Greatest Train Movies

So, a movie with a couple scenes of a train station and a GG1 at the end counts as one of the "greatest train movies?"

Sounds pretty dull compared to "Danger Lights". 

smd4 posted:

So, a movie with a couple scenes of a train station and a GG1 at the end counts as one of the "greatest train movies?"

I suppose so.  The Trains magazine had some turkeys listed that I wouldn't even bother to watch for free.

Joe Hohmann posted:

Sounds pretty dull compared to "Danger Lights". 

Danger Lights was a much better film than Murder In The Private Car, but look how much fun you can have critiquing these films.  If you have ever watched Mystery Theatre 3000 you'll know what I mean.

As for Bright Victory, the film was excellent, in my opinion.  It told a good story, albeit with only a cameo by the Pennsy.

I have to vote for "The Train" with Burt Lancaster.  The man did all his own stunts and did a fine job playing the WWII  part of a French manager who knew all aspects of the operation from yardmaster to mechanic to running a steam engine and outsmarting the Nazis while doing all those trades and even finding time for a little romance. Like any movie it's all make believe but for entertainment value this one is hard to top.

The best "railroading" movie has to be "Emperor of the North." I have no idea how the filmed the near-head-on sequence.

smd4 posted:

The best "railroading" movie has to be "Emperor of the North." I have no idea how the filmed the near-head-on sequence.

Planning, timing, multiple takes, editing and a spring switch.

Rusty

...haven't seen many "train" movies, but RUNAWAY TRAIN with Jon Voight is memorable to me when I was growing up - great story.

OC Patrick posted:

...haven't seen many "train" movies, but RUNAWAY TRAIN with Jon Voight is memorable to me when I was growing up - great story.

"great story"?????   That movie was an affront to all professional railroaders.

Hot Water posted:

OC Patrick posted:

...haven't seen many "train" movies, but RUNAWAY TRAIN with Jon Voight is memorable to me when I was growing up - great story.

"great story"?????   That movie was an affront to all professional railroaders.

I put "train" in quotes. As far as the story, it's subjective and like I said, it was memorable while I was growing up. By the way, both lead and supporting actors were nominated for the Academy Award that year for this movie.

Danger Lights.....

And the best train "comedy" is "Railroadin'" with the Little Rascals. Train action from start to finish.

From Hollywood for me its "The Train".

For movies about trains on celluloid its the dozens of documentaries and promotional films commissioned by the the railroads themselves.

One of my favorites is "This is My Railroad" by the Southern Pacific.

Pete

I like “Silver Streak” •  below is the official movie trailer.

This movie was released in 1976. While on a cross-country train ride, overworked book editor George Caldwell (Gene Wilder) begins an unexpected romance with an enigmatic woman named Hilly Burns (Jill Clayburgh). His vacation is interrupted, however, when he witnesses a murder for which he is then accused. The true villains kidnap Hilly and eject Caldwell from the moving train. Desperate, Caldwell teams up with car thief Grover Muldoon (Richard Pryor), and together they must save Hilly while avoiding the police.

It is now playing on: xfinity On Demand.

Gary

Just watched "The Seven-Ups," from 1974, which was on TCM over the weekend. While not a train movie, the climactic action takes place hard by Penn Central trackage in the Bronx, on Erskine Place. A couple GG-1s roll by, one in PC paint, one in Amtrak. And a TurboTrain goes by behind Roy Scheider.

Oh, and for fans of chase scenes, Bill Hickman, the driver of the car Steve McQueen was chasing in "Bullitt," is the lead driver in a chase in this movie. They cross the GWB to Jersey, and then, by magic, they're back on the other side of the Hudson, on the Taconic at the exit for Briarcliff Manor and Millwood.

David

Danger Lights is a good look at steam power in the 30s or 40s.   I understand it was filmed on the Milwaukee road.    Lots of good steam scenes that I remember, but it has been a long time.    The plot was very 30s and the acting very exaggerated as all movies were in those days.   

Another to add to the list is Breakheart Pass.    Filmed on a narrow gauge line.   

Ski Train or something like that. About a runaway mountain train coming down from a ski resort. Show on TV about 1972 ish. Only place I've seen it since is on YouTube. 

The Polar Express is one of the most memorable train movie I remember watching, I know it's new, but man is that movie good.

Berkshire posted:

The Polar Express is one of the most memorable train movie I remember watching, I know it's new, but man is that movie good.

Except,,,,,,,,,it isn't "real", i.e. it was mostly all computer generated.

Well, I see your point. But that movie is pretty good (Aside from the inaccuracies in identifying the locomotive at the beginning of the movie).

Another favorite of mine was, i think it was called Snow Piercer, But I'm not sure if it counts because the train was CGI

Surprised no ones mentioned Unstoppable. Silly at times but I enjoyed it

prrjim posted:

Danger Lights is a good look at steam power in the 30s or 40s.   I understand it was filmed on the Milwaukee road.    Lots of good steam scenes that I remember, but it has been a long time.    The plot was very 30s and the acting very exaggerated as all movies were in those days.   

Another to add to the list is Breakheart Pass.    Filmed on a narrow gauge line.   

Breakheart Pass was actually filmed on the standard gauge Camas Prairie RR with Great Western #75.

