Best Railroad Movies (topic rehashed)

[AztecEagle]

Also,There Was An Episode of "King of the Hill"Involving Trains.I Forgert The Title of the Episode,But It Involved Hank's Truck Constantly Breaking Down Him.There's A Scene Where The Truck Stalls On A RRXing.hank Gets Out To Work On It,When he Hears A train Whistle in The Distance.he Tells Bobby"QUIT MAKING TRAIN NOISESBOBBY!!!".Bobby tells Him "It's Not me dad!!There Really Is A Train Coming!!".Hank Tries To Start It One More Time,But He Quickly Abandons The Truck at The Last Possible Second.A Freight Powered By What Looks Like An F40 Plows Into The Truck!!in The Next Scene Hank Yells "BOBBY,YOU KILLED MY TRUCK!!!".

[AztecEagle]

Also,There Was An Episode of "King of the Hill"Involving Trains.I Forgert The Title of the Episode,But It Involved Hank's Truck Constantly Breaking Down Him.There's A Scene Where The Truck Stalls On A RRXing.hank Gets Out To Work On It,When he Hears A train Whistle in The Distance.he Tells Bobby"QUIT MAKING TRAIN NOISESBOBBY!!!".Bobby tells Him "It's Not me dad!!There Really Is A Train Coming!!".Hank Tries To Start It One More Time,But He Quickly Abandons The Truck at The Last Possible Second.A Freight Powered By What Looks Like An F40 Plows Into The Truck!!in The Next Scene Hank Yells "BOBBY,YOU KILLED MY TRUCK!!!".

[AztecEagle]

Don't Forget About 1995's Official Sequel to "Lonesome Dove":"Larry McMurtry's'Streets of Laredo'".*(*If Your'e A Larry McMurtry Purist Like Me,"Streets of Laredo"Is The Official sequel.not 1993's"Return to Lonesome Dove".)James Garner is ex Texas Ranger Woodrow Call.He's been Called Out Of Retirment By The Railroad To Track Down Train Robber and Murderer Joey Cruz(Alexis Vega.).he Gets Stuck with Nerdy Eatern Bookkeeper Ned Brookshire(Charles Martin Smith.).Very Good Performances by An All Star Cast(Garner;Sissy Spacek;Randy Quaid;Ned Beatty;Sonia Braga;sam Shepard.),Plus The Real Stars of The Movie The Texas State Railroad's Former T&P ten Wheeler and ex Santa Fe Combine and Business Car and Steam Era Freight Equipment Chugging Along The Former South Orient/Current Texas Pacifico Trackage Between Alpine,Marfa and Presidio,Texas.

[AztecEagle]

Don't Forget About 1995's Official Sequel to "Lonesome Dove":"Larry McMurtry's'Streets of Laredo'".*(*If Your'e A Larry McMurtry Purist Like Me,"Streets of Laredo"Is The Official sequel.not 1993's"Return to Lonesome Dove".)James Garner is ex Texas Ranger Woodrow Call.He's been Called Out Of Retirment By The Railroad To Track Down Train Robber and Murderer Joey Cruz(Alexis Vega.).he Gets Stuck with Nerdy Eatern Bookkeeper Ned Brookshire(Charles Martin Smith.).Very Good Performances by An All Star Cast(Garner;Sissy Spacek;Randy Quaid;Ned Beatty;Sonia Braga;sam Shepard.),Plus The Real Stars of The Movie The Texas State Railroad's Former T&P ten Wheeler and ex Santa Fe Combine and Business Car and Steam Era Freight Equipment Chugging Along The Former South Orient/Current Texas Pacifico Trackage Between Alpine,Marfa and Presidio,Texas.

[Ak_Gandy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by azfoamer

I know Runaway Train gets mixed reviews from railfans but I think it's one of the best. Love the winter railroading scenes in Alaska.

The main problem with that movie to me is the premise that the bridge would fail with the loco running at that speed. Trust me, it wouldn't. [;)]

A little insider story;

The director wanted a good shot approaching the door to the tunnel (which is right next to the supposedly weak bridge) while the door was closed, so he instructs the hy-rail operator to make a run at it and then slam the brakes on at the last minute.

