Tag Archives: Poker

The Gambler 1980

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Time-Life
Columbia Broadcasting System

Today’s feature is a tale of two steam locomotives — mostly filmed at the Old Tucson Studios whose star attraction was ex-Virginia & Truckee #11, “Reno”. According to Larry Jensen’s “Hollywood’s Railroads, Volume One”, ex-Dardanelle & Russellville #8, also appeared in this made-for-TV movie and therein lies my quandary.

I can’t tell the engines apart. Both are 4-4-0’s. Both burn oil. V&T #11 was built by Baldwin in 1872. D&R #8 was built by Alco (Cooke) in 1888. From all the screen caps and pictures I’ve seen, these two could be twins.

SO. For identification purposes throughout my review, I will refer to the locomotive as it is painted — Southern Pacific Railroad #8.

Update: Many Thanks to blog reader Caldwell Butler, who has identified the locomotive below as D&R #8.

The entire 94 minute movie takes place in or around a train, so let’s explore Kenny Rogers’ journey “On a train bound to nowhere” (or in this case, to Yuma). At the bottom of this review, is a 3 1/2 minute video of “The Gambler” song on which this movie is based.

SP #8 is at full gallop with its passenger train on a nice, flat stretch of track. How about that MOD S.P.R.R. lettering on the tender? Is that a funky font or what?

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Around the World in 80 Days 1956

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Warner Brothers

There were TWO distinct train scenes in this 182 minute, Oscar-winning monstrosity: the first in India and the second in Colorado. I plan to just review the footage taken along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, narrow gauge lines. <– This last link is a FANTASTIC resource.

Taking its shape from the Jules Verne book of the same name, 80 Days follows the adventures of the fictitious Phileas Fogg (played by David Niven) and his loyal and resourceful valet, Passepartout (played by Cantinflas) as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

Of course, the REAL star of this entire production is D&RGW #315, a class C-18, 2-8-0, narrow gauge steam locomotive. She was originally built for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad as their #3 “Elkton” by Baldwin in 1895.

Let’s have some fun and check out the Wild West portion of 80 Days. All Aboard!

Ignacio, Colorado’s depot, on the D&RGW Durango to Chama, NM line, stands in as Fort Kearney (note the cavalry riding in). Filmmakers painted up the town’s depot into a pleasing red, white and blue scheme.

This was the best view of the entire passenger train in the movie. From left to right: D&RGW #315, diesel hiding in a baggage car, combine #212, coach #320 and parlor car “Silver Palace”.

More about the hidden diesel later.

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