Movie Railroad Car Ownership

[artpeterson]

Have some slides shot at the UP-East LA yards in June 1950 of a number of old cars used in various movies - Santa Fe open platform coaches (no numbers on them) - perhaps used in "The Harvey Girls" (MGM, 1946)?; a number of cars lettered for "Nebraska & Pacific" (used in the 1948 "Whispering Smith" movie, released by Universal?) - various types and numbers, including open platform coach 590, open platform combine 426, work car 1092 and box car 1218; a number of cars lettered for Union Pacific; and, one lettered for CStPM&O - a shorty, open platform baggage car painted in a two-tone blue scheme.  Any idea who would have owned the cars at the time and what happened to them?  Thanks much for any and all info, Art

[cprted]

Ownership of the cars would have been retained by the RR and equipment is simply leased out to the studio. 

[twhite]

Art: 

When Paramount Pictures filmed their 1939 railroad epic UNION PACIFIC, they leased 19th century locomotives and rolling stock from the Virginia & Truckee RR, a fabled Nevada shortline that ran from Reno to Virginia City.  After the movie was finished, Paramount bought the locos and rolling stock outright from the shortline and used them in several other films--most notably WHISPERING SMITH in 1949.  Some of these cars were also loaned to other studios for their 'railroad' work, and appeared in films released by MGM, Warner Brothers, Universal-International and 20th Century Fox. 

Other movie studios also acquired older 19th century locomotives from various railroads-- MGM acquired one V&T loco, and several passenger cars for their musical THE HARVEY GIRLS, Fox acquired a handsome 4-4-0 locomotive from a Missouri shortline which was used in JESSE JAMES and CENTENNIAL SUMMER, among other films, and Universal acquired Nevada County Narrow Gauge 2-6-0 #5, which had 'starring' roles in such films as THE SPOILERS (both the 1940 and '52 versions) and the James Stewart film SHENANDOAH.  Warners bought the narrow guage 4-4-0 "Eureka" that used to run on the Eureka and Palisade railroad and later worked on a logging line out of Truckee, CA, using it in films including TORRID ZONE and CHEYENNE AUTUMN.  

In turn, the Sierra Railway in central California became famous for leasing several of their locomotives to Hollywood production companies for filming on their line.  Most famous of these locos were their 2-8-0 #18, which featured in films such as DODGE CITY, SANTA FE TRAIL and DUEL IN THE SUN, and #3, a Rogers 4-6-0, which has starred in more movies and TV shows than almost any other locomotive in film history.   

Most of the Paramount V&T rolling stock and locomotives have since been returned to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, NV, and can be seen there.  It will probably be used again as the state of Nevada completes its rebuilding of the Carson City/Virginia City portion of the old V&T as a tourist railroad. 

Several of the V&T "Movie" locomotives are also on display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, most notably the 2-4-0 "J.W. Bowker" (originally the Virginia City switcher), which was the 'star' of UNION PACIFIC as the "General McPherson." 

The Warner Brothers 4-4-0 "Eureka" has been beautifully restored to its 1870's condition and is privately owned.  It often is transported to Durango, CO by its owner and run on the Durango and Silverton RR during steam festivals.

The Universal 2-6-0 has been returned to Nevada City, CA and is the star attraction at their Nevada County Narrow Gauge railroad museum. 

For the most part, the movie equipment has fared very well.  In fact, we should be thankful to the studios for acquiring them and helping preserve them through a time when otherwise they might have ended up as scrap. 

Tom

[artpeterson]

Hi Tom -

Thanks very much for the information, I really appreciate knowing these details!  Just the cars were in the UP yard when Ira shot them, none of the locos.  The Santa Fe cars were very distinctive with that odd clerestory arrangement they had, so they stand out right away!  Agreed that these cars would have had little or no chance of making it to today had they not had the movie career.  Art

[espeefoamer]

In about 1972-3 I saw a 4-6-0 in the UP East L.A. yard. this engine was in very poor condition. I assumed this loco was owned by a movie company. Does anyone know anything about this loco?