Being a good safe railroader, Ron of course puts the brakes on well ahead of any collision with the door. After about three times of doing this, the director (sitting in the Jeep) is getting a little peeved because it is not real dramatic.

Finally the director says, "Don't put the brakes on until I tell you to."

So here they are approaching the door at about 25 mph. Ron is waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the director to say "brake." When the director finally says it, Ron knows they're gonna hit the door. The reason he knows is; 1. It is winter and the rail is slick. 2. There is a slight downgrade going across the bridge to the door (as a number of motor car operators over the years can attest).

So anyway......they of course don't stop (Ron doesn't even think they slowed down that much) before they hit the massive steel doors that were designed for hurricane force winds that can blow off of Portage glacier.

Knowing the $20,000 camera that is mounted on the front bumper is now destroyed, Ron is thinking that he's in deep doo-doo now. After the impact he turns to the director to see what is going to happen to him.

What he sees is the director bouncing up and down in his seat like a little kid yelling..........................."That's a take! That's a take!"

Those movie folks sure do have a lot of money. [:D]

[Ak_Gandy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by azfoamer

I know Runaway Train gets mixed reviews from railfans but I think it's one of the best. Love the winter railroading scenes in Alaska.

The main problem with that movie to me is the premise that the bridge would fail with the loco running at that speed. Trust me, it wouldn't. [;)]

A little insider story;

The director wanted a good shot approaching the door to the tunnel (which is right next to the supposedly weak bridge) while the door was closed, so he instructs the hy-rail operator to make a run at it and then slam the brakes on at the last minute.

Being a good safe railroader, Ron of course puts the brakes on well ahead of any collision with the door. After about three times of doing this, the director (sitting in the Jeep) is getting a little peeved because it is not real dramatic.

Finally the director says, "Don't put the brakes on until I tell you to."

So here they are approaching the door at about 25 mph. Ron is waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the director to say "brake." When the director finally says it, Ron knows they're gonna hit the door. The reason he knows is; 1. It is winter and the rail is slick. 2. There is a slight downgrade going across the bridge to the door (as a number of motor car operators over the years can attest).

So anyway......they of course don't stop (Ron doesn't even think they slowed down that much) before they hit the massive steel doors that were designed for hurricane force winds that can blow off of Portage glacier.

Knowing the $20,000 camera that is mounted on the front bumper is now destroyed, Ron is thinking that he's in deep doo-doo now. After the impact he turns to the director to see what is going to happen to him.

What he sees is the director bouncing up and down in his seat like a little kid yelling..........................."That's a take! That's a take!"

Those movie folks sure do have a lot of money. [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ak_Gandy

QUOTE: Originally posted by azfoamer

I know Runaway Train gets mixed reviews from railfans but I think it's one of the best. Love the winter railroading scenes in Alaska.

The main problem with that movie to me is the premise that the bridge would fail with the loco running at that speed. Trust me, it wouldn't. [;)]

A little insider story;

The director wanted a good shot approaching the door to the tunnel (which is right next to the supposedly weak bridge) while the door was closed, so he instructs the hy-rail operator to make a run at it and then slam the brakes on at the last minute.

Being a good safe railroader, Ron of course puts the brakes on well ahead of any collision with the door. After about three times of doing this, the director (sitting in the Jeep) is getting a little peeved because it is not real dramatic.

Finally the director says, "Don't put the brakes on until I tell you to."

So here they are approaching the door at about 25 mph. Ron is waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the director to say "brake." When the director finally says it, Ron knows they're gonna hit the door. The reason he knows is; 1. It is winter and the rail is slick. 2. There is a slight downgrade going across the bridge to the door (as a number of motor car operators over the years can attest).

So anyway......they of course don't stop (Ron doesn't even think they slowed down that much) before they hit the massive steel doors that were designed for hurricane force winds that can blow off of Portage glacier.

