I always liked "Union Pacific" about building the transcontinental railroad that my Dad had on video. It was almost a ritual for a few years, to sit down with my son and nephew when we visited and watch it. The kids always got a kick out of the scene where the Indians (Native Americans for the PC crowd) ambushed the train and had fun trying on the women's undergarments that spilled out of a derailed freight car.
What about The Fugitive, with Harrison Ford? It was not an all train movie, but did have some good scenes. Harold
OK, this was not a movie but a series from the 1950s that I have not seen mentioned yet, how about Petticoat Junction. I think it still plays on the NickTV/Nick-at-Night station.
My dad and I just loved to watch Petticoat Junction - the Cannonball - and now the Cannonball makes a run to Muskegon every night through my backyard on CSX! We also liked The Wild Wild West for the scenes with James West's private train. Oh yeah - how about The Aadams Family - Gomez blowing up his Lionel trains! I just got done watching "Torque" - because it's raining and I was flipping through the channels - talk about a weird scene! Motorcycles dueling on top of Budd streamliners being pulled by an E unit??!!
Cowboy (1958) Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon It's not about trains, but about 20 minutes of what these cowboys do is to help take the herd on board a cattle train and take it to market. Several shots loading the ATSF cars and in the drover caboose and everything. In the show, one of the tasks is to get cows that are "down" in the cattle cars back on their feet while the train is underway. Getting them up means more live cattle and more money. It is very dangerous and some drovers refuse to do it. Good overall movie. The train is the last 20 minutes or so.
One of my all time favorites, is a real oldie but goodie. "The General" starring Buster Keaton, has some awesome footage of civil war era steam. It is a silent movie, but well worth watching. Seeing the star of the movie sitting on the siderods of a moving steam locomotive is amazing. No studio insurance company would allow that today! Eric
Back in the 1960's, Disney did a version of the Andrew's Raiders. Believe that Fes Parker was one star. Can't think of the movie's name???? Boxcab E50
Wilfred Brimley, Kevien Bacon; It does not get any better than "Short Line" As for Runaway Train, it has some great scenery, but the Acting is atrocious. Brad
Not a movie, but Aflack and my favorite duck have a new commercial, done like the old silent movie with the damsel tied to the track. Sierra RR 28 is the featured steam locomotive.
Jim- Where have you been seeing that one? Haven't spotted it as yet. I like that duck. Whoever came up with the idea should have been well rewarded. Boxcab E50
Jeez, I keep forgetting one of my favorites. "The Train" Starring Burt Lancaster & Paul Scofield. About a Nazi officer (Scofield) who is moving priceless artwork from a French art museum to the interior of Germany during WW2. with a special train. Lancaster is the French trainmaster(a member of the Resistance)who tries to foil his mission. Some GREAT shots of French and German steam. Good plot, plenty of action(both war and railroad). CT
Ken, sorry, I don't know where it played. My wife calls me when it's on. I seem to spend most of my time on this infernal machine, trying to copy my videos to DVD's. It has been a frustrating and humbling experience.