed with the wonderful photography.

Well worth the price.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Sampler, February 24, 2000

By 

Mr M R Thornhill (Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America By Rail (DVD)

We may be zone 4 for DVD and PAL television (not NTSC) but we have our methods of beating the system.

Found this to be a great introduction to Amtrak services with great views of the US countryside and informative commentary. Particularly liked the fact that where the scenery or train dominated the screen the narration stopped. Very rare in this type of program.

The side excursions on preserved lines were interesting and whetted the appetite to try them myself.

Having always intended to tour the US and Canada by rail I can only say keep lobbying your government to keep Amtrak funded - its an asset worth keeping.

Also purchased 'Travel the World by Train - North America' (don't bother) and The Great Trans-American Ride (not bad).