Best Railroad Movies (topic rehashed)

[rixflix]

Just acquired "The 39 Steps" by Alfred Hitchcock (pssst...Hitch loved trains!!!), one of his classic mistaken identity thrillers. Thrilling for train fans is the express train to Scotland shrieking through the night and making an emergency stop on the Forth Bridge where the hero / victim climbs off the train to make his escape.

Some Hitchcock films with railroad action:
THE 39 STEPS (1935)[tup]
NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)[tup]
STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)[tup]
NO. 17 (1932) thank you vsmith
There are at least two more. I've seen short clips of them in one of those "collect them all" things that they put in front of vhs features. Because of the way they fla***he clips and titles, it's hard to correlate the two.

"The Bridge on the River Kwai" is one of my all-time favorites. The construction and destruction of the bridge and it's conflict of wills between Niven, Holden and Jack Hawkins is gripping. You'll feel the tug-of-war too when the bridge and the locomotive are destroyed and the doctor character exclaims, "Madness!!!"[tup]

"East of Eden" is a Cain and Abel story featuring James Dean. He gets to hitch a freight train ride from Monterey to Salinas (?) and tries to implement his scheme to refrigerate
produce during shipment on what else but the Espy. All he wants is his father's love and dad is kinda stingy with that commodity.[tup]

"Stand by Me", even without the "all-time train dodge" is a wonderful film about four boys in their last days of boyhood. Men will be powerfully reminded of that time in their own lives. Beautifully shot against big Oregon scenery. The "Barf-a-rama" story will stick in your minds if not on everything else within hurl-shot. Buy this and you'll watch it many times.[tup]

I think the boss would like me to work now. Bon matin, kids.
Blessed be Jean Shepard in all His works.
Captain Video aka Rixflix

[traingeek087]

The train is by far the best. No special effects just real explosions and real action. Good story line too.

[traingeek087]

The train is by far the best. No special effects just real explosions and real action. Good story line too.

[The Block House]

I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT "THE TRAIN", "EMPEROR OF THE NORTH", AND "BREAKHART PASS" ARE ALL VERY GOOD RAILROAD MOVIES. MY NEIGHBOR LIKES "VON RYANS EXPRESS" WHICH I FIND A LITTLE OVER ACTED AND EXTRA CAMPIE.

[The Block House]

I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT "THE TRAIN", "EMPEROR OF THE NORTH", AND "BREAKHART PASS" ARE ALL VERY GOOD RAILROAD MOVIES. MY NEIGHBOR LIKES "VON RYANS EXPRESS" WHICH I FIND A LITTLE OVER ACTED AND EXTRA CAMPIE.

[jeremygharrison]

Some classic British railway films (as we would say) that I haven't seen mentioned:

Oh Mr Porter
The Lady Killers
The Railway Children
Brief Encounter
Night Mail

... all well worth watching in their own way.

Jeremy

[jeremygharrison]

Some classic British railway films (as we would say) that I haven't seen mentioned:

Oh Mr Porter
The Lady Killers
The Railway Children
Brief Encounter
Night Mail

... all well worth watching in their own way.

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Just a little note . . . FYI .

Pentrex is again having a close out sale on videos.

One of the videos available is Broadway Limited. It is selling for $7.95. This is cheaper than you can order it through Blockbuster.

So you fans of East Coast railroad take notice. It is a black and white movie, but it is suspose to be loaded with a lot of train scenes.

[Anonymous]

Just a little note . . . FYI .

Pentrex is again having a close out sale on videos.

One of the videos available is Broadway Limited. It is selling for $7.95. This is cheaper than you can order it through Blockbuster.

So you fans of East Coast railroad take notice. It is a black and white movie, but it is suspose to be loaded with a lot of train scenes.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut484

One of the best railroad movies is "Danger Lights." It features Milwaukee Rd operations during the 1930's. The best scene is when two steam engines try to push or shove each other back. Whistles sounding like battle cries and wheels spinning. It's kinda like a backwards version of tug-a-war. You certainly won't see something like that today being done with diesels!

you may have to spend more time around the roho, it's been done

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut484

One of the best railroad movies is "Danger Lights." It features Milwaukee Rd operations during the 1930's. The best scene is when two steam engines try to push or shove each other back. Whistles sounding like battle cries and wheels spinning. It's kinda like a backwards version of tug-a-war. You certainly won't see something like that today being done with diesels!

you may have to spend more time around the roho, it's been done

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut484

One of the best railroad movies is "Danger Lights." It features Milwaukee Rd operations during the 1930's. The best scene is when two steam engines try to push or shove each other back. Whistles sounding like battle cries and wheels spinning. It's kinda like a backwards version of tug-a-war. You certainly won't see something like that today being done with diesels!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut484

One of the best railroad movies is "Danger Lights." It features Milwaukee Rd operations during the 1930's. The best scene is when two steam engines try to push or shove each other back. Whistles sounding like battle cries and wheels spinning. It's kinda like a backwards version of tug-a-war. You certainly won't see something like that today being done with diesels!

