Tag Archives: Canada

End of the Line 1959

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National Film Board of Canada

According to our narrator, the years 1955 – 1961 represented Canada’s phasing out of steam, to be replaced by diesels. Today’s short (30 minutes), is mostly interviews with people, both railroaders and those outside the industry, asking how they feel about this transition.

Fortunately, there is a good amount of steam footage as well as a smattering of first-generation diesels to examine. The highlight is a double-headed “farewell to steam” fan trip on Canadian National including several runbys for their fans.

Our feature is mostly steam on Canadian National Railways, but as the ending credits roll, we are treated to pacing shots of Canadian Pacific Railway steamers on two, separate trains.

En voiture!

A classic roundhouse view, with sunlight streaming through the windows, highlights a quiver of steam locomotives resting between assignments.

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Wrongfully Accused 1998

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Warner Brothers Pictures

Just three minutes of train action , but it’s a jim-dandy. And it is referenced on the cover of the DVD, for Pete’s sake.

Leslie Neilsen mercilessly parodies the famous train wreck scene from The Fugitive 1993. Filmed mostly in British Columbia along the old Pacific Great Eastern (later renamed British Columbia Railway or BC Rail), our film features one of that line’s locomotives: a General Electric B36-7 #3607.

The movie also parodies Charlie’s Angels, North by Northwest, and Lords of the Dance to name a few. If you just want to sit down with a nice adult beverage and be entertained, this is the picture for you. (The Fugitive itself ain’t too bad, either.)

Trying to keep up with all the guest star cameos is a hoot as well, with such notables as Kelly LeBrock, Michael York, Sandra Bernhard and John Walsh.

Curiously, the DVD cover appears to show a Union Pacific EMD SD60M #6408 with a 3-piece windshield. The make/model is correct; the locomotive number is incorrect. This engine is not seen anywhere in the movie.

The TWO sets of ditch lights are a BCOL-standard, but the crazy Gyralite box on the nose is Hollywood, pure and simple. A good, British Columbia-soaking of liquid sunshine completes this picture.

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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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Holiday Affair 1996

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USA Network
RKO Pictures

Merry Christmas! Thanks to a 2016 challenge by good friend Carl Swanson, I am reviewing the 1996 USA Network remake of Holiday Affair 1949. The story line is just about the same, freshened up with 1990’s accoutrements.

Once again, Lionel model trains are the real star and major plot point for this movie. It appears filmmakers whomped up a custom-made trainset painted a very shiny shade of silver, with a red/white/blue stripe high along the sides of the cars and locomotive. The consist used is an EMD F3A unit, coach, baggage/coach, full baggage car and dome observation car, in that order (a somewhat unusual arrangement). A brief search turned up little about the particular cars used. Perhaps modelers out there can enlighten me in the comments?

Filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, we are also treated to quick glimpses of the city’s subway system and a real, live peek at VIA Rail’s Canadian in Union Station. Pour yourself a cocoa or glass of wine and enjoy this holiday story of a boy and his trains.

A Lionel train set by the fireplace, Christmas morn. What red-blooded American (or Canadian) kid wouldn’t wish for something like that?

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Finders Keepers 1984

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CBS Theatrical Films / Warner Brothers

This movie was originally brought to my attention courtesy of Erik Stenberg (September 2019 email). It’s as obscure as a train movie can get, filmed out in the wilds of Alberta and British Columbia. Canadian locations meant we are treated to a wonderful Budd-built pocket streamliner of ex-Canadian Pacific cars pulled by a couple former-Canadian National, GMD FP9A diesels. All this glorious passenger equipment courtesy of VIA Rail Canada, who also whomped up a garish “AMrail” paint scheme for the F’s.

The plot and storyline are preposterous, but we’re not here to critique that. Similar to Silver Streak 1976, it’s “Let’s pretend Canada is the U.S., cause it’s cheaper to film up there”.

My apologies for the really fuzzy screen captures — taken off a YouTube video, dontcha know. Enjoy!

Our movie train of 7 cars (including two domes) soars high above Old Man River in Lethbridge, Alberta. For comparison, I include this modern day image from Google of a CP freight train.

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Narrow Margin 1990

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TriStar Pictures

Gene Hackman and Anne Archer star in this 90’s remake of the classic B film noir, The Narrow Margin from 1952.

Well, it’s not an EXACT remake. Let’s just say it takes its SHAPE from the original. Filmmakers spared no expense in obtaining a string of streamlined passenger cars from the now-defunct Roaring Fork Railroad in Colorado, then painting up a BC Rail SD40-2 in a pleasing VIA Rail paint scheme.

Add to that the stunning scenery of British Columbia along BC Rail’s North Vancouver to Prince George line and you’ve got a winner of a movie. The plot? Oh, just a whole slew of bad guys after our heroes, Gene and Anne as Via’s “Canadian” rolls towards Vancouver. Let’s check it out.

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This is probably the best photograph of the entire consist with the lake reflection as a bonus.

Location: Alta Lake, BC near Whistler Resort perhaps? I’m sure SOMEONE out there recognizes this spot.

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