The Train Movie "UNSTOPPABLE"

[richg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3bkMiThVc0

Below is a link to what actually happened. Not a big deal. Only the chase loco crew had any excitement as did the crewman who jumped on the lead loco when it was running slow enough.The conductor in the chase loco had to leave the cab on the walkway to watch for a solid couple and signal the driver.Then the driver had to slow the freight and not break a coupler.

The first time I read about his incident was in the Reader's Digest, March 2002 mostly about the crew and loco that chased down and caught the freight. They had a wild ride running unloaded. The driver had to exceed the max safe speed of the loco when running unloaded. The back page of that issue shows the front of the loco, driver and conductor of the chase loco.

Since it is an Action Movie with embellishments by Hollywood, I doubt I will take time to see it. Maybe when it shows up on TV.


Real story.
www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp

IF YOU PAY CLOSE ATTENTION, YOU WILL SEE A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOVIE AND REALITY. MIGHT BE GOOD FOR CHILDREN.

Rich

[J3a-614]

Well, I'll probably go, if for no other reason that a chunk of it was filmed in the Wheeling, W.Va. and Beallaire, Ohio, areas (I'm from there; the scene in the trailer in which the pipes fall off the flat car is on the Ohio approach to the fomer B&O bridge to Benwood).

Another movie with Wheeling-Moundsville-B&O connections was the prison and chase flick "Fools Parade," filmed  in 1970 but set in 1935, starring James Stewart and George Kennedy and a number of other notables, including Southern's 2-8-2 4501 in black paint and B&O lettering!

[napa15]

... including Southern's 2-8-2 4501 in black paint and B&O lettering!

Which is my favorite Steam Engine. Many many fond memories of her. And, hopefully on track to complete the full restoration for her 100th birthday next year.

[jward]

wonder where corey (trainsrock) is? this was filmed in his backyard.....

other portions were filmed on the nittany & bald eagle near tyrone, pa, and some shots in upstate new york near olean as well.

some other tidbits, there were at least 9 locomotives involved, including 2 pairs of ge widebodies with duplicate numbers, 3 sd40-2s all painted blue and numbered 1206, and 2 of the very last sd40-2s built ( the grey ones).......

[Santa Fe buff]

As long as the train doesn't lose brake due to a dis-connected air hose, I'll be fine to watch it.

Cheers,
Joshua

[UPWilly]

Wow! What a story. As stated in the initial post to this thread, the story is based on a true incident in 2001. The link in the original post to this thread is faulty (has been removed from the destination site); however, the UTU did publish an article, giving credit to the engineer who stopped the train. Link to the UTU publication is here:
http://www.utu.org/worksite/newspdfs/2001/UTU0107.PDF

The article is on page 2.

Yes, I want to see this movie. Denzel Washington is a top-notch actor.

[Michigan Railfan]

I'll agree with Willy about Denzel being a good actor. But what I want to know is, how did the train start moving if it was unmanned? Seems like a good terrorism plot to me. A terrorist is hired by CSX, then puts the loco into notch 8, and gets off the train. But really, how did the train get into notch 8 with no one on it?

[J3a-614]

Guess some of us will have to shell out for tickets to find out.  How many of us might take to laughing at the inevitable goof-ups Hollywood will make?

Some other YouTube links--hope some of these work better than the last batch on British diesels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqvgQTPnT0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpvWRhyKxvs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BtoLRoD9W4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAuHwEbbJzU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NhCWwuu2Gs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXCHTpWxsS0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKA9UvVZ770&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWVAUTo6zSI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip6839oxfoc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArSWpyfU8ig&feature=related

There are some differences between this scene and how it plays in the clip; as I recall, there are some structures in the trailer that aren't here.  The wonders of digital cameras and equipment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMz2cWQzjj8&NR=1

On YouTube are other clips in which people reenact scenes from "Runaway Train" in HO, very often as a spoof.  Wonder how many will do so with this one?

[J3a-614]

Some other shots for you movie-train modelers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxJ_s4ig5mk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCQ8xUxj7zk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3nx5rqPk44&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge5DRAfpwSI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Rhpl54RfY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXOuyM8HHaA&feature=related

[richg]

I found the March 2002 Reader's Digest article on this issue. The chase loco was Q636, CSX 6462, with engineer Jess Knowlton and conductor Terry Folson. They were pulling a freight directly toward the runaway freight and were told to get off at the next siding, ASAP. They came into the siding 15mph over the speed limit for taking a siding.

After they pulled in, the freight went by. They were then told to catch the freight. Obviously the CSX could not let the freight derail at that point with a closed turnout. The freight was running at least 50 mph at times.

By the way, they were running "backwards" in this chase at speeds approaching 65 mph and the max speed for that loco unloaded is 30 mph. They wondered how they ever stayed on the track.

The point they caught the freight was climbing a hill toward Kenton, OH and a downgrade into the town is where they freight was eventually brought under control and stopped. The loco was doing about 12 mph and the worker who hopped on was 52 years old, Jon Hosfield.

The article says the freight was directed through three slow speed sidings in hope it would derail but no such luck. They tried a 50 lb portable derailing device but it was kicked aside by the loco.

The chase loco crew had quite a ride. When the chase loco was chasing the freight, the engineer was pressing so hard on the horn control that he broke off the lever.
There are a couple good photos of the chase loco and crew, plus the man who jumped on the lead loco.
You can probably find the back issue at Amazone.com if interested.

Rich

[steemtrayn]

But really, how did the train get into notch 8 with no one on it?

Before jumping off to throw a switch, the engineer notched out, mistakingly believing he had the dynamic brakes set up.

[Michigan Railfan]

Thanks, ST. I was wondering because it really didn't make sense when I didn't know how it happened.

[richg]

Wow! What a story. As stated in the initial post to this thread, the story is based on a true incident in 2001. The link in the original post to this thread is faulty (has been removed from the destination site); however, the UTU did publish an article, giving credit to the engineer who stopped the train. Link to the UTU publication is here:
http://www.utu.org/worksite/newspdfs/2001/UTU0107.PDF

The article is on page 2.

Yes, I want to see this movie. Denzel Washington is a top-notch actor.

Yeah, no idea what happened to the link as it did work for me.
Thanks for the PDF article as I have not seen this link before.

Rich

[J3a-614]

Found this link to the Film "Fools Parade," shot in the same very general location (Moundsville, W.Va.) in 1970:

http://southern.railfan.net/ties/1970/70-11/movie.html

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,1628404

Southern's 4501's "makeup" (black paint and dirt picked up on the ferry move to Benwood, W,Va.) as a B&O Q-3 looked good.