In the movie Unstoppable, when 1206 is on the turntable and Will (the condutor) is operating the turntable and Denzel Washington (Frank Barnes the engineer) is finishing his phone call to his daughters, Will asks if there is a problem and Denzel says something to the effect about Will having 1206 backwards and not being on the ballast. I realize this movie does not depic completely proper railroad procedures but I would like to know what is wrong with 1206 on the turntable
I have not seen the movie, but I wonder if maybe he said, "not on the balance"... meaning that it is not centered on the turntable, or balanced properly to reduce wear and energy required to rotate the table.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
I'd agree with "not on the balance" as the statement, and I've seen the movie. A lot of what was said was technically accurate but some odd wording and the special effects were pretty strange.
In the scene where they coupled to the runaway and were trying to brake, the air hoses could be clearly seen coupled between the runaway and the following locomotive.
But I have a different question about the particular SD40-2 used in the movie. It had non standard aluminium framed cab side windows. These gave a much better view of the crew from outside in the movie. Were these fitted for the movie or are these used on other units. What was the actual identity of the locomotive used in the movie?
M636C
Before wide cabs , these all weather windows were the norm. We had all of the Wisconsin Central engines equipped with identical windows.
As far as the movie dialogue, it was all BS on the turntable. They writers just wanted to show how much more experience Denzel's character had over Chris Pine.
Randy
I didn't bother with it. No steam.
Firelock76 I didn't bother with it. No steam.
No acting, either.
CSSHEGEWISCH Firelock76 I didn't bother with it. No steam. No acting, either.
Now, now, Denzel's a fine actor. Maybe "Unstoppable" wasn't one of his better efforts, but can you imagine if they had him chasing the runaway in Union Pacific's 844? Now THAT would have been a helluva action film!
The other guy in the film, Chris Pine, played Captain Kirk in that abomination of a "Star Trek" movie. I could care less about him.
Per Pat Paulsen:
we are allowed to say Ronald Reagan is a lousy actor...but we're not allowed to say he's a lousy governor...which is ridiculous...we know he's a good actor.
Patrick Boylan
Free yacht rides, 27' sailboat, zip code 19114 Delaware River, get great Delair bridge photos from the river. Send me a private message
Pat Paulsen, now there was a guy! During his so-called run for president he was asked what he would do about Viet Nam. He said, " I would take it to the United Nations and say, if you can't solve this, you have no reason to exist." Be nice if there was honesty like that in politics today. Not to change the subject.
I think what Denzel said was "you got the wrong end on the ballast"...meaning of course that Chris Pines had turned the locomotive 360 degrees instead of the 180.
23 17 46 11
54light15Pat Paulsen, now there was a guy!
"America, I've upped my standards. Now, up yours!"
What a way to finish a campaign address.
M636CBut I have a different question about the particular SD40-2 used in the movie. It had non standard aluminium framed cab side windows. These gave a much better view of the crew from outside in the movie. Were these fitted for the movie or are these used on other units. What was the actual identity of the locomotive used in the movie? M636C
Two units were used; W&LE 6353 was one, and I think 6354 was the other. These are the only units on the W&LE roster with these windows, so I do think they were retrofitted for the movie. The other SD40-2s were also W&LE units, some still in KCS base paint with the AWVR logos put on.
Say what you want about the movie, but the several paint schemes that the locomotives wore were very well done.
12:10 - "Turntable house goes on my end, you're on the ballast."
Also fascinating to hear about the 'engine blocks overheated' when the "brakes" stop working, but they later 'hit' the independent as hard as possible... after having supposedly made much about running 'in reverse' and being told to alternate 'full throttle' and dynamic brake (shouldn't it have been alternating application of independent and dynamic brake, to let each cool down periodically while the other goes to work?)
And was all that cell-phone use on the engine and when actively working a cut permissible in 2010? Yikes!
Finally saw it on TV. What a flight of fantasy.
I'd hate to have to haul a train in the opposite direction of 777 - as it would be uphill all the way.
Radios rules could get every person that said something on the radio fired.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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