Just saw that Unstoppable movie. I it was Fun, but I had a couple of questions regarding some of the events.
-Would the run-a-way train really blast through the portable De-rail like that?
-Wouldn’t the train derail just like those 2 units on the lead that they tried to slow the run-a-way train with? They were routing the train to the siding …right? It continued on the main.
Thanks
Donald
Conrail modeler
If you expect accuracy, never watch a movie about any subject about which you have technical knowledge.
Movies are not written for accuracy, they are written to be interesting and sometimes exciting.
Wouldn’t the train derail just like those 2 units on the lead that they tried to slow the run-a-way train with? They were routing the train to the siding …right? It continued on the main.
Yes the run away would have followed the 2 SD40s into the siding since locomotives can’t throw switches…
If there was a derailment or not from the speed is open for debate.That look like a medium speed switch to my eyes.
Yeah, I got the DVD last week, & saw it for the first time, with my Dad, Sis, & her Boyfriend. I got a lot of PO’d looks when I “LOL’d” during many of the scenes… I have #767 AC4400 in the paint stipper tank, & have added details to #777 already, as I was going to paint that model first to measure & mask off 767 properly for the two tone scheme. I also have began an SD40-2, …well here it is… Perhaps the extra 2000HP comes from that nice nose light!!! (the complete writeup on this model was in a WPF a few weeks ago).
After the movie (which went quickly) I was not as excited to finish my modeling efforts… However, I will, cuz other people like them & thought they are pretty cool. I read somewhere that SD40-2 #1206 is still pulling out east, so it is viable…
I just watched the movie and enjoyed it overall. There were some things that had me scratching my head.
Other than the parts already mentioned, I found the part of the covered hopper “blowing a seal” and spilling grain kind of weird.
The other thing was at the very beginning of starting up the GE unit and the sound is an EMD 645 starting, but the general audience doesn’t know that.
I got the DVD and enjoyed it. Movie was inspired by true events not totally based on them. Take it for what it is, it’s Hollywood and as always full of poetic license. Going through the commentary and making of the film extras on the DVD I found it interesting that they used as little as possible computer graphics primarily due to the director who prefers the real thing. No doubt the scene of the train tipping on the curve was computer generated. In real life you can pick the film apart starting with all of the safety violations, but again as they “It’s only a movie”.
Link to YouTube from Channel 5 in Kenton, Ohio of CSX engine 8888 that inspired the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vN6jX4S8v8. They actaully did try to shot the fuel stop button on the engine. The train traveled about 70 miles before someone was able to get on board to stop it.
I got the movie the day it came out on Blu Ray and it was pretty good… not the best Denzel Washington movie but it was good to see a modern day train movie. The special features were really good and I am glad they did not do much if any CG .
A railfan or model railroader watching Unstoppable now knows what it is like for police, lawyers, doctors, musicians, scientists, and the list goes on and on, to watch movies about what they do.
But hey. I was never bored.
Dave Nelson
The first two engines derailed and flipped because they were going too fast for the switch. The runaway stayed on the main becausethe dispatcher changed his mind and threw the switch as the first two engines cleared the points.
I found the movie enjoyable even though there were plenty of obvious stretches.
For one, when they hooked up to the back of the train, why not reach down and connect the air hoses while he was down there?
When the train hit the curve in Stanton the wheels on one side lifted off of the rails. Got to love that one.LOL.
In the beginning the controls moved a full length by itself. Must have been a haunted train.
True words
The same can be said about stories in the news! 
Pure unbelievable fantasy. I could not suspend disbelief long enough for the trailer on TV. I know the real story.
Rich
I not only know the true story but,I seen the runaway as it rolled by Kenton…Still a interesting movie that should be enjoyed for what it is-a action movie.
It doesn’t work that way. There all sorts of lock outs if something is occupying the circuit or approaching the circuit, timers to run down, yadda, yadda, yadda.
If there was 5 minurtes spacing between when the first set cleared the switch and the second set, then maybe. If they were nose to tail, no way.
You mean to tell me that most of the scenes in this movie are over the top! I am so distraught, I guess Transformers is not real either. Guess my dream to become a Jedi is in the tanker as well!!
Real story of what? These events never happened.
The movie was “based” on a CSX (exCR) SD40-2 8888 that became a run away out of Stanley Yard in Toledo…
http://kohlin.com/CSX8888/z-final-report.htm
The facts was muddeled Hollywood style in the movie.
They say that, but their so divergent that you can’t really say they’re even comparable any more. The only thing in common with them is a runaway train in the modern era. “Inspired by” is more apt than based on.
steemtrayn:
The first two engines derailed and flipped because they were going too fast for the switch. The runaway stayed on the main becausethe dispatcher changed his mind and threw the switch as the first two engines cleared the points.
It doesn’t work that way. There all sorts of lock outs if something is occupying the circuit or approaching the circuit, timers to run down, yadda, yadda, yadda.
If there was 5 minurtes spacing between when the first set cleared the switch and the second set, then maybe. If they were nose to tail, no way
Yeah yeah yeah…I know that. I guess I shoulda ended my post with “according to the plot”…
Obviously, you’ve never tried hooking up an air hose.