[twhite]

Art: 

Those "Santa Fe" cars you saw with the unique clestory roofs were probably still painted for their use in THE HARVEY GIRLS, and were originally V&T passenger cars.  One of them was probably the "Julia Bullette", which was named after a famous Virginia City courtesan.  They're now on display in Carson City in their original V&T yellow and green livery. 

Hopefully, the cars will soon be running on the restored Virginia and Truckee line between Carson City and Virginia City, as soon as trackage is completed within the next year or so.  The better part of the line between the two towns has been completed, all that needs to be done, as far as I know, is the trackage between the Museum at Carson City along the Carson River to the crossing of Highway 50, some 10 or so miles out of Carson City. 

The V&T locomotives are awaiting Federal inspection and approval of rebuilt boilers and flues, and after that, they should be running regularly as soon as the line is completely rebuilt. 

I for one, hope it's pretty soon.  Carson City is within a couple of hours o where I live, and  I plan on being a regular passenger! 

Tom

[artpeterson]

Hi Tom -

Yes, looked at the NV State RR Museum site last night and saw many of the cars that were in the group photographed in the UP yard in June 1950.  The baggage car lettered for CStPM&O looks to be ex-V&T 21 (I), while the water car lettered as UPRR 2 should be the ex-V&T 2.  Thanks again for all the great info!  I'm going to contact the museum and see if they'd be interested in using any scans of these images on their site, as well as asking if they can help ID the lineage of any of the other cars shot in 1950.

All the best, Art

[twhite]

espeefoamer

In about 1972-3 I saw a 4-6-0 in the UP East L.A. yard. this engine was in very poor condition. I assumed this loco was owned by a movie company. Does anyone know anything about this loco?

espeefoamer: 

I can only take a relatively educated guess, but the 4-6-0 might have been ex Virginia and Truckee #25, which was bought by RKO studios in the 1940's and used in several of their films--most notably a western called BEST OF THE BAD MEN with Robert Ryan.  I think it was also borrowed by Disney Studios for a couple of movies, though I can't be sure. 

Unfortunately, I don't have any information on the disposition of this particular locomotive as to whether or not it has survived.  It was a particularly handsome locomotive, especially with it's capped stack.  I hope it has survived, however. 

You might want to check with the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, NV.  They may have more information on that particular locomotive. 

The reason I think that the locomotive you saw MIGHT be #25, is that for the most part, the historic locomotives actually acquired by movie studios were of the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement (with the exception of NCNG #5, a 2-6-0).  As far as I know, most locomotives of a 4-6-0 or 2-8-0 wheel arrangement were leased or 'borrowed' by studios and filmed on the leasing railroads own lines. 

Tom

[twhite]

artpeterson

Hi Tom -

Yes, looked at the NV State RR Museum site last night and saw many of the cars that were in the group photographed in the UP yard in June 1950.  The baggage car lettered for CStPM&O looks to be ex-V&T 21 (I), while the water car lettered as UPRR 2 should be the ex-V&T 2.  Thanks again for all the great info!  I'm going to contact the museum and see if they'd be interested in using any scans of these images on their site, as well as asking if they can help ID the lineage of any of the other cars shot in 1950.

All the best, Art

Art: 

I don't know where you live, but believe me, if you're ever on vacation in Northern California or nearby Nevada, I would make it a point to visit both the California State Railroad Museum here in Sacramento and the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, NV.  Both of them are absolute Treasure Chests of beautifully preserved railroad locomotives, equipment and railroad history information. 

I don't think you'd regret the trip, believe me! 

Best,

Tom

[artpeterson]

Hi Tom - Sitting in downtown Chicago as I type this.  Agreed, in looking at the NSRM site, they have some wonderful locos and rolling stock in their collection!  Have sent a few of the scans to NSRM and they've been most helpful already.  Have a few more car shots to send them and then will scan some V&T train and loco shots which were taken on May 3, 1949, but otherwise no back-up data on them.  Thanks again for all your help with this - have a great weekend!  Art