Knowing the $20,000 camera that is mounted on the front bumper is now destroyed, Ron is thinking that he's in deep doo-doo now. After the impact he turns to the director to see what is going to happen to him.

What he sees is the director bouncing up and down in his seat like a little kid yelling..........................."That's a take! That's a take!"

Those movie folks sure do have a lot of money. [:D]

Now that is an interesting story.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ak_Gandy

QUOTE: Originally posted by azfoamer

I know Runaway Train gets mixed reviews from railfans but I think it's one of the best. Love the winter railroading scenes in Alaska.

The main problem with that movie to me is the premise that the bridge would fail with the loco running at that speed. Trust me, it wouldn't. [;)]

A little insider story;

The director wanted a good shot approaching the door to the tunnel (which is right next to the supposedly weak bridge) while the door was closed, so he instructs the hy-rail operator to make a run at it and then slam the brakes on at the last minute.

Being a good safe railroader, Ron of course puts the brakes on well ahead of any collision with the door. After about three times of doing this, the director (sitting in the Jeep) is getting a little peeved because it is not real dramatic.

Finally the director says, "Don't put the brakes on until I tell you to."

So here they are approaching the door at about 25 mph. Ron is waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the director to say "brake." When the director finally says it, Ron knows they're gonna hit the door. The reason he knows is; 1. It is winter and the rail is slick. 2. There is a slight downgrade going across the bridge to the door (as a number of motor car operators over the years can attest).

So anyway......they of course don't stop (Ron doesn't even think they slowed down that much) before they hit the massive steel doors that were designed for hurricane force winds that can blow off of Portage glacier.

Knowing the $20,000 camera that is mounted on the front bumper is now destroyed, Ron is thinking that he's in deep doo-doo now. After the impact he turns to the director to see what is going to happen to him.

What he sees is the director bouncing up and down in his seat like a little kid yelling..........................."That's a take! That's a take!"

Those movie folks sure do have a lot of money. [:D]

Now that is an interesting story.

[AztecEagle]

Three Westerns by The Late John Sturges Stand Out:#1:"Last Train From Gun Hill".Sherriff Kirk Douglas Catches The Train To Gun Hill To Arrest Earl Holliman For Raping and Murdering His Indian Wife.The Problem Is He's The Son of Town Boss Anthony Quinn,Who Was A Very Good Friend Of Kirk Douglas.Good Scenes of A 4-4-0 and Two Wooden Passenger Cars.Sierra RR Perhaps?#2:"The Magnificient Seven".Scene At A Cattle Pen Where A Cowboy Goads James Coburn Into A Fight.Coburn Throws A Knife At The Other Guy Before He Can Fire His Gun.Good Glimpse of NdeM Cattle Cars and Steamer.#3:"Hour of the Gun".Story Of Wyatt Earp's Later Years.With James Garner As Wyatt Earp and Jason Robards As 'Doc'Holliday.Scenes of NdeM Equipment Painted For Southern Pacific.Two John Wayne Pics Stand Out Also:"Sons of Katie Elder".Great Opening Scenes of D&RGW Narrow Gauge Steam Train In A Canyon,Plus A Station Scene Where The Other Elder Brothers Are Waiting For Their Older Brother Tom Elder.(John Wayne.).The Passenger Train Arriving At The Station Is An NdeM Steam Train."The Horse Soldiers".Fact Based Film About A Union Raid Into Mississippi During The Civil War.Scene Where Train Enters Town With Confederate Troops Hiding In Boxcars.

