Marilee and I wish good health to you and yours. Wow, what a far different world since the last time you heard from us! While Marilee's work in the medical profession is considered an essential service, my event videography, part-time radio personality, and State human resources positions do not. These extra hours have allowed time to chauffeur Marilee to her daily grind. Yes, she can truly say "home, James!" and I'll escort her here in my trusty and slightly rusty '08 Corolla. The "silver linings" have been our new evening ritual of calling old friends and catching up. Tell-Tale Productions, my creative, historical media outlet since 2003, have benefited from extra time to make new friends (from a safe distance, of course!) and get some items checked off on the "to do" list. I'm proud to say our book offerings are alive and well. The second edition of KEESEVILLE, AUSABLE CHASM & LAKE CHAMPLAIN features additional material and improved photo reproduction. Signed, low numbered copies begin at #120 as of this writing. Best yet, KAC&LC's 188 pages can be had for 50% off the cover price. We'd be glad to send one or more to your door for less than 20 bucks.              
 
90 Years of Tomorrows:
April 12, 1930-April 12, 2020
BRISTOL RAILROAD RIDES INTO THE SUNSET
Promptly at 3:15, after the habitual careful consultation of watches, the little locomotive (Number One) slowly pulled away from Bristol station to start its last round trip to the junction and return, drawing one freight car and the combination baggage and passenger coach. It was April 12, 1930. A demure, yet apparently lonely young lady occupied a seat in the rear of the coach and gravely watched the rapidly shifting scenery, as the train sped swiftly down "the chute" toward New Haven Junction. This last official train swung around the curves and gained momentum on straight stretches of downgrade track under the skillful guiding hand of engineer Fred Laparl, capably assisted by the keen eye of fireman Cloid Tinnan, and the usually jovial conductor Frank Mott. When the siding at New Haven Junction was safely reached without fanfare, the crew's unusual quiet and downcast sad faces said it all! A more than 38-year tradition had reached the end of the line. Delayed slightly by the tardiness of the Rutland R.R. train, the start from the junction was made at 4:45. The return trip, however, was characterized by an increased passenger list, made up of John S. Burt, accompanied by his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Perkins. Mr. Burt owned the dubious distinction of experiencing the first and last train. Seven-year-old Peveril Peake was among the younger folks aboard that last run. In retrospect, Burt probably didn’t see a great deal of change over the years. Engineer Laparl had been along for most of the ride. The same could be said for locomotive Number One. It is likely the sentimental crew wiped away a few tears as they eased their beloved locomotive into the enginehouse, where she'd await the final call of duty pulling up the rails behind her during the late summer.   
 
Ninety years later comes a book ninety years in the making. Order your signed, numbered 200-page NEW HAVEN JUNCTION-BRISTOL, VERMONT: CROSSROADS TO CASKETS book by author and filmmaker James R. “Jim” Jones. Signed, low numbered copies still available. Only $29.95 includes free shipping and tax. Save $10 off the cover price, and enjoy a limited edition keepsake delivered to your door in LATE MAY, EARLY JUNE. Mail order check or money order to: Jim Jones, Tell-Tale Productions, Box 808, Colchester, VT 05446. On-line orders are encouraged, for lowest numbers.

Vermont Rail System: A Railroad Renaissance books, now 50% off their original cover price, are yours for the CABIN FEVER SPECIAL of only $29.95 with free shipping, and we'll pay sales tax.This colorful, 295 page hardbound is the perfect companion to Tell-Tale Productions' critically acclaimed VRS and Rutland Remnants video series. My father Robert C. Jones published and wrote most of the chapters, while I researched and penned the New York & Ogdensburg R.R. section. My video adventures generally featured still images, too. My "secret weapon", with Marilee, skillfully edited our words and polished them to a shine! This wonderful hardbound will melt away those self-quarantined hours, with no batteries or password required! 


LAST, BUT NOT LEAST-- I'm proud to be considered, by some, the "Ken Burns of railroad documentaries." We pride ourselves on carefully researched rail tales featuring trains, landscape, images of the past and present, local history along the routes, with colorful interview segments from a variety of folks from all walks of life. These DVDs and downloads start at only $4.99. Most run 90 minutes to 2-1/2 hours, with disk authoring for those who wish to access specific chapters from their easy chair. Our CABIN FEVER special features all 40 titles at 50% off, U.S. MEDIA MAIL shipping and sales tax included! Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Southern Quebec highlight our Northeast offerings. The ALCO HEAVEN series takes you across the U.S. and Canada. MIDWEST MEMORIES features some fun shortline and fallen flags recorded during the 1990s. Ten Colorado DVDs and downloads blanket the state like no others! My 15-year residence in the Centennial State (1986-2000) created numerous opportunities to capture rapidly changing operations of all shapes, sizes, and gauges. At these prices, you can go on multiple explorations without leaving the safety and comfort of your home. See what you've been missing!    

 
TELL-TALE ON TV!
Our YouTube Channel offers special free content. Enjoy trailers for all 40 videos, and special video presentations. From your easy chair, view James R. "Jim" Jones' historic presentations given to appreciative live audiences and on cable access TV for decades. Enjoy commercial free bonus footage by visiting our YouTube Channel.
 

Warmest regards,

James R."Jim" and Marilee C. Jones
Tell-Tale Productions