Both "Runaway Train" and "Polar Express" were entertaining movies...regardless if they were an "affront" or not "real" to some.  Good choices.  Matt

Once again...It Happened to Jane; also Kansas Pacific; Denver and Rio Grande; Union Pacific; etc.

Phil McCaig posted:

I have to vote for "The Train" with Burt Lancaster.  The man did all his own stunts and did a fine job playing the WWII  part of a French manager who knew all aspects of the operation from yardmaster to mechanic to running a steam engine and outsmarting the Nazis while doing all those trades and even finding time for a little romance. Like any movie it's all make believe but for entertainment value this one is hard to top.

I will set my vote for that one to.

mlavender480 posted:

prrjim posted:

Danger Lights is a good look at steam power in the 30s or 40s.   I understand it was filmed on the Milwaukee road.    Lots of good steam scenes that I remember, but it has been a long time.    The plot was very 30s and the acting very exaggerated as all movies were in those days.   

Another to add to the list is Breakheart Pass.    Filmed on a narrow gauge line.   

Breakheart Pass was actually filmed on the standard gauge Camas Prairie RR with Great Western #75.

I liked that movie very much.Only I noticed the locomotive was a lot bigger than your wood burning steam locomotive.But that is o.k. its still a great movie.

There are hit lists and there are best of lists and there are favorite lists.  So many great movies, tons of good ones, and a lot of turkeys too.  

Here's another list:  https://www.slashfilm.com/the-...probably-never-seen/

and another: https://www.americabyrail.com/...ies-of-All-Time.aspx

What about the recent "The Lone Ranger" movie starring Johnny Depthcharge and Arm & Hammer?  Those incredible film sequences of a couple of old 4-4-0 Americans EACH pulling a string of 24 or more 60' and 80' long baggage cars, combines, and coach cars through the mountains are just the absolute ultimate in realism  and believability , aren't they??? 

Mixed Freight posted:

What about the recent "The Lone Ranger" movie starring Johnny Depthcharge and Arm & Hammer?  Those incredible film sequences of a couple of old 4-4-0 Americans EACH pulling a string of 24 or more 60' and 80' long baggage cars, combines, and coach cars through the mountains are just the absolute ultimate in realism  and believability , aren't they??? 

For all wood mock-ups, yes.

Tough Guys was a great movie

I'm surprised no one has mentioned The Taking Of Pelham 123, 1974.  Remade in 2009.  I'm more familiar with the original release.  What I have seen of the newer version doesn't impress me, although the cast has fine actors.  

Mixed Freight posted:

What about the recent "The Lone Ranger" movie starring Johnny Depthcharge and Arm & Hammer?  Those incredible film sequences of a couple of old 4-4-0 Americans EACH pulling a string of 24 or more 60' and 80' long baggage cars, combines, and coach cars through the mountains are just the absolute ultimate in realism  and believability , aren't they??? 

A much better use of the real thing, models, CGI and a better story:

Rusty

Hot Water posted:

Berkshire posted:

The Polar Express is one of the most memorable train movie I remember watching, I know it's new, but man is that movie good.

Except,,,,,,,,,it isn't "real", i.e. it was mostly all computer generated.

Psst....most of these movies aren't "real" anyhow.   

The #1225 is a real loco. It is a movie. What are the "operating no no's" (besides ice skating in a Berk and such)

  Where does it seem like it might be correct, but really isnt; if it's just an operational rivet count?      Or if easier, were was it correct?

So many great movies mentioned but let me add...

The Great Train Robbery with Sean Connery & Donald Sutherland.

Murder On The Orient Express, the original.

Adriatic posted:

Psst....most of these movies aren't "real" anyhow.   

The #1225 is a real loco. It is a movie. What are the "operating no no's" (besides ice skating in a Berk and such)

  Where does it seem like it might be correct, but really isnt; if it's just an operational rivet count?      Or if easier, were was it correct?

 

I can't really understand what you're trying to say ("Operational rivet count?" "were was it correct??" Huh??), but...Polar Express is a CARTOON. I'd much rather see a train movie with a REAL TRAIN in it. You know, not computer generated?

smd4 posted:

Adriatic posted:

Psst....most of these movies aren't "real" anyhow.   

The #1225 is a real loco. It is a movie. What are the "operating no no's" (besides ice skating in a Berk and such)

  Where does it seem like it might be correct, but really isnt; if it's just an operational rivet count?      Or if easier, were was it correct?

 

I can't really understand what you're trying to say ("Operational rivet count?" "were was it correct??" Huh??), but...Polar Express is a CARTOON. I'd much rather see a train movie with a REAL TRAIN in it. You know, not computer generated?

Oh, I don't know.  Lemony Snicket had a pretty good CGI T1 in it, although I wouldn't classify it as a "train movie," greatest or otherwise:

There was another scene with the T1, but I can't find it on YouTube.

Rusty

I remember that scene vividly. One of my favorites. Also, I know the movie Hugo had a ton of scenes with trains in it, particularly one that mimicked the Montparnasse derailment. I will get a screencap of the movie and show you all that scene if I manage to get my hands on it.

There is also the great train wreck in the movie "The Greatest Show On Earth" starring the venerable James Stewart & Charlton Heston.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ITp_xSaxE

The Railroad portion of  "How the West Was Won"  was pretty good.

Steve