Railroads in the movies

[Anonymous]

Interesting article in the new "Classic Trains" about the movie "Danger Lights". The article prompted me to watch it again. I had forgotton just how hokey the plots and acting were in some of these old flicks! The original "Silver Streak" was similar in terms of plot and acting abilities of the cast. The trains were the real "Stars" of these old movies. Does anyone know of other movies, either "oldies" or newer movies, where trains played a significant role, and were portrayed with any degree of realism? One that comes to mind is "Breakheart Pass", from I believe in the '70's. Are there any that you guys think are pretty good? Any real dogs? What did you most like or dislike about them? Ron.

[Anonymous]

I remember seeing the movie "Runaway Train" it was made in the early 1980's. It was about two convicts who jump onboard a freight train in Alaska. It was somewhat realistic but had its faults. If you come across it I would rent it. The scenes filmed inside the cab were pretty interesting.

[Anonymous]

Let us not forget "Emporer of the North" with Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin. There was also Van Ryan's express with Frank Sinatra and "The Train" with Bert Lancaster. The " Good Bad and Ugly" had train parts in it too. All of the above were good movies that I try to watch every time I can.

George in Murfreesboro

[favuprailroadfan]

Even though it ain't a train movie, there are snipits of old steam in the movie, "Tombstone". Good movie in itself, but there is a good scene in there where they have it steaming at night. Good work on lighting, and getting the chuff chuff in the sound as well.


Dru

[Anonymous]

i also liked the movie "Runaway Train". the movie "switchback" also has some good shots of Rio Grande trains twoards the end. the problem i have with recent movies involving trains is that they seem to make the trains out as bad things. they always involve a train wreck threatening a town, or a train running someone over. you rarely see trains in movies portrayed (sp) in a good way anymore.

[favuprailroadfan]

One other good movie that really involves a train is the movie Under Siege II. Excellant work with the train in that one. At the end, where the pyrotechnics took over with the collision on the bridge. One of the best explosion scenes I've ever seen. If you haven't ever seen it, watch it.

Dru

[Anonymous]

there was a circus movie, I think called "the Greatest Show on Earth", had charlton hesston and several other stars in it. had lot's of circus train action as well as a good storyline anyway. had a very good train wreck towards the end, (special effects were quite good for the time). there was also another old movie called "Union Pacific" that isn't bad. like some of the other guys have said, there's several old westerns that had pretty good train scenes/robberies/bridge collapses/etc. Runaway train really wasn't too bad, lot's of action and cab views, somewhat unrealistic at times but definately worth watching, and a pretty good plot, too.

[Anonymous]

Derek, your mention of "Union Pacific" reminded me of an old western that had a lot of rail action in it. Unfortunately, I don't remember the title. It was made around 1956-58 and I THINK it starred James Stewart and possibly Audie Murphy. Much of the action centered around a yard and engine terminal. The movie I'm thinking of is NOT "Night Passage" which was made around the same time and had the above mentioned stars in it. Ron.

[Anonymous]

Disney's "Great Locomotive Chase" for steamers,
a classic!

and in the not-so-authenic-but-fun class:

"Continental Divide" for AMTRAK (ok - so ya CAN'T pay cash as you go, or hop on the last car as the train pulls out - but it sure shows the joy of a sleeping car ;-)

And "Back to the Future III" - how wonderful to mix SciFi with a steam loco !

George

[Onetrack49]

What is the of the movie where Walter Matthau was the star, his family checked him into a nursing home, then during a bus trip to an amusement park, some of the nursing home residents took the amusement park train out onto the main line? Thanks for any help!

[Anonymous]

Ron, I cannot remember the name but the best train movie I saw was about a railfan trying to save a narrow gage steam railroad that operated from Merced to Yosimite just after WWII. It was awsome and won an Academy Award. I will try to get the name because every railfan should see it. As a whole the movie suffered from a disjointed plot but the rail road action was great and the passion the young man had for railroading brought a tear to my eye.

[Anonymous]

I saw the same movie a month or so ago on the "Independent Film Channel". I also can't remember the name of it, and the title gave no indication that railroads were involved. Another movie where the trains supported bad writing and acting. Ron.

[Anonymous]

a little fyi on the movie "silver streak" they wanted to use amtrak engines but amtrak thought it would make them look bad. so most of the movie was filmed in canada because cp rail let them film their engines with no problem. but anyways a good movie to watch is "end of the line" howard brimley is the star of the movie. there is a ton of shots in the engine. if you can find this movie, I highly recommend buy it or at least rent it. I think it was filmed in 1987. jim lammon

[Anonymous]

Starz/Encore is running the movie "Tough Guys" with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster (1986), Which involves two former train robbers who are released from prison, have a hard time adapting after 30 years in prison and decide to rob the train again. Basically, not a real good movie, and the train action is all in the last 20 minutes or so, but what they wind up doing to the 4449 is downright obscene. Doyle McCormack appears briefly as the engineer. Ron.

[Anonymous]

Some of the younger readers may not be aware that there are two "Silver Streak" movies. There is the 1976 version with Gene Wilder and Jill Clayburgh, and the one made back in the mid-1930's which featured the Burlington Zephyr. Other than the title, there is no similarity between the two movies. Ron.

