Union Pacific movie

Ted Miles · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2001 2:53 pm

I have a post card that shows a 4-4-0 loco with the number 58. It is my understanding that Virginia and Truckee engines were used in the movie. The prop people changet a lot of details,
as the V&T never got beyond #27 in its numbering.

Can anyone suggest an article about the movie and the equipment it used?

Thanks Ted Miles

ted_miles@NPS.gov

Brian Norden · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2001 9:02 pm

Off the top of my head, I would say that the movie is the epic "Union Pacific" and that the engine is the "Dayton."

There was a whole book on the equipment and railroads used by the studios. Larry Jensen's "The Movie Railroads." I haven't had time to retreave my copy and check out the informaton.

Brian Norden

> I have a post card that shows a 4-4-0 loco
> with the number 58. It is my understanding
> that Virginia and Truckee engines were used
> in the movie. The prop people changet a lot
> of details,
> as the V&T never got beyond #27 in its
> numbering.

> Can anyone suggest an article about the
> movie and the equipment it used?

> Thanks Ted Miles

bnorden@gateway.net

Roger Colton · **Posted:** Fri Aug 17, 2001 10:54 am

> Off the top of my head, I would say that the
> movie is the epic "Union Pacific"
> and that the engine is the
> "Dayton."

> There was a whole book on the equipment and
> railroads used by the studios. Larry
> Jensen's "The Movie Railroads." I
> haven't had time to retreave my copy and
> check out the informaton.

> Brian Norden

Don't forget that the V&T also appeared in John Ford's silent "The Iron Horse" also about the building of the UP/CP.

Could have been that film as well.

Roger

rogerc38@aol.com

JMFouchard · **Posted:** Fri Aug 17, 2001 12:06 pm

The photo is indeed of V&T No. 18 "Dayton" dressed as UPRR 58 for a publicity tour promoting Cecil B. DeMille's production of "Union Pacific" filmed in 1939. The loco also portrayed UPRR No. 119 in the film. Paramount Studios bought numerous rail equipment from the V&T in the late 30s and saved these locos and cars from the scrappers during World War II. Rail author Lucius Beebe served as technical advisor for the production. In addition to the "Dayton", the movie used V&T locos No. 22 "Inyo", No. 21 "J.W. Bowker" (leased from the RLHS) and No. 11 "Reno" (leased from V&T and the only engine damaged in the filming). "Inyo", "Dayton" and "Reno" were all dressed for multiple roles in the film. Larry Jensen's book "The Movie Railroads", Lucius Beebe's "Steamcars to the Comstock" and Mallory Hope Farrell's "Virginia and Truckee all detail the filming.

JMFouchard@aol.com