[AztecEagle]

Three Westerns by The Late John Sturges Stand Out:#1:"Last Train From Gun Hill".Sherriff Kirk Douglas Catches The Train To Gun Hill To Arrest Earl Holliman For Raping and Murdering His Indian Wife.The Problem Is He's The Son of Town Boss Anthony Quinn,Who Was A Very Good Friend Of Kirk Douglas.Good Scenes of A 4-4-0 and Two Wooden Passenger Cars.Sierra RR Perhaps?#2:"The Magnificient Seven".Scene At A Cattle Pen Where A Cowboy Goads James Coburn Into A Fight.Coburn Throws A Knife At The Other Guy Before He Can Fire His Gun.Good Glimpse of NdeM Cattle Cars and Steamer.#3:"Hour of the Gun".Story Of Wyatt Earp's Later Years.With James Garner As Wyatt Earp and Jason Robards As 'Doc'Holliday.Scenes of NdeM Equipment Painted For Southern Pacific.Two John Wayne Pics Stand Out Also:"Sons of Katie Elder".Great Opening Scenes of D&RGW Narrow Gauge Steam Train In A Canyon,Plus A Station Scene Where The Other Elder Brothers Are Waiting For Their Older Brother Tom Elder.(John Wayne.).The Passenger Train Arriving At The Station Is An NdeM Steam Train."The Horse Soldiers".Fact Based Film About A Union Raid Into Mississippi During The Civil War.Scene Where Train Enters Town With Confederate Troops Hiding In Boxcars.

[AztecEagle]

How About Fox's Two Popular Animated Sitcoms "King of the Hill"and "The Simpsons"?In An Episode of KOTH,Hank's Truck Broke Down On The Tracks.Hank Gets Out To Fix It.In The Distance He Hears A Train Coming.He Tells Bobby,"Bobby,Quit Making Train Noises!!It's Not Funny!!".He Tells His Dad,"I'm Not Making Train Noises Dad!!There Really Is A Train Coming!!".Hank Tries To Start The Truck,But Abandons It At The Last Possible Second.A Freight Powered By What Looks Like An F40 Hits The Truck.In The Next Scene,Hank Yells At Bobby"BOBBY,YOU KILLED MY TRUCK!!!".On "The Simpsons",There Was An Episode Where Homer Decides To Build Bart A Treehouse.They Go To A Stretch Of Track On The Outskirts of Town And Start Removing Ties When Suddenly A Train Appears In The Distance(Pulled By FUnits In ATSF Warbonnet Livery No Less!!).It Immediately Jumps The Track;Does A Circle In Mid Air And Lands Right Side Up And Goes On It's Way!!

[AztecEagle]

How About Fox's Two Popular Animated Sitcoms "King of the Hill"and "The Simpsons"?In An Episode of KOTH,Hank's Truck Broke Down On The Tracks.Hank Gets Out To Fix It.In The Distance He Hears A Train Coming.He Tells Bobby,"Bobby,Quit Making Train Noises!!It's Not Funny!!".He Tells His Dad,"I'm Not Making Train Noises Dad!!There Really Is A Train Coming!!".Hank Tries To Start The Truck,But Abandons It At The Last Possible Second.A Freight Powered By What Looks Like An F40 Hits The Truck.In The Next Scene,Hank Yells At Bobby"BOBBY,YOU KILLED MY TRUCK!!!".On "The Simpsons",There Was An Episode Where Homer Decides To Build Bart A Treehouse.They Go To A Stretch Of Track On The Outskirts of Town And Start Removing Ties When Suddenly A Train Appears In The Distance(Pulled By FUnits In ATSF Warbonnet Livery No Less!!).It Immediately Jumps The Track;Does A Circle In Mid Air And Lands Right Side Up And Goes On It's Way!!

[ChuckCobleigh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by azfoamer



Those movie folks sure do have a lot of money. [:D]

About 30 years ago, in a previous life, I worked in a TV post-production house in Hollyweird. Those of us in the trenches all felt the following:

In Hollywood, there's more money than talent/brains/scruples.

I don't think things have changed.

[ChuckCobleigh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by azfoamer



Those movie folks sure do have a lot of money. [:D]

About 30 years ago, in a previous life, I worked in a TV post-production house in Hollyweird. Those of us in the trenches all felt the following:

In Hollywood, there's more money than talent/brains/scruples.

I don't think things have changed.

[Anonymous]

Pentrex has a special on an Amtrak video if anyone is interested.


