Large Scale Central

Movie "UNSTOPPABLE" - Riveting!

General Discussion
#1

It may still be playing near you.
For train enthusiasts, this movie will hold you in your seat.
Premise: Inept crew member releases freight train - two hood units reach full throttle - on the main line without crew.
Our daughter indicated the reviews stated it was based on a factual incident. Whew!
Any responses as to the accuracy in this movie portrayal?

P…S. Could not the air lines have been lashed up to the chasing loco thus activating the air brakes on the cars?
Sorry for those wishing not to have any hints at attempts for remedy.

I bet TAC would know.
Wendell

#2

Wendell -

Where were you when we hashed this out? The movie has been out for awhile (Thanksgiving ?). There was a thread here at the time. I saw it, liked it, but realistic (or true to the actual incident) it is not.

#3

Yes it has been discussed before, Hollywood did glorify a lot but quite a bit was factual. CSXT eng 8888 did roll out of Toledo, Ohio with some cars and did go between 35-50 miles before being boarded & stopped… Yes, the police did attempt to shoot at the red cap on the fuel tank uinsuccessfully. Movie was quite entertaining. When train got away to start off with was because there was no air had been put into the trainline nor were hand brakes applied.

#4

I liked the movie .

#5

Jon and all:
I goofed. Sorry for revisiting that which I missed.
I do appreciate the analysis on the “real” portion of the movie.
Wendell

#6

No goof Wendell,
No harm in discussing it again :slight_smile:
Ralph

#7

Jon, look at this article about the runaway train in Northwest Ohio, about a runaway train on the mainline from toledo, heading to Columbus, may 15, 2001…

the article is the 5th entry down… starts with ““Rewind Wednesday””

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=runaway+train+news+story&aq=1&aqi=g2g-m2&aql=&oq=runaway+train+news&pbx=1&fp=a09eab5fb0f14aaf

#8

Yes, yes yes. It is based on an actual incident. It’s just been “embellished” quite a bit for dramatic effect.

No problem Wendell :slight_smile:

#9

embellished = try to make money at the box office… :slight_smile:

#10
Andy Clarke said:
embellished = try to make money at the box office.... :)
Which they did and bound to make even more in the DVD market. I'll rent it to see again.
#11

me too, John… the scenes were great… :slight_smile:

#12

Based on the movie, would it have been possible if the last freight car’s hoses were attached to the persuing loco, could not the braking system on the train have been activated?
Wendell

#13

I saw the movie in the theater, and don’t recall any riveting. However, there may have been some welding. :wink:

#14

Ray-
How brazen of you to be so attached to the option for humor. Weld-done!

Meanwhile, would the loco be able to activate the brakes if the hoses were hooked to the trailing engine? Aw, rats, honest, I want to know.

Hey, TAC, do you know?

#15

Train brakes, yes. independant loco brakes, no. They would have to be MUed to get control of the lead loco’s brakes. I am waiting to see it when it hits DVD.

#16

Nominated for best sound editing.

Could win.

#17

DVD release 2/15/11, should I get in line now and beat the rush?

#18

I’ve only managed to get a first day release once from Netflix. It was RED yesterday. Saw the release advertised on TV on Sunday, already had a disk on it’s way back the previous day. Put RED in my queue at #1 Sunday night - They actually shipped it Monday, one day before release day and I watched it last night. Not bad.

So I guess I need to mark my calendar for Sat Feb 12 to mail back a CD and get it to #1 in my queue by Sunday night :smiley:

BTW - Netflix sez: Unstoppable has been added to the Saved section of your DVD Queue. Availability: DVD: Unknown

#19

I decided to go see the movie tonight. Could wait for Neflix, but I figure it will be better in the theater.
Ralph

#20

Just viewed the film 3/31/2011
Boy did they do a great job!
The wife and daughter even liked it!
I’ll have to try to see again.
Sean