Richard , I think the movie you are thinking of is called “Run of The Arrow”… It was set at the end of the Civil War… I am gonna see if I can find it since I like Civil War movies…
Travis
The above movie can be found on youtube…full version. It starred Rod Steiger as the lead character…
European:
The Train - wartime b/w SNCF as already described
Trains Closely Observed - wartime b/w set in what then was Czechoslovakia and subtitled in English
Von Ryans Express
United Kingdom:
The Railway Children
Titfield Thunderbolt
(not stictly movies but there are also some great British Transport Commission made films, usually b/w plus many the BBC have done).
United States:
Big choice for non American viewers in lots of western type movies featuring the D&RGW and others.
Unstoppable. I like 3:10 to Yuma too. Not a lot of train action but what is there is cool.
Terry
I guess I should start watching movies. I don’t think I have seen any of the above lol… I cant sit for more then 20 minutes 
The Station Agent (I think), about a social misfit who inherits a RR station and trys to fit into the community.
I had forgotten the Station Agent, it was enjoyable. I also remember something about a railroad in Maine, I guess, having to close and there was no way to get potatoes,or whatever to market. It all ended well, just like any good fairy tale.
There is an old 1930’s movie called “Danger Lights”. Lots of old steam action, but very dark.Our hero has to take the train boss to the hospital to save his life.
It’s a serious movie, but hysterical because our hero takes the steam engine and runs the whole train by himself!
I’m not a movie watcher, like Shawn, it’s hard for me to watch anything longer than a sitcom. But a close friend of mine has the SP daylight cars that were movie prop in the movie “Tough Guys” With Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Charles Durning, Alexis Smith.
I had a youtube link for the ending scene showing the train robbery and train getting destroyed, but I guess youtube took it down.
Wonder what scale those are? Looks almost 3/4" scale.
Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
Wonder what scale those are? Looks almost 3/4" scale.
Greg
I think it is 1". He has live steam, and diesel running around his house that you can ride on.
That is way cool Mike!
I don’t watch a lot movies either. But Chattanooga choo choo popped in my head. I don’t think I’ve seen it but once when I was a kid. Also, Silver Streak. I’ve seen it a few times.
Actually found Chattanooga choo choo on youtube. lol.
Steve Featherkile said:
Tough Guys end scene without sound, for some reason…
[youtube]http://youtu.be/Q-CiElg_41A
Yeah, Steve, I saw that one, but like you said, no sound. And it is sped up and the aspect ratio is odd. Last summer, there was a good youtube of that sequence, but it’s gone now.
From my friend, “The train was not destroyed, it was returned to the builder Jack Sessums of Sessums Engineering in Redland, CA who repaired any damage. The SP GS-4 is still on display along with a lot of other models that they made for the movies at the family ranch in CA.”
Richard Smith said:
My next favorite was set on a train during the Civil War and starred Charles Bronson in what I consider his best role. Sorry I can’t remember the name of the movie. Maybe someone can help me out.
“Breakheart Pass”???
My favorite is Break Heart Pass with Charles Bronson as well.
this one is better
Vic and Bart got it…Breakheart Pass. Thanks! You too Robby.
I forgot one of the all time great filmed railroad scenes in a movie in my opinion…
the wreck scene in HOW THE WEST WAS WON as originally filmed in Cinerama. I remember when I first saw it on the big screen. There was a momentary pause from the audience as if they were catching their breath and then everybody burst out in applause.
Richard Smith said:
Vic and Bart got it…Breakheart Pass. Thanks! You too Robby.
I forgot one of the all time great filmed railroad scenes in a movie in my opinion…
the wreck scene in HOW THE WEST WAS WON as originally filmed in Cinerama. I remember when I first saw it on the big screen. There was a momentary pause from the audience as if they were catching their breath and then everybody burst out in applause.
FYI on that wreck,from Wikipedia:
“Stuntman Bob Morgan, husband of Yvonne DeCarlo, was seriously injured and lost a leg during a break in filming a gunfight on a moving train while filming “The Outlaws” portion. Chains holding logs on a flat-bed car broke, crushing Morgan as he crouched beside them.” “However, his contract with MGM assumed no responsibility for the accident.”
It was because of this injury and resulting lawsuit with MGM DeCarlo had to find an acting gig to help cover their bills. As a result she took a role that would prove to be part of a iconic TV series in The Munsters.