I have an Antrak video called, AMERICA by Rail Route of the Southwest Chief. Even though it really is not a movie it is worth watching. I pull it out every now and then and watch it. It really is interesting. Plus they take some side trips to places of interest along the way. All in all, it is worth the money to buy it, and worth the time to watch (again and again) it. [:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Pentrex has a special on an Amtrak video if anyone is interested.


I have an Antrak video called, AMERICA by Rail Route of the Southwest Chief. Even though it really is not a movie it is worth watching. I pull it out every now and then and watch it. It really is interesting. Plus they take some side trips to places of interest along the way. All in all, it is worth the money to buy it, and worth the time to watch (again and again) it. [:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Into the 90's The Grand Trunk Western, all Local lines[:)]

[Anonymous]

Into the 90's The Grand Trunk Western, all Local lines[:)]

[AztecEagle]

Here's A Few More:"Unforgiven".Clint Eastwood's Oscar Winning Western From 1992.Great Scene of an 1880's Era Passenger Train.In One Scene Dime Novelist W.M.Beauchamp and Hired Gunslinger "English Bob"(Richard Harris)Go Onto An Open Air Platform Car And Start Shooting Pheasants With Colt Single Action Revolvers."Joe Kidd".Overlooked Clint Eastwod Western From The Early 70's.Great Scene Where Clint Climbs Into The Cab of A Steam Locomotive,Drives It Through The Siding and Into The Wall Of A Saloon.Clint Quickly Dispatches A Couple of Baddies;Walks To The Bar and Has A Beer And A Sandwich."The Mummy Returns".Sequel To 1999's"The Mummy'.Great Scenes Of A 20's Era Egyptian Railways Passenger Train."The Jewel of the Nile.".Sequel To "Romancing the Stone".Great Scenes On A Morrocan Railways Mixed Train."Pearl Harbor".Jerry Bruckheimer's Saga Of Love and War From 201.Scenes of A Espee 4-6-2 Pulling A Passenger Train Over Museum Trackage,Plus A Couple Of Scenes In A Station With What Looks Either a UP 4-6-6-4 or4-8-8-4.Can't Tell as The Scene's Rather Dark,Plus Very Poignant of Ben Affleck In A Passenger Train Leaving LAUPT As Kate Beckinsale Tries To Say Goodbye To Him On The Platform."The Fast andthe Furious".Pretty Good Flick About Street Racers and an Undercover Cop.(Paul Walker).Great Scene Where Paul Walker Narrowly Misses Being Hit By A Train Pulled By A Former D&RGW GP40.Availibity:"The Fast and the Furious";"The Mummy Returns";"Joe Kidd"-Universal Home Video."Unforgiven"-Warner Home Video;"Pearl Harbor"-Touchstone Home Video.

[AztecEagle]

Here's A Few More:"Unforgiven".Clint Eastwood's Oscar Winning Western From 1992.Great Scene of an 1880's Era Passenger Train.In One Scene Dime Novelist W.M.Beauchamp and Hired Gunslinger "English Bob"(Richard Harris)Go Onto An Open Air Platform Car And Start Shooting Pheasants With Colt Single Action Revolvers."Joe Kidd".Overlooked Clint Eastwod Western From The Early 70's.Great Scene Where Clint Climbs Into The Cab of A Steam Locomotive,Drives It Through The Siding and Into The Wall Of A Saloon.Clint Quickly Dispatches A Couple of Baddies;Walks To The Bar and Has A Beer And A Sandwich."The Mummy Returns".Sequel To 1999's"The Mummy'.Great Scenes Of A 20's Era Egyptian Railways Passenger Train."The Jewel of the Nile.".Sequel To "Romancing the Stone".Great Scenes On A Morrocan Railways Mixed Train."Pearl Harbor".Jerry Bruckheimer's Saga Of Love and War From 201.Scenes of A Espee 4-6-2 Pulling A Passenger Train Over Museum Trackage,Plus A Couple Of Scenes In A Station With What Looks Either a UP 4-6-6-4 or4-8-8-4.Can't Tell as The Scene's Rather Dark,Plus Very Poignant of Ben Affleck In A Passenger Train Leaving LAUPT As Kate Beckinsale Tries To Say Goodbye To Him On The Platform."The Fast andthe Furious".Pretty Good Flick About Street Racers and an Undercover Cop.(Paul Walker).Great Scene Where Paul Walker Narrowly Misses Being Hit By A Train Pulled By A Former D&RGW GP40.Availibity:"The Fast and the Furious";"The Mummy Returns";"Joe Kidd"-Universal Home Video."Unforgiven"-Warner Home Video;"Pearl Harbor"-Touchstone Home Video.

