Big Trains Rolling (in the Ephemeral section of Open Video Project. Also, film #218 on Prelinger Archive). [Category: Industrial]

This 50s film is basically about how great our country is and how great railroads are and how railroads make our country great. It follows two kids, Carol and Jimmy, as they take a train trip alone. The narrator tells us that normally kids like that would travel with their parents, but “just for fun” they’re going to show them traveling alone. That just begs to be msted, as does most of the film’s narration, which is very breezy and simplistic. There’s lots of color footage of trains and of scenic vistas of America during the 50s. All of this adds up to a typical industrial film experience, one with few surprises, but fun nonetheless.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: **. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.