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Although I am a big fan of UP and ATSF locos and model that on my layout, my favorite named train is the Orient Express - both beause of the train and the written: Every one of the suspects did it!). MTH's latest offering has caused the like I had to turn to lust -- I just have to have one, with a tiny bloodsplattered Richard Widmark dead in the sleeper car and Peter Ustinov confronting Lauren Becall and Sean Connery in the lounge car, etc.

However:
- I ordered the French 241A loco. I'm not sure that it ever pulled the Orient Express but it looks a lot better than the German locos available and I am a big admirer of the French engineer Chapelon.
- The MTH passenger cars are beautiful and worth the money, but at 21 inchs way too long for my layout -- I have 72" curves but cars that long look unnatural on my layout going around curves even that tight.
- So, what could I substitute that is no longer than 18" - and preferably around 15-16"? I can disassemble, repaint in the blue/gray livery of the OE, make or have some decals made, and install a nice interior, etc.

Right now, I'm looking atthe MTH Madison cars, maybe six would be good here. They look about right for the between the wars era, and are around 16" long.

Seeking comments, advice, or other options to consider.
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quote:
Originally posted by Arthur P. Bloom:
quote:
and Peter Ustinov confronting Lauren Bacall and Sean Connery in the lounge car.


David Suchet, actually.


"You are not accused...you are excused."

"He stabbed him...repeatedly, and without motive..."

My favorite quotes from my favorite movie.


I was thinking Albert Finney when I said Peter Ustinov - he did some other poirot movies but not Murder . . . I think.

I love David Suchet and have all his Poirot shows and movies on DVD including Murder on the Orient Express - he is very good in everything he I particularly like him as the terrorist in Executive Decision. Frankly, he caried his verison of Murder - no one in it was that great except him.

But the rest of the cast in the Finney verison of Murder makes it THE movie version of the book as far as I go. Richard Widmark is one of my favorite actors and he was awesome as the guy who deserved to die. Wendy Hiller was her very best ever as the aging Princess -- cutting off Lauren Bacall at the knees with her sarcasm in one scene: "I can think of no other reason why a man would be in your cabin." (than to use it to sneak next door to murder someone). And Sean Connery, etc. My favorite mystery. One of my favorite movies, too.

the LMS cars look good, by the way - thinking about them, too.
The recent 'PBS version' was a real disappointment -- filmed in Australia, with Australian railway equipment.

Ah, but the movie: Filmed with the full cooperation of SNCF, with 4-6-0 230G353 in the starring role, and a supporting cast of
Wagons-Lits 1283 [ baggage ], 4271 [ restaurant ], 3504 [ sleeper ] and 4163 [ Pullman ]. Were there actually people in that movie ?

Best, SZ
quote:
Originally posted by Steinzeit:
The recent 'PBS version' was a real disappointment -- filmed in Australia, with Australian railway equipment.

Ah, but the movie: Filmed with the full cooperation of SNCF, with 4-6-0 230G353 in the starring role, and a supporting cast of
Wagons-Lits 1283 [ baggage ], 4271 [ restaurant ], 3504 [ sleeper ] and 4163 [ Pullman ]. Were there actually people in that movie ?

Best, SZ
Steinzeit, filmed in Australia? I did not know, I will have to have a close look, thanks.
I like all the David Suchet Poirot shows but my favorite was Peter Ustinov in Death on the Nile. He did two others nearly as good.

The strange thing is that I "remember" Ustinov in Murder on the Orient Express, even though he never made that movie it: my memory has somehow swubstituted him for Finney in that movie.

I thought Suchet's Murder was okay and I didn't mind the scenery - Australia or wherever, it worked okay for me. I think the problem the producers have with the more recent Suchet movies is that he commands such a high salary now that he eats up all the show's budget and they can't get any other real top tier talent with what they have left: he gives a great performance but everyone else in the movie is just so-so. The great thing about the finney movie is that they had so many great stars in it.
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