Customer Reviews

Extreme Trains: The Complete Season One

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"We" are watching this series as it comes on TV now and have seen all the episodes to date (not in order): high speed Acela, Ice cold produce train, Coal train, Amtrak sleeper train, steam train... did I miss any?

We have a train crazed 5 year old who makes us watch them over and over on our DVR until the next new episode runs and he then fixates on that one... We like the host Matt - I describe him as an adorable train geek - and as a parent I dont find him annoying like some video narrator/hosts can be (after you have to listen to the same video 100 times with you child) and the sound bites my 5 year old are picking up from him are more funny than anything ("full speed and full throttle" is one...)

The series is a good blend of info on the featured train and tangents into related subjects (how do you clean out a steam engines boiler? where do old freezer car box cars go to die and be recycled?...) If this video set was out now we would immeadiatley have bought it for Christmas (and to free up the space on our DVR) or told our childs uncles and such to get it for him for a present!

I stumbled upon this series while looking for train shows for my 6 year old son...he loves the show so much we have almost every show to date and will definitely buy this dvd. He has even begun to say "Hello, my name is Kieran and ever since I was little I have loved trains."

I have to agree Matt is awesome...he is grown kid playing with real life trains....I learned so much about trains and the history about them that I can't wait til next season....Trains rule at our house! We are train hunters...no matter where trains are we will find them.

This documentary about massive trains and their destinations has been one of the most interesting series on the TV since Tony Robinson's Worst Jobs in History. Matt Brown is a train man: a conductor on a state of Maine rail line . He talks to the camera like he is talking to all of us as he rides the train or performs the many jobs that are needed to get the train to the Job.
I have seen all of the shows to date and I can't wait to collect all of these on DVD . Well worth the wait .Coming is the Ringling Brothers Circus Train .Tonight is the Steam Train episode.
Also what about the blue CSX Passenger train that pulls through Atlanta ? It must have at least 17 coaches . Is it a passenger train or a moving university ? I don't know . It might be an idea for a future episode.

This two disk set shows a lot of different trains and train operations. But it sometimes seemed this series is more about the host than the topic. His face fills the screen constantly, with quick cuts to different train operations. I saw a lot of quick glimpses into how things are done, but would have really enjoyed longer, more detailed shots of the hardware and shorter shots of the host. One thing for sure, I know what the host looks like while riding and working around trains. I'm certainly no expert, but I did hear one bit of information about train line brakes that was backwards (applying air to the train brake line applies the brakes, which it doesn't). Later on in another segment the host seems to get the correct script and mentions the actual way train brakes work. There's some interesting shots in a major locomotive repair facility, and in the railroad control center. Just be ready to see the technical stuff once the host moves his face out of the way. Did we get to see how a locomotive is started? No. Why they are rarely shut down? No. Close-up shots of the instrument panel, especially the ones with computer screens? No. All in all it's enjoyable and worth the price. But the camera crew was RIGHT THERE! They could have captured so much more, but missed it. If you're not interested in the technical stuff, than you'll probably be 100% satisfied. Otherwise, get ready to join the host close up and ride the rails (while looking over his shoulder).

This DVD is very well done and very informative. The host, Matt Bown, has been described as being overly enthusiastic and too simple. The producers realized that the audience's railroad education could range from knowing nothing to all knowing. I am the 3rd generation out of 4 in my family that has worked on a railroad. Though I am no longer working for a railroad I am still a locomotive engineer. If you want to learn about how the railroads built this country and how it continues to serve our country and the world and not be put to sleep by many of the train DVD's out there, this is the DVD set for you. Whatever the cost, it's worth it. There are 105 combined years of railroading in my family and still going. I own this and love it. Thank you History Channel and Matt Bown!!

My son and I watched this over and over again when it was playing on TV -- and yes I do have it on order.

This is a nice set of DVDs on trains for the common person. Some people comment that Matt Brown appears obnoxious... I think his enthusiasm shows through.

Many other train shows only depict old, grainy outdoor images of trains going past on the screen. What I liked about this show was that it took the viewer behind the scenes, and put the trains in context of something bigger. And they have a good selection, including "steamies" and the Acela express that travels from Washington DC to Boston. There's even a circus train.

If you or your kid like trains, this is a great buy. If you're a very serious train enthusiast looking for detailed specifics of locomotive make and model, this show is probably not for you.

An avid fan of trans, and model railroading, I love this show. It's the favorite show of my 4 year old who watches an episode at least daily, and knows more about the operations of railroads than most adults because of this show.

The camera work is well done, and captures the hard steel and movement of a train. Matt Bown is a great host who adds excitement and his love of trains with the audience, giving great descriptions of the technical aspects of railroading. You'll walk away from the show with a greater understanding of trains and a deeper love for them as well.

The extras are nice, as there are some scenes from nearly every episode that never aired. I would liked to have seen some audio commentary though.

Be forewarned, the show's uniquely zealous host might get on your nerves or excite you, depending on your nature. It's a diverse, interesting series. Personally, I really enjoyed it. There's nothing quite like it on the railfan scsne. The sound and photography is very good. The information provided is just about right. For the price, I recommend it.

Not only does my 3 1/2 yr. old son LOVE this video, my husband and I do as well. Full of information and history that I never knew about trains. It covers more than just diesel and steam engines. The different jobs trains do are reviewed. You can tell that the host, Matt Bown, really enjoys his job, he's lots of fun to watch. High energy!

My father and son totally bonded over this series. My son is 4 years old and often requests to watch one of these. Definitely for train lovers out there and appropriate for kids!