TVRM provided one long day of filming in March 2007 for Leatherheads. Any shot which includes an operating steam locomotive was filmed in Chattanooga. All the other "train scenes" were completed in North Carolina using equipment that was "style matched" with TVRM rolling stock. NCTM provided the equipment (including SR 542 masquerading as 604 while using the latter's tender.) Filming was at Historic Salisbury Depot and along the Yadkin Valley Railroad. In-movement scenes in North Carolina were shot as to hide shortline diesel power. BTW: All other filming was done in South Carolina where the movie was basecamped. Orginally scheduled to be released in December 2007, reportedly some final filming had to be done in New Jersey (remember when Clooney wrecked a rented motorcyle?) and therefore it pushed the release date back. This, however, allowed the production to air an ad during the Superbowl.

http://www.leatherheadsmovie.com (click "watch the trailer")

Check out #610 rolling across Chickamauga Creek with movie lighting illuminating the smoke. The crew's camera was mounted upon a city-owned sewer line traversing the creek!

The first scene filmed at TVRM was of Mr. Clooney sticking his head out of a coach window as the train rounded a curve. (Surely a great view with 610 blasting away up ahead.) We set up for the shot with the camera mounted in a vestibule looking forward and told Paul Brock to let 610 roll. The film crew was happy with the footage which torpedoed my chance to take a still photo of the scene on the second "take." All other scenes that day were filmed multiple times, including the bridge shot which was done in many takes as the sky went from dusk to dark. I hope they use the final location of filming as it was done around midnight with all kinds of special lighting while 610 steamed past some vintage cars and trucks at what they'd have you believe is a rural crossing in the middle of nowhere (it's actually in the middle of a neighborhood.)

Chattanooga coverage: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103550.asp

Come ride the Leatherheads train at TVRM!