'24' & Trains

[eZAK]

In the TV show '24' yesturday there was a scene in the begining with a train wreck. The problem is they used an 'F' unit & streamlined passanger cars.[:0]

What gives here????[V]

You would think a great show like this could come up with an up to date engine!

One of those 'fast car movies' also did this last summer.[V]

[willpick]

If i'm not mistaken, the train in question appears to be the "American Orient Express" --- I may be wrong , but that's what I remember it looking like---

[Anonymous]

I didn't actually see the show, but I saw commercials advertising it and saw an image of the wreck with an F unit.

There are different reasons for not having an up-to-date train. First of all, to most people who make movies and TV shows (and those who watch them for that matter) a train is a train is a train. They could have used a 1930's Burlington Zephyr or an Amtrak Acela and it would make no difference to the average Joe.

Also, it is much easier for filmmakers to get access to trains on tourist railroads and railroad museums (where the equipment is older) than Class 1 railroads. Amtrak has a very busy schedule and isn't so willing to delay trains and halt service for the filming of a TV show. Class 1 railroads have been involved in the making of some movies, but these are big Hollywood productions and the companies making these movies can fork over big bucks to the railroads. TV shows have tighter budgets and need to be filmed in a much quicker time.

I do sympathize with you, though. I really wi***hat filmmakers would put some more effort into getting some technical accuracy when it comes to these things!

[Anonymous]

Will, you mentioned the American Orient Express.
I've seen the real train go by at work. About a month later, I saw the Union Pacific go by.
It seems there are a few luxury trains out there, at a price of $3,000- $5,000 for a ticket for the scenic tour.
The Union Pacific looks just like O scale version.
Dave

[Anonymous]

Most big movie productions do that, I believe that fast car movie is that motorcycle movie Torque. If you notice in the commercial as well, they use an older Pontiac Grand Prix stock car which is no longer in NASCAR.

[IRONROOSTER]

Unfortunately, when it comes to trains the producers don't have a clue. My favorite was a Civil War piece - I thinks it was Gods and Generals - and in one scene there is a train at a station in Virginia. The railroad name on the side of the engine is Virginia and Truckee. Hey! it says Virignia, must have run somewhere in the state.[:D][:D]
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I saw a commercial for that 1 lindsay lohan film that took place in New Jersey and you see a NJ Transit train in there