Train movies that inspire our layouts.

"The Train" is probably the best.  Another French railroad movie that is extremely interesting is "Le Bete Humaine". It's from 1938 and is essentially a human emotions story set amongst the backdrop of a gritty railroad environment.  it has many long scenes shot from the cabs of various steam engines including one where the tender's water scoop is dropped into the mid-track water supply. It was re-made in the 50s with Glen Ford and Broderick Crawford but with diesel operation as the backdrop.  

 

"Von Ryan's Express' 1965 (I think) with Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard, sort of fits this category, combining train operations and a WWII prison camp escape film. 

After seeing Under Siege 2 with Steven Segal (what a bad movie) I wanted to blow my trains up in a firery crash.  Luckily I knew better and only carefully placed the trains on their sides next to the track so I could have my crane car come to the rescue

When I think of movies and trains its, Dr Zhivago, Buster Keaton's "Gr. Loco. Chase", Silver Streak, and Bridge over the River Kwai 

Real influence lies elsewhere.

 

  "Why else would a grown man play with trains": A loose interpretation of the bridge.

 

If Sheldon Cooper meets John Astin To conquer a fear of him, or to shame him for wrecking the trains, no matter, I'd die laughing!

 

When I show this I know many wonder what may have influenced me besides the nature of the Marvin the Martian rocket launching car it pulls, and there is an answer. Yes there are others (Flash Gordon GRJ ), but seeing this 1937 "mini-flick" from this mid way point on, pushed me right into this. (there was a dorsal fin made, not used)   

 

    http://youtu.be/qfEiveTQy3M?t=4m41s 

 

 

        

 

 

 

No question that the Polar Express book and movie have inspired many train layouts. The use of the train to help teach many important lessons is simply magical. It doesn't get any better.

No, I never thought of your neat idea to try recreate movie scenes.  Probably wouldn't have room, anyway.

I had an L shaped layout around the turn of the century, maybe 15x9 separated by a wall. To mask the wall I cut tunnel openings and a mountain on both sides of the wall. When the train came through the tunnel....it was Bedford Falls. I had all the buidlings from the Wonderful Life collection.

 

There were a few scenes at the train station. I did read that Bedford Falls is a movie studio backlot.

 

The other part of the layout was Dept 56. I would have called it bucolic.

 

rat

If I was ever one of those people who wanted a layout and was looking for a concept for it (I wanted to represent the concept I'm modeling from the start, and it's the only reason I have my layout at all), I'd probably model in HO and re-create the areas and rolling stock from the all time greatest RR movie ever, "Emperor of the North," which I feel is the 'Citizen Kane' of RR movies.

Looks like someone modeled the entire train already as this shot is of an HO scale model of the one car used in the film for a while:

 

Just watched the Man who shot Liberty Valance roll away into the sunset.

 

For the longest time in HO scale I was inspired by Back to the Future: Part III.  I even found decals online to print out for the Mantua 4-6-0.

For O gauge, Murder on the Orient Express is perhaps the strongest influence for me.  Of course, that would require actually getting the MTH equipment, but the cold, dark, remote, forested, mountainous landscape portrayed in the various renditions of the story would make for a very interesting Christmas layout.  (Perhaps it's for this reason that I tend to associate both the train and the story with the holidays.)  I really would like to find figures to represent all the characters and maybe even equipment for the plow train.

All great movies. Whether the train/locomotive is the star or just in there for a few screen shots. The point is, all of us agree, trains do inspire us to be creative on our layouts as well as the trains we purchase.

 

Emperor of the North was a great movie as well.

 

There was this movie about modern hobos that ran the UP and BNSF up in CA and WA states. The general theme was a murder and the young guy had to try and figure out who murdered his mother and step dad. Turns out it was........LOL Just in case some did not see the movie, but for the life of me, I cannot recall the title of it. Really cool scenes using modern iron from the UP and BNSF.

 

Pete

I understand that your post inquires about Hollywood type films and I do enjoy several previously mentioned.  They inspire me to go and run my trains, but you tube videos of the real PRR steamers, tracks, turnouts, trackside buildings and of course horseshoe curve inspire me to capture certain rr scenes on my layout.    

Oh gosh yes. I watch YouTube all the time for inspiration and I agree that they can help people create.

 

Hollywood is Hollywood, but the real world of trains is far more fascinating. Thanks for mentioning this pennsynut........

 

 

Pete

"Water For Elephants" a great Circus or train movie. Inspired me to do a RBB&B train. Shows the grity life on the road/rails.