Tag Archives: 0-6-0 steam locomotive

For All Time 2000

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CBS Television

Remake! As promised last month, I have reviewed this TV movie re-do of the classic Twilight Zone episode, A Stop at Willoughby 1960. For train exteriors and some interiors, filmmakers traveled to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Featured trains included the CTrain light rail system (present day) and steam locomotive with short train at Heritage Park (1896). THIS LINK was a tremendous help in identifying the Heritage Park equipment.

How about that gazebo? This above scene is lifted directly out of “Willoughby”. Hey, that’s Mark Harmon! (Playing burned-out advertising exec Charles Lattimer.). Every time I see Mark Harmon, I can’t help but think of his wonderfully-psychotic performance as Ted Bundy in The Deliberate Stranger.

New Train / Old Train – Calgary’s downtown stands in for “Saint Louis” as an inbound CTrain rumbles by in the background; The 1896 train rounds a curve and disappears into the mist at Heritage Park. More about that high cupola Canadian Pacific caboose later.

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Union Depot 1932

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First National Pictures

I think I heard the word, “swell” about a dozen times in this movie…which made me giggle. It’s kind of corny, but relevant slang for the times. Now, before I get too carried away here, I want to thank Danny at the Pre-Code.com blog for tipping me off about this movie. His review of this flick was a great inspiration and help in understanding what the heck was going on.

For a picture mostly filmed in the studio, Union Depot had a respectable train allotment including two Southern Pacific steam locomotives I could identify, a named Pullman 12-1 sleeper and the pre-LAUPT Southern Pacific Central Station to name a few. And let’s not overlook the enormous Union Depot set itself built in the studio — which would be re-used in many more upcoming movies.

Joan Blondell (Yowza!) plays chorus girl Ruth Collins alongside the rakish Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as hobo/bum Chick Miller who cleans up nicely (literally) before he meets his gal pal.

Let’s go down to the station and see what’s happening. All Abooooooarrrrd!!!

Joan turns on a dazzling smile as she and Doug discuss travel plans. In the background is the Union Depot soundstage which included offices, a cafe, bathrooms, waiting room with wooden pews, numbered gates to trains and columns. Lots of columns.

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