[AztecEagle]

It All Depends.Sometimes They'll Show Modern Equipment.Sometimes They Show Not So New Equipment.Depending On The Storyline,Most TV Shows'll Have The Right Equipment.TV News Stories,It Varies.Sometimes Thety'll Show A Pitcure of A New EMD or GE Loco For A Story About A Train Wreck.Other Times They'll Show 50's Era Equipment(ie:Alcos,EMD FUnits.).

[AztecEagle]

It All Depends.Sometimes They'll Show Modern Equipment.Sometimes They Show Not So New Equipment.Depending On The Storyline,Most TV Shows'll Have The Right Equipment.TV News Stories,It Varies.Sometimes Thety'll Show A Pitcure of A New EMD or GE Loco For A Story About A Train Wreck.Other Times They'll Show 50's Era Equipment(ie:Alcos,EMD FUnits.).

[Tulyar15]

Two old British classics - "Oh Mr. Porter" starring Will Hay and "The Ghost Train" starring Arthur Askey. Two greart British comic actors at their best.

[Tulyar15]

Two old British classics - "Oh Mr. Porter" starring Will Hay and "The Ghost Train" starring Arthur Askey. Two greart British comic actors at their best.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tulyar15

Two old British classics - "Oh Mr. Porter" starring Will Hay and "The Ghost Train" starring Arthur Askey. Two greart British comic actors at their best.

Someone tell us about The Ghost Train I have never seen it?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tulyar15

Two old British classics - "Oh Mr. Porter" starring Will Hay and "The Ghost Train" starring Arthur Askey. Two greart British comic actors at their best.

Someone tell us about The Ghost Train I have never seen it?

[ZephyrOverland]

For those who are interested, there is a book available called "Parallel Tracks: The Railroad and Silent Cinema" by Lynne Kirby. This books deals with the relationships between cinema and railroads during the silent era, and how each contributed to the others attractiveness to the public. It is availabie through Amazon.

Also, a few years back, the Museum of Modern Art in New York had a retrospective of railroads and film. They published a companion booklet for this event, but I am not sure if it is still available. I recalled seeing it in their bookstore a few years back, before the museum had a major renovation.

[ZephyrOverland]

For those who are interested, there is a book available called "Parallel Tracks: The Railroad and Silent Cinema" by Lynne Kirby. This books deals with the relationships between cinema and railroads during the silent era, and how each contributed to the others attractiveness to the public. It is availabie through Amazon.

Also, a few years back, the Museum of Modern Art in New York had a retrospective of railroads and film. They published a companion booklet for this event, but I am not sure if it is still available. I recalled seeing it in their bookstore a few years back, before the museum had a major renovation.

[Anonymous]

Someone mentioned model train layouts... the funniest scene I saw concerning model trains was in "The Addams Family"..."Don't bother your father, he's upstairs playing with his trains..." as Gomez deliberately runs his Lionel Pennsy GP road switcher into his Lionel Hudson...
Wish I had his sound system... and the gumption to go for that kind of emotional release.

Erik

[Anonymous]

Someone mentioned model train layouts... the funniest scene I saw concerning model trains was in "The Addams Family"..."Don't bother your father, he's upstairs playing with his trains..." as Gomez deliberately runs his Lionel Pennsy GP road switcher into his Lionel Hudson...
Wish I had his sound system... and the gumption to go for that kind of emotional release.

Erik