Great Train Movies

[Big_Boy_4005]

I almost hate to admit it, but until today, I had never seen The Train, with Burt Lancaster. Over the years, it seemed like I kept tuning into it near the end where he was setting the charge to blow the track.

This evening I finally caught it from the beginning, much better!!! Now I understand why so many train buffs like it so much. In spite of it being in black and white, I liked it too.[8D]

[Anonymous]

In my opinion: "Emperor of the North" No other railroad-specific (fictional) film I've seen even comes close.

[Anonymous]

When it comes to train movies, my favorites (in no particular order) are...

Silver Streak (1976): Certainly one of the most hilarious movies that you'll ever find! Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor and trains-it has it all!

The Train (1964): An excelent WWII movie. Burt Lancaster is great in this and it has some of the most amazing train scenes in any movie.

The Lady Vanishes (1938): This is a very entertaining mystery from Alfred Hitchcock starring Margaret Lockwood and Micheal Redgrave. Most of the movie takes place on a train. In actuality, no real trains were used for the movie, just sets, models and stock footage, but it isn't too obvious and that doesn't detract from this being a great film.

Those are my all-time favorites, but runners up would be Von Ryan's Express, The Great Locomotive Chase and The General.

[Anonymous]

First Choice.... is "Danger Lights" This is the very best movie for shots of the railroad scene circa 1930. Contains the only existing film of a dynamometer along with wonderful shots of steam engines and an amazing tug of war between steam locomotives at the Old Timers Picnic.

Exciting 100 MPH race to Chicago.with non-stop action, is perhaps the greatest old footage in existence today of the Milwaukee Road! Almost every scene has tremendous steam action with the mighty 4-6-2's, 4-6-4's and 2-8-2's. It’s a must for railroad fans.

The old-fashioned acting is quite different than that of effete modern Hollywood. This collectible railroad video classic, directed by George B. Seitz, is a great Hollywood feature film starring Louis Wolheim, Jean Arthur, Robert Armstrong and Hugh Herbert.

An in-depth review of this great railroading classic appeared in a past issue of Classic Trains.
BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[laz 57]

I have been trying to find the movie entitled "ya can't win em all", a movie about trains and bandits. Did anybody ever here of this one and where could I get a copy? Vintage 1950-60's
Laz 57

[yellowducky]

U.S.2:D.T has one of my votes.
Like I was told before election day, "vote early, vote often".

[Buckeye Riveter]

Well it is not exactly a movie, but National Geographics, "LOVE THOSE TRAINS" had been watched by me many times on video. [8D]

[garyseven]

North by Northwest.

[Anonymous]

bogaziddy,

Richard Pryor suffers from Multiple Sclerosis not the after-effects of drug use.

As for a good train movie - check out "Station Agent", I highly recommend it!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Has anyone ever seen It Happened to Jane? Doris Day and Jack Lemon, a little sappy, but the trains were the heart of the story. It looked like it was shot in the Northeast using old New Haven equipment. I only caught the second half on cable. Big Girl and I are on the lookout for it to see the whole thing.

Emporer of The North is one of my all time favorites, good and gritty.

Silver Streak is fun, but I have seen it so many times, I look for the railroading mistakes.

[Bob Keller]

Chartreuse Caboose - 1960 - Edgar Buchanan. Horrible as a "grown up" movie, but I was about 10 when I saw it and it was great from the Jr. Railfan perspective!

[Anonymous]

I have to go along with laz 57 and say that Emporer of the North is the best. Great action with fabulous railroading and a believable story. Saw a couple of the cars (stock car Lee Marvin set on fire for one) at a resturant and logging camp museum in OR. I just get wrapped up in it whenever I watch it. Second choice would be Breakheart Pass. Filmed on location in my home state. Those two films bring every thing together to make a great movie.

[daan]

In Holland we have "rail away". A daily half hour of trains around the globe. Yesterday was Canada, with silver heavyweights and two big sd40's in front.. Today was a bit of denmark but they have boring trains..
They make a trainride and show the trains and the touristic things along the stations they pass. I love this daily item!!

[bogaziddy]

Silver Streak with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. Lots of nice train shots and a riotously funny movie to boot.

It's a shame what has become of Pryor, he's, at best, a vegetable. If ever there were a better advertisement debunking recreational drug use, I sure can't think of one. If you think your children are contemplating drug use, tell them to take note. What's happened to him sure would scare me away from drugs.

[mersenne6]

The Train - Burt Lancaster
The Great Locomotive Chase
and
Toccata for Toy Trains

Would be my three all time favorites

[laz 57]

Now that the Polar Express is out how will it rank with the all time best train Movies? Lets here it out there what's your favorite train movie?
Mine is Emporer of the North with Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine made in 1973, saw it in the drive in along with Hard Times.
Laz 57