Tag Archives: Saint Louis

Once Upon The Wabash 1953

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Condor Films, Inc., St. Louis

Corny. Even back THEN, this script dialogue was corny. But, oh, that pristine first-generation diesel, domed streamliner. Wabash’s Blue Bird. That WAS the way to travel.

This was the best color version I could find online — I had to chop off the bottom portion on many screen caps account frikken Periscope Films’ “counter” running through the entire picture. Spoilsports.

Anyway, color scenes of freight and passenger equipment from the postwar era are always a treat to look at, even though Wabash was a bit late to the streamliner game.

Follow the Flag!

Leading this Chicago – St. Louis domeliner (the Blue Bird, #21 southbound; #24 northbound) is EMD E8A WAB #1000 built in 1951 and producing 2,250 horsepower.

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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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