Paramount Pictures

This month’s feature was recommended by blog reader Tony Wilson as one of his favorite railroad films. I will be highlighting his comments in purple as the story unfolds.

Reader Railroad #1702 (ex-US Army), a 2-8-0 consolidation is the star of the show, along with a string of old passenger cars, box cars and (seen briefly) a former Cotton Belt wooden caboose.

Eye candy for the guys and gals is supplied by Natalie Wood (as Alva Starr) and Robert Redford (as Owen Legate). Natalie/Alva in particular, plays a rather saucy wench (WOOF!) with a boarding house full of railroad workers seeking her favors. That SHAMELESS Hussy…

Finally, the location (fictional Dodson, Mississippi) for all this 1960s railroad goodness, is Bay St Louis, MS along the former Louisville & Nashville (now-CSX) tracks. What’s really cool is the train station is still there and they offer walking tours of the town to see movie locations.

“This Property is Condemned” contains the only known recording of an authentic Cotton Belt steam whistle from a 2-8-0 Consolidation. The whistle was fitted to the #1702 to replace the shrill European one the US Army used.

It’s a low-pitched, chime whistle — very mournful sounding — dare I describe it as “Moanin’ Low”?

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