Australian Live Steam
What can I
say about this DVD? It is absolutely amazing! Dick Collingridge has
really pulled one out of the bag. There is something on this for every
steam fan no matter what aspect they're into.
Along with the usual footage of steam events, there is informed
theoretical explanation of steam topics by reasonably entertaining
presenters.
To use the words from the cover "Australia's relationship with the
steam engine has a long and rich history, spanning nearly two hundred
years. From the sugar cane fields in Bundarberg to the majestic
ocean-going South Steyne, steam played a vital role in building the
nation. Finally, here is a deserving tribute to Australian steam,
extensively researched and filmed, and told by the people who share the
passion of keeping our history alive."
The presentation is in two parts on two DVD discs and covers:
Part One: Beam &
Stationary; Steam Cars; Steam Ships; Paddle Wheelers; Model
locomotives; Sugard Mill; 3801; Trams; Fire Fighting; Echucha Festival
Part Two: Traction
Engines; Scale models; Farm machinery; Merry-go-round; Earth moving;
Model boats; Wooden launches; Mining; Eveliegh Steam Workshop and
Electric power.
|
 |
Dick
first contacted me to find out how he might advertise his DVD to
the world and included a copy for me to take a look at. I was expecting
the usual not terribly interesting presentation with the non-descript
music background common to so many of this sort of production - boy,
was I surprised. I started to watch the first disk about 11pm one night
intending to just flick through and ended up watching both of them well
into the morning. The presentation was interesting and held my
attention. It is broken into distinct sections which segway easily from
one to the next. Each section has a presentation from a
knowledgeable
person on the areas covered in that section and loads of well filmed
footage on the topic. Sometimes the presentation is teacher-student
format, but is usually spoken during the filmed action.
There really is something for everyone on this one. In addition it is a
great source for information for school assignments (my eldest did an
assignment on steam locomotives partly based on what he learnt from
this video). I was pleased to see so many people I know on this
presentation - Dick went out to the collectors and owners who display
their hard work in the preservation arena.
The technical presentation is also very good, this is not just a video
transfer to digital format - this is a digital production from the
beginning with stereo sound and it really shows. The video is
crisp
and clear, even the smoke looks good (usually a problem on DVD). The
sound is clear and rich. The absence of on overpowering "jaunty" music
track is wonderful - I don't know about you, but I want to hear the
machines not some boring stock musical track. From time to time there
is music, but it is in the background allowing you to hear all of the
action.
Looking for a present for a steam nut? This is it! Not to mention train
nuts, car nuts, boat nuts, farming nuts... mixed nuts :).
|
You can pick up this video from
directly
Dick Collingridge Productions
PO Box 120, Turramurra NSW 2074 |
It is also available from
Australian Model Engineering Retail
http://www.ameng.com.au/retail.htm
and
The National Screen and Sound Archive
http://www.screensound.gov.au/
|
|
This menu is included for the blind to use with speaking software that may not be able to cope with the java based popup menu at the top of the screen.
.