Back To The Future Part 3 Locomotive

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Hi,
I was just wanting to know what type of steam locomotive was used in the movie Back To The Future.[:)]

Thanks for any replys,
[^]Nathan[:p]

2

It either belongs to Railtown 18?? in Ca., or it’s from a museum in eastern Oregon It was a 4-4-0 American[8D]

3

Yes, the loco was Sierra RR No. 3, a 4-6-0 at Railtown 1897 in California, where most of the filming took place. The loco that went off the end of the bridge, however, was a full size mock-up of No. 3.
HTH[8D]

4

What was the diesel that ran over the time machine at the end? I remember it had lots of lights out front.
Adrianspeeder

5

Yes it was a diesel that smacked the DeLorean, and it was a 2-6-0 or a 4-6-0 that is used in the climax pushing the Delorean and going over the cliff. I beleive NathanDavid is referring to Doc’s steam powered time machine that appears at the end of the film. That was a 4-6-0 type if I remember but I dont think it belongs to any museum, it was most likely built by the studio specifically for the film. I dont think ANY museum or tourist line would let a studio completely rebuild a loco for a film. If my memory serves me correct Universal studios has a full size steel and fiberglass locomotive that is used specificly for such movies, It even has a steam maker built in and a gas motor so it can move. Its been in a lot of movies and TV shows, usually just standing there in the background. Old Tuscon Film Studios also has a real old live steamer that would also be a candidate for this loco. I know its been rebuilt and repainted several times over the decades but I believe it’s a 4-4-0. I guess you’ll just have to rent the movie and read the credits, they always acknowledge parks, museums, etc. that are used in the movies.

6

Thanks for all the replys, the locomotive I was referring to was the locomotive that was used to pu***he DeLorean to 88mph. I didn`t think the Doc’s steam powered time machine was a real locomotive.

Thanks again,
Nathan David

7

Adrian-
It’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie, but IIRC the diesel was a Ventura County RR Alco S-6.

Also, the December '97 issue of TRAINS has an article on Railtown 1897, and the Sierra RR, and lists 4-6-0 No. 3 as the star of “Back to the Future III.”

HTH[8D]

8

If anyone watched the pilot (opening episode) of the new western show “The Peacemakers” on TNN (I think that’s the network), It featured an old shay steamer pulling a passenger/freight train.

9

Yeah I saw that. That was the only reason I watched.[:p]

10

Hi,
I was just wanting to know what type of steam locomotive was used in the movie Back To The Future.[:)]

Thanks for any replys,
[^]Nathan[:p]

11

It either belongs to Railtown 18?? in Ca., or it’s from a museum in eastern Oregon It was a 4-4-0 American[8D]

12

Yes, the loco was Sierra RR No. 3, a 4-6-0 at Railtown 1897 in California, where most of the filming took place. The loco that went off the end of the bridge, however, was a full size mock-up of No. 3.
HTH[8D]

13

What was the diesel that ran over the time machine at the end? I remember it had lots of lights out front.
Adrianspeeder

14

Yes it was a diesel that smacked the DeLorean, and it was a 2-6-0 or a 4-6-0 that is used in the climax pushing the Delorean and going over the cliff. I beleive NathanDavid is referring to Doc’s steam powered time machine that appears at the end of the film. That was a 4-6-0 type if I remember but I dont think it belongs to any museum, it was most likely built by the studio specifically for the film. I dont think ANY museum or tourist line would let a studio completely rebuild a loco for a film. If my memory serves me correct Universal studios has a full size steel and fiberglass locomotive that is used specificly for such movies, It even has a steam maker built in and a gas motor so it can move. Its been in a lot of movies and TV shows, usually just standing there in the background. Old Tuscon Film Studios also has a real old live steamer that would also be a candidate for this loco. I know its been rebuilt and repainted several times over the decades but I believe it’s a 4-4-0. I guess you’ll just have to rent the movie and read the credits, they always acknowledge parks, museums, etc. that are used in the movies.

15

Thanks for all the replys, the locomotive I was referring to was the locomotive that was used to pu***he DeLorean to 88mph. I didn`t think the Doc’s steam powered time machine was a real locomotive.

Thanks again,
Nathan David

16

Adrian-
It’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie, but IIRC the diesel was a Ventura County RR Alco S-6.

Also, the December '97 issue of TRAINS has an article on Railtown 1897, and the Sierra RR, and lists 4-6-0 No. 3 as the star of “Back to the Future III.”

HTH[8D]

17

If anyone watched the pilot (opening episode) of the new western show “The Peacemakers” on TNN (I think that’s the network), It featured an old shay steamer pulling a passenger/freight train.

18

Yeah I saw that. That was the only reason I watched.[:p]