Two movies, one from last year, the other about to be released, happen to feature geared logging engines on appropriate railroads.

The one from last year, perhaps the better of the two (at least depending on taste), is "Angel's Perch," shot around Cass, W.Va. It's a story about a family dealing with Alzheimer's disease, and it happens the setting is there. Although a "small" film, those who have seen it fell in love with it.

The railroad is in the film, and is portrayed as it is today, a heritage line.

http://angelsperch.com/

http://angelsperch.com/synopsis/

http://angelsperch.com/writers-statement/

"Teaser" trailer, used to help raise money for the film:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ang ... 533983DB70

Official trailer:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ang ... 5A67827818

The other movie is a bit bigger, "Serena," set in the late 1920s-early 1930s in North Carolina, and featuring the struggles of a couple to keep a logging empire together (plus some soap opera stuff). Filming was actually done in Czechoslovakia, and the logging railroad that's part of it is a narrow gauge line with a Czech reproduction of a Class A Climax:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serena_(2014_film)

http://www.movieweb.com/movie/serena

Photos (Click to enlarge):

http://www.movieweb.com/movie/serena/PG ... h7YmCLoLh9

http://www.movieweb.com/movie/serena/PG ... VxdiaqERWX

Trailer:

http://www.movieweb.com/movie/serena/in ... al-trailer

From what I see in the production stills, the locomotive appears to follow a recent film making trend of using mock-ups to substitute for the real McCoy. It could be said that in this particular instance it was a matter of necessity as there seems to be a scene involving a boiler explosion, but either way such practice is becoming increasingly popular in period piece films. Take, for example, "The Lone Ranger" or the almost unwatchable AMC series "Hell on Wheels".

Just took a closer look at the larger of the two photos, and it came to me that the Climax replica is on a pair of disconnect logging trucks!

Such disconnect trucks in service, link-and-pin couplers and all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe7QmNBvqI0

Horse yarding, disconnects, and even steam (and with a diamond stack, too--wood-burning power on this road):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw0jEDf6vMg

Heritage road in what looks like Poland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3T2moeN2uE

Is "Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day" logging enough for you?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115925/plo ... _=tt_ov_pl

I watched this movie the other day. A mans attempt at preservation. Tons of great RR footage and the Pacific Electric scenes were a plus too! Most recommended...

Wondering where it was filmed?

I haven't seen this movie in some years (have to dig it out now!), but I think the locations included parts of Los Angeles, Yosemite National Park, the Sierra Railroad at Jamestown (roundhouse scenes), and perhaps the Western Railroad Museum and/or Orange Empire for the PE shop scenes.

What was most interesting was how seamlessly the director or editor worked in vintage film with current footage to make it all look right; wording in black and white would be a plus in that situation.

Some of the older footage--the Daylight entering the yard at Los Angeles and the 4-8-2 on a heavyweight train, and some other scenes--are from the original (1952?) version of "Narrow Margin," which is another railroad classic.

corrected link to the wiki Serena, but it has a redirect link if you hit it.

ahhh, the forum system is cutting off the last ")" so cut and paste or just hit the redirect