Product Details

• Directors: Christopher Davenport
• Format: Black & White, Collector's Edition, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 3
• VHS Release Date: November 15, 1998
• Run Time: 271 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1893097048
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,457 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

"Most fascinating...particularly to the railfan and the historian."

Product Description

"WAR TRAINS", a 3 volume video set, features spectacular archival footage of steam engines and diesel locomotives in action. Travel across four continents and through five wars as this incredible series shows you how the railroad was indispensable in the winning of wars. This exciting documentary celebrates a century of unforgettable railroading, from the Civil War to World War I, WW II, Korean War, and Vietnam. This three-part documentary includes "Combat Strategies", "Subvert and Destroy" and "Air Attacks".

"Vol. 1 Combat Strategies"

Since 1862, when Abraham Lincoln authorized the formation of the United States Military Railroad, railroaders and military men have fought side by side. This is the story of how the railroad has been an indispensable tool in the winning of wars.

You'll see the railroads prepare for war in rare and never-before-seen archival footage. Arrive in France and watch as the "Iron Warrior", the Baldwin steam locomotive, is built from the rails up and readied for war. See step-by-step how a military railroad operates. You'll find out how the massive fourteen-inch guns of the United States' Navy's heavy railroad artillery were inspired by battleships, and you'll walk with FDR as he inspects trains assembled for battle.

See how a massive rail system was built right up to the front lines and learn the role of the "Trench" engine. Then you'll join forces with the Military Railroad Service, rushing men and munitions to the front lines.

Witness first hand the Combat Strategies that have made the railroad "a weapon as important as the tanks and guns it transports to the fighting front."

"Vol. 2 Subvert and Destroy"

Combat planning includes subversive warfare, the massive fire power of heavy railroad artillery and the explosive force of sabotage. You'll be an eyewitness to actual subversive warfare and see how repeated acts of sabotage are used to delay and destroy the enemy's reinforcements and supply system.

Watch as troops set charges to railroad tracks and bridges. Go behind German lines and fire heavy railroad artillery. Ride in armored railroad cars with the security forces protecting supply trains in Vietnam.

You'll witness the effects of the CIA's secret weapon for railroad destruction known as "The Mole". Watch as a train is derailed, with slow motion footage showing the devastating effects of high explosives. Then fight back with the railroad repair troops, and marvel at the speed at which they rebuild tracks, bridges, and rolling stock.

In "Subvert and Destroy", you'll see recently declassified footage from the Office of Strategic Services and the Central Intelligence Agency, along with incredible archival footage of the railroads in action.

"Vol. 3 Air Attacks"

Through one hundred years of railroads at war, no innovation in military transportation surpassed the dominance and durability of the railroads in supporting and supplying all branches of the armed forces. As the age of aviation progressed, bringing an ever-expanding range of military weaponry, the railroad became a principal target of attacks by air.

You'll experience the thrill of train running while under full attack by enemy bombers. Pilot a P-47 while strafing trains and rail lines. Bomb railroad tunnels, bridges and rail yards. You'll take aim against enemy aircraft with a machine gun battalion as troops rush to repair bomb damage to the railroad. You'll also climb aboard a hospital train to help those wounded during air raids and bombing runs.

Discover the secrets of defense that railroads used to prevent air attacks, including simulated bomb damage, and find out how railroad bridges were made to "disappear" and reappear the next day. Watch as, time after time, the railroad proves its astounding resilience.

"Air Attacks" thrusts you into a tension-filled duel of plane against train.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A long-overdue film!, July 24, 2004

By 

Lee Bishop "Slightly crazed but armed..." (Seattle, WA area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Trains (DVD)

I just found this amazing DVD at a RR museum. I'd held off buying the box set of VHS tapes, but the DVD price was worth the risk.
It turned out to be no risk! "War Trains," is a fine collection of documentary footage, films from servicemen in different time periods, and incredible (pardon the pun) training films from WW2!
The film has some narration and explanation, and is largely a compilation of archive footage. This shouldn't prevent you from buying this film, as they found material that I have never seen before. Mostly, the film goes into the WW2 time period. I found that the instruction films from WW2 about how a US RR Operating Battalion works to be very informative. The OSS sabotage films are very interesting and are worth the price of the DVD by themselves, in my opinion.
The most unusual scenes were of security measures for a train through war-torn Vietnam (surely, a subject completely ignored by anyone other than those who did such duty).
Other film of "trench engines" in service in WW1 was amazing.
There was very little on this DVD I had ever seen before and anyone interested in either US military history or railroading would find this a very worthwhile film to watch!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Footage!!!!!, July 3, 2006

By 

Docfil (America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Trains (DVD)

Wow! There is some spectacular footage is this documentary. The DVD is broken up into three one hour sections - 1. Combat Strategies 2. Subvert and Destroy 3. Air Attacks. I learned a lot of things watching this like how hard it is to keep a rail line out of action. It's amazing how resiliant a railroad is. I especially loved the footage from WW I and WW II. There's a shot of a train yard with what looks to be hundreds of newly built engines all in rows. It's very impressive. Buy this DVD if you love trains or get it for somebody you know who loves trains. You'll be glad you did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historic footage, January 28, 2010

By 

S.F. DVD watcher (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Trains (DVD)

I think this video was worth the price. I was amazed at all the historic train footage; mostly World War 2 but some good video from World War 1, '50's, and '60's. In addition, if you like World War 2 military aviation, there's quite a bit of that as well.