Kids and Trains: The locomotives seen in “TrainMaster”

In 2008, an independent film about a runaway locomotive was released. Called Train Master, the film focuses around a group of kids, a 63 year old Engineer who is terminated after telling off his new boss, and a the Portland and Western Railroad. The film was shot on a budget of $350,000, using local actors and locations around Northwest Oregon. For full movie details, visit “Train Master” at imdb.com or click this link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995842/. The main locomotive used in the film is lettered for the Fictional “Willamette Western Railroad”

Several different locomotives were used in this film, Ranging from a a former Pittsburgh and Shawmut SW9, to former Santa Fe Railway GP39-2’s. Here are the Locomotives of “Train Master”

"Willimette Western RR 1201" is the Runaway Locomotive

When the bully of the film gets a hold of a Dinosaur, recovered after the kids get off the 1201, after playing on her, He holds the toy hostage, and forces the kids to come back to the railroad to recover it. The bully meets the children in the cab, and after he hands it over, he pulls the throttle back to notch 8, to start the runaway. The Locomotive is actually Willamette and Pacific SW9 #1201. She was built in October 1953 for the coal hauling Pittsburgh and Shawmut railroad in Pennsylvania. She carries EMD serial #18861 and frame #4244-2. Built as P&S #232, she toiled away in obscurity until the early 1970’s. It was during this time, America was gearing up for the  for the upcoming American Bi-Centennial. At the time, many railroads were painting locomotives in Red, White and Blue. The P&S was no