[Anonymous]

I didn't mean to sound like a "know it all" but I was talking about the 1976 version.

[Anonymous]

I hope I didn't give the impression that I thought you were a "know it all". In fact, I was aware that the 1976 version was filmed in Canada, but didn't know it was due to AMTRAK not allowing their equipment to be used. Thanks for that bit of info.

Since this forum appeals to a wide range of ages, my comments about the earlier "Silverstreak" was merely intended to point out to the younger readers that an earlier movie of the same title does exist. Ron.

[Anonymous]

"The General" with Buster Keaton, from 1927. This was a comedy film version of Anderson's Raid from the Civil War. Probably one of the best silent film comedies ever. There's also a Little Rascals (anyone remember them?) short from 1929 called "Railroading." Funny, with a great runaway train sequence. Lots of Santa Fe steam from the Los Angeles area. The opening scenes in a Santa Fe engine yard will make steam fans drool.
Don't know if these movies are available at your local rental place, but they are in print, and you may find them at your local library.

[Anonymous]

Is this the one I'm thinking about with Steven Segal playing a cook?

[Anonymous]

Not to be critical, but its Wilford Brimley (Quaker Oatmeal Man). Any way I caught this movie last week on the SAT. Just goes to show you that the little guy can win out with a little persaverence and tenacity.Hope they ran that air freight guy right out of business. One thing I couldn't figure out tho is how they got all the way to Chicago on the MoPac without running over another train?

[Anonymous]

There is one I've seen lately, maybe somene can help with a name. Danny Glover is driving a white
Caddy with the interior done in pinups. He picks up a hitchiker,they head to Colorado. Danny Glover
is an ex railroad man whose also a murderer and a kidnapper. The FBI is on his case, he frames the hitchiker. They hook up with his buddies on the
D&RGW, lotta good winter action in the mountains.
There is a stabbing, and a fight on the train, Danny Glover falls off into the canyon,everyone lives happily ever after.
One of the best train movies I've ever seen is
the 1945 MGM musical "Harvey Girls" with Judy Garland. It takes place at one of Fred Harveys
hotels. The score was written by Johnny Mercer and
Harold Arlen. The song "The Atcheson Topeka& Santa Fe" won an oscar in 1946. Some good Santa Fe steam action and depot scenes.

[alangj]

Is it in the fight scene at the end of that Danny Glover movie where somebody's (Glover?) hanging off the blade of a snow/ballast spreader as the train is winding its way through a canyon? I recall that the spreader was coupled at the very back end of the train, and that the blade was swinging apparently uncontrolledly out over the steep canyon. I remember seeing that movie on TV a few years back, but can't come up with a title for it, either. I've checked on Glover's listings in some of the online movie info databases, but can't come up with anything with a matching plot description.

[alangj]

!!! FOUND IT !!!

The title is "SWITCHBACK", with Danny Glover and Dennis Quaid (among others), and was released in 1997. You can find a fairly complimentary review on-line at "http://us.imdb.com/title?0119210" Another, rather harsh review is on-line at
"http://www.cd.columbus.oh.us/news/movies/swit1031.html"

Alan

[Anonymous]

!!!YESSS!!! Thats it!!! THANKS for the info!!!

[Anonymous]

I just checked out the imdb site. Did you watch the trailer? The end of it shows Dennis Quaid and Danny Glover falling out and fighting on the end of that snow thingy as the train is approaching
a tunnel.Thanks Again for all of the info.

[alangj]

Glad to be of help!

Yes, I watched the trailer on "imdb" tonight after I saw your reply and have to admit that the ending fight scene on the piece of snow equipment is the ONLY scene that I DO remember from when I saw the movie on TV a few years back, other than remembering that the outdoor shots of the train going through that canyon were pretty impressive for the rugged scenery in winter.

Alan

[Anonymous]

One movie that features a railroad is "The Fgitive" starring Harrison Ford, although the train part is short, the wreck really took place, the Great Smokey Mountains RR said they could wreck one of there trains. I dont know if they finnaly cleaned up the wreck, but if you take the train you could maybe see it. All of this took place in North Carolina near Fontada dam(the dam was also in the movie), it took place in a small town where my uncle had a creek house(the town was also in the movie). You just have to board the train and it will take yopu to the site of the wreck(if its still there).

[Anonymous]

I meant "The Fugitive"...oops..

[Anonymous]

Sorry about all those spelling errors, I just woke up.

[citidude]

The name of this movie is "The Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day". This is one of the finest train movies I've ever seen. After seeing the movie, I checked out a Yosemite Valley RR website and found that the dates cited in the movie were accurate. To the credit of the filmakers, a photo of the real Merced Station was used. Some actual Yosemite Valley RR film was used, too.

It was also pleasurable to see a derailment in a movie instead of a spectacular wreck. This was not a violent movie (which is also important to me) but the sex scenes may offend some viewers.

As a single guy, I also enjoyed watching the ultimate railfan date - the protagonist taking a woman on a private railroad car.

This movie is available as a video for purchase, but I cannot remember the firm who sells it. - Dave