Tag Archives: Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad #5

The Great Race 1965

Warner Brothers

THREE different train scenes decorate this 160 minute, old-time comedy, from the mid-sixties. Two steam locomotives and a rocket-car-on-rails (for heaven’s sake) provide the motive power when the going gets tough.

Not obscure by any stretch of the imagination, The Great Race is more famously known for it’s exotic automobiles and all-star cast.

As always, I will concentrate on the railroad bits and happily, all three machines shown are still in existence with the two steam engines currently in operation as of 2024.

Starting with the rocket car, let’s take a glance back from when Hollywood still knew how to create a fun and entertaining movie. MAAAAAAXXXXXX!!!

Blast Off! With a tremendous display of pyrotechnics, Professor Fate (played by Jack Lemmon) and Maximilian “Max” Meen (played by Peter Falk) hurtle down the track somewhere along the Sierra Railroad.

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Wrong Train to Brimstone 1971

Universal Studios

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad #5, a 2-6-0 built in 1875 by Baldwin is the star of today’s feature. Currently restored and operating at the NCNG Railroad museum in Nevada City, California, #5 was a movie star at Universal Studios from 1940 to 1984 for countless films and TV shows.

The Alias Smith & Jones (1971-1973) western television series utilized the studio “railroad” (about 2,000 feet of track and a couple depots) at Universal for filming. Producers also dipped into stock footage from other movies for transition and action scenes.

Hats Off to Larry Jensen for all his books about Hollywood’s movie railroads, making it easier to identify what is what. All Aboard!

With a blast of its throaty chime whistle, #5 prepares to leave town. Note the star on the boiler front, elk on the headlight box, #8 on the sand dome and some sort of name plate on the cab side. It’s possible this shot is footage from another production.

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