Tag Archives: Chicago Transit Authority

Planes, Trains and Automobiles 1987

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Paramount Pictures

Happy Thanksgiving! My brother recommended this flick to me as an Obscure Train Movie. I hadn’t gotten around to reviewing this movie, (or even watching it previously), because I can’t stand Steve Martin. His whole “Excuuuuse Me” schtick always left me scratching my head. At least John Candy has decent comedy chops and pretty much carries the picture, IMHO.

Anyways, Mark talked this one up so much as a holiday movie, I had to give it a shot. At first blush, the train scene had some very unique motive power and equipment. Second, this picture has a stellar supporting cast, with notable character actors including Ben Stein, Edie McClurg, William Windom and Ferris Bueller’s Dad (Lyman Ward) to name a few.

Having said that, I spent most of this movie on “fast-forward” and concentrated on the railroad bits. I just didn’t enjoy this movie as a whole (Again, Steve Martin rubs me the wrong way). One bright spot is a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA or “the L”) scene near the end. The most fun was researching the upstate New York railroad equipment and locations used — a lot of it is still there — so thanks for the tip, Big Brother!

Our movie train soars above a rushing stream somewhere in upstate New York State. I wasn’t able to pin-point the location, but it is a very high bridge with a supporting tower next to the creek.

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The Sting 1973

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Universal Pictures

New York Central Railroad’s famed 20th Century Limited is the setting for a key portion of today’s movie review. Leaving New York City at 4:15pm and arriving Chicago at 9:00am, Westbound train #25 was a Pullman-only heavyweight train when the movie takes place (September 1936).

Train scenes were filmed in Chicago at Union Station, LaSalle Street Station, and the 43rd Street “L” station. There were also a few, brief railroad shots filmed in the Los Angeles area.

The onboard sequence appears to have utilized a heavyweight “section” sleeper made up for daytime configuration. They could have been using studio-owned passenger cars or even a set for this.

Let’s take a ride on the Century!

A view inside Henry Gondorff’s (played by Paul Newman) bedroom. Painted apple green, I really dig the fixtures and Pullman washcloths, but that huge liquid soap dispenser looks out of place somehow.  Exterior of LaSalle Street Station in Chicago.  It seems mighty dark for the train to be arriving at 9:00am!

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