Amazingly, I'd never seen this movie until yesterday. While the plot was a bit corny, the rail photography was stunning.

Are the steam locos featured still running somewhere?

I thought number 19 was still running in Northern California somewhere. They abandoned the Oregon Pacific & Eastern railroad, that the movie was filmed on in 1994. I have a section on that railroad and what remains today.

http://www.brian894x4.com/OPandErailroad.html

There was a discusion I think last spring on NGDF about this locomotive & the movie probably in the archives over there..........................Wooly

As already stated No. 19 was the primary star in Emperor of the North, however No. 5 served in the supporting role of three different locos in various scenes.

From Larry Jensen's The Movie Railroads:

Number 5 was bought [from the Magma Arizona Railroad] by the Oregon Pacific and Eastern Railroad in 1972 for steam excursion service. The locomotive's first duty with its new owner was a role in Emperor of the North. This depression-era film "starred" OP&E locomotive No. 19, and No. 5 was assigned to supporting roles as three different locomotives in various scenes. The engine wasn't ideally suited for the OP&E operation, and in 1978 she was resold to the Moody Foundation for a new railroad museum in Galveston, Texas.

I am all for those in supporting roles!!

sc 'doc' lewis

Thanks for the info, guys.

The person who owned the railroad the movie was filmed on also owned the Yreka Western R.R. The last I heard, when the railroad at Cottage Grove was pulled up, the locomotive was sent down to the Yreka Western and used there. The Yreka Western had discontinued passenger excursions last year and there is no sign they will begin offering excursions again... the entire railroad was for sale a year or so ago for two million.

Interesting enough, Buster Keton's silent movie "The General" was filmed on the same railroad as "Emperor of the North".