[vsmith]

Are there any trains in trainspotting?

I just remember the "baby on the ceiling" scene and the "bedspread incident"..

and the best scene in the movie.. toilet diving (literally) to retrieve his drugs....

Oh man thats a wicked movie, have to rent it again now...

[vsmith]

Are there any trains in trainspotting?

I just remember the "baby on the ceiling" scene and the "bedspread incident"..

and the best scene in the movie.. toilet diving (literally) to retrieve his drugs....

Oh man thats a wicked movie, have to rent it again now...

[cypriano]

No one has mentioned "Trainspotting."

[cypriano]

No one has mentioned "Trainspotting."

[rixflix]

Yep, Zhivago is a great film in many respects and it's train scenes are pretty unforgetable. Strelnikov's armored train roaring past, flags flying, on some ominous mission is cool!
So is the scene when the passengers open the door to reveal a solid sheet of ice which
they then have to break with a shovel to throw their own manure out. . Did a whistle ever sound so shrill or did steam ever look so good as they do here in the thin, frigid air of the vast steppes? (actually Finland)
Wow!!! [tup]

[rixflix]

Yep, Zhivago is a great film in many respects and it's train scenes are pretty unforgetable. Strelnikov's armored train roaring past, flags flying, on some ominous mission is cool!
So is the scene when the passengers open the door to reveal a solid sheet of ice which
they then have to break with a shovel to throw their own manure out. . Did a whistle ever sound so shrill or did steam ever look so good as they do here in the thin, frigid air of the vast steppes? (actually Finland)
Wow!!! [tup]

[Anonymous]

If you want a railroad movie that will have you rolling on the floor watch Buster Keaton " The Railrodder". Buster is standing on the London Bridge reading a paper about the opportunities avaiable "out west" ( Canada) casually folds the paper stands up on the railing and jumps in the river and starts swimming...next scene he is climbing out of the Atlantic ocean and walks up to an active single track RR (CNRR I think) and climbs aboard an idling Fairmont putt-putt inspection car and takes off on his way to the west coast. It's B&W but worth every penny. There is also a documentary of how the made The Railrodder called "Buster Keaton Ride's Again", that's just as hilarious as the main film.


Jim

[Anonymous]

If you want a railroad movie that will have you rolling on the floor watch Buster Keaton " The Railrodder". Buster is standing on the London Bridge reading a paper about the opportunities avaiable "out west" ( Canada) casually folds the paper stands up on the railing and jumps in the river and starts swimming...next scene he is climbing out of the Atlantic ocean and walks up to an active single track RR (CNRR I think) and climbs aboard an idling Fairmont putt-putt inspection car and takes off on his way to the west coast. It's B&W but worth every penny. There is also a documentary of how the made The Railrodder called "Buster Keaton Ride's Again", that's just as hilarious as the main film.


Jim

[cypriano]

I enjoyed the train scenes in "Greatest Show on Earth." Not mentioned yet was another non-train movie with a great movie scene: "Dr. Zhivago" I understand the train scene were filmed in Northern Finland.

[cypriano]

I enjoyed the train scenes in "Greatest Show on Earth." Not mentioned yet was another non-train movie with a great movie scene: "Dr. Zhivago" I understand the train scene were filmed in Northern Finland.

[ironhorseman]

WOW, it's up to 7 pages now. Did anybody mention yet "The Greatest Show on Earth," 1952, Charlton Hesston? It's the movie about the Ringling Bros and their circus train and stuff. Never saw the whole thing, but seen parts of it. I was reminded of it when I read the article in the March 2004 issue of trains.

[ironhorseman]

WOW, it's up to 7 pages now. Did anybody mention yet "The Greatest Show on Earth," 1952, Charlton Hesston? It's the movie about the Ringling Bros and their circus train and stuff. Never saw the whole thing, but seen parts of it. I was reminded of it when I read the article in the March 2004 issue of trains.

[Anonymous]

This isn't a railroad movie but it did have a crash scene in it- The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford. The railroad scene was filmed near Dillsboro, North Carolina on The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, a tourist railroad that also does some switching chores for a couple of small industries on the former Murphy Branch of the Southern Railroad. The movie set ( two locomotives and a bus ) is still there.

[Anonymous]

This isn't a railroad movie but it did have a crash scene in it- The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford. The railroad scene was filmed near Dillsboro, North Carolina on The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, a tourist railroad that also does some switching chores for a couple of small industries on the former Murphy Branch of the Southern Railroad. The movie set ( two locomotives and a bus ) is still there.

[cherokee woman]

Has anyone seen "Derailed"? We saw it the other day. [tdn]

Granted the name of the movie is "Derailed"; it has trains and plenty of violence.
Now tell me why the movie was called "derailed"[?] Or was it the plot[?]

Either way, in my opinion, the movie STUNK[tdn]

[cherokee woman]

Has anyone seen "Derailed"? We saw it the other day. [tdn]

Granted the name of the movie is "Derailed"; it has trains and plenty of violence.
Now tell me why the movie was called "derailed"[?] Or was it the plot[?]

Either way, in my opinion, the movie STUNK[tdn]

[rixflix]

Hiya gang from captain video aka rixflix
I've been filling in my railroad vhs collection lately and it's been an adventure!!! Having
good luck with Amazon new/used and Railroad Video Productions. Amazon is pretty
crazy though. My last order of 13 films came from 11 different sellers, cost mostly between 2 and 10 dollars each and total freight was about 45 dollars.
Some of these flicks give good movie but bad or minimal train.
Some give bad movie with good train.
Some are beginning to end awful.
Some are plain marvelous.
I think you will like a couple of these, though.

LA BETE HUMAINE (The Human Beast) directed by the legendary Jean Renoir is a
beautifully shot, disturbing story of a French engineman's life on and off the rails. Can a
violent temperament be inherited?
I am here to tell you that the French can railroad!!! The opening sequence shot from the steam locomotive's cab of the LeHavre express, at speed, over impeccable right-of way
will put mist in your eyes. Very atmospheric railroad scenery features LeHavre (ocean pier?) terminal,
engine and coach yards, yard office, dormitory and of course STEAM.
This one has joined the films I'm wearing out, like "The Train", "Emperor of the North", and
"Danger Lights". [tup]

OUR HOSPITALITY usually comes with "Sherlock Jr." in VHS. This Buster Keaton film is
sooooo funny!!! Buster heads south from New York in 1830 to claim his inheritance but
doesn't know he is the last member of a family nearly extinguished by another in a feud
Well the pretty passenger he's falling for is from that other family and complications
ensue.
The "steam cars" is a train with those old stagecoach on flanged wheels affairs that goes so slow that Buster's dog follows him all the way to Tennesee or wherever by
running along under the last coach. In one scene: (a)hillbilly throws rocks at engineer
(b)engineer throws firewood at hillbilly (c)hillbilly saves himself some log splitting
Meanwhile the track gets worse and worse and the track gags get better and better.
Rails hump up over large logs and the train goes over like a dinghy over a wave. Where
the tracks are zig-zagged in a short distance, the engineer nonchalantly pulls them into
a sort of alignment like they were toy train tracks. There are numerous other delights in
this film, a perfect companion to the classic "The General ". [tup]

TOUGH GUYS has Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas as new ex-cons trying to adapt to
a society they've been away from for thirty years because they robbed The Flyer. They
don't do well in the retirement home and ice cream stand respectively, and decide to try
another train heist. It's the last run of the Flyer and daylight engine 4449. Sadly though,
4449 gets only a little play at the end of the flick. While it's never bad seeing and hearing
these two actors, this movie has a sort of half-hearted made-for-tv feel to it. Ya know what I mean vern? [tdn]

SOME REALLY BAD MOVIES WITH (HOWEVER MANY)TRAINS IN THEM:[tdn]
THE BILLION DOLLAR HOBO:tim conway...need i say more?
BROADWAY LIMITED:die hard pennsy fans can glimpse steam. can you follow the plot?
END OF THE LINE:geep is ok rolling through endless waves of cliche and absurd plot.
THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS:a little prsl and septa action and nicholson is ok
PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION:not all jackie gleason films are good. minimal trains.
FROM THE TERRACE:i'm from reading+2124's in this'un+o'haras good short bad long.

Even drunk I can still spell and parse heeheeeeeee!!! No kidding, in catholic grade school i never lost a spelling bee. By 4th grade they would send me up against the 8th
graders and i'd clean their clocks!!! The boys would cheer me on because these affairs
would always come down to me and a few girls. And then just me. Lousy prizes though,
like statues of Jesus or Mary and scapulars. Remember scapulars? A picture of Christ
on an itchy cloth patch on a string that you put around your neck. Under your t-shirt and
over your heart. I put mine in the darkest spot in my bureau so Jesus wouldn't see me
playing with myself.

Blessed be Jean Shepard in all his Works!!!
And also Long John Nebel and John Gambling and all the WOR crew from the 50's and
60's. Remember this:"When everything is done and served, the grackle is a noble bird."

See ya later people
Captain Video aka Rixflix