Forbesfilm

Dreadful. That’s how one IMDb.com reviewer described this 2.5 stars out of 10 stinkeroo. This is undoubtedly the WORST obscure train movie I’ve ever watched, bar none. The cinematography is out-of-focus or ridiculously close-up and the acting is wooden. I only reviewed this movie because it promised 3 former Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge locomotives in shot.

As compensation, dear reader, I will offer clear, nicely-framed pictures and details of the three locomotives and rolling stock. All train scenes were filmed along the Durango & Silverton tourist railroad in Colorado. Since the film is so wretched, I will not bother to I.D. any of the principals involved. As a group, they need a refresher course in filmmaking.

How I suffer for my hobby. OK, Let’s go train spotting!!

Well, there’s ONE guy I WILL identify. I gave this mug the pet name of “Dude”. It helped me get through the movie. Here we see Dude shuffling alongside D&S #486. More about the locomotive later.

Night time, Durango depot. A stranger is on hand to watch the arrival of D&S #486 as it pulls past coach #350, “Alamosa”.

Compare with this clearer image of D&S #486 and tourist train (David Sheppard via flickr.com) just outside town. Peter Wittmann is the source for this view of #350. “Alamosa” appears to have a small observation platform on one end and I see beer bottles through the windows. #350 is, indeed, a parlor car.

D&S #486 is a former D&RGW K-36 class 2-8-2 built by Baldwin in 1925.

“Let’s zoom in on Dude’s boot”. Dude stares off into space as he saunters alongside two additional pieces of rolling stock. In light gray paint is D&SNG #313 “Silver Vista” and wearing maroon is #312 “San Juan”.

“Silver Vista” is a home-built, first class observation car with quite a history. “San Juan” was originally built in 1887 and has been lovingly restored for tourist service. Both pictures credited to Peter Wittmann.

Meanwhile, Dude has made his way alongside and past the front of #486 thus ending our 1st train scene.

Time Passes

Locomotive change! Here comes D&S #473 towing a tourist train around an “S” curve. Second shot shows filmmakers once more zooming into the side of the #473 until everything is a blur.

D&S #473 is a former D&RGW K-28 class 2-8-2 built by Baldwin in 1923.

MUCH better shot of D&S #473 on a photo freight with the Aspens just starting to color up. Image found on Pinterest, unknown photographer. I LOVE that massive snowplow!

Dude is out walking the tracks next to an enormous pile of used railroad ties. The cameraman is once more obsessing over “Dude’s” feet. Filthy pervert.

Eyeball Fu! Doing his best Marty Feldman, this character is fixing to board the San Juan #312 back at Durango depot. Suddenly, the scene reverts to a spooky, B&W image.

Huge chunk of movie, mercifully, left off HERE.

A couple, marginal views of D&S #473. Note the amateurish “smoke” added to the 2nd view.

Okay, let’s just wrap this thing up right now, shall we? Space cadet Dude is unimpressed with the fine piece of machinery clanking behind him. Our third locomotive appears in sepia tone just before the closing credits.

This is D&S #480, a former D&RGW K-36 class 2-8-2 built by Baldwin in 1925.

D&S #480 looking fine leading a tourist train under a beautiful Colorado sky. Image found on Pinterest, unknown photographer.

Here’s what IMDb has to say about Cole Younger and the Black Train:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2197881/

If you have ANY information about this movie you’d like to share, please contact me at: Lindsay.Korst@gmail.com, or leave a comment.  Thanks and enjoy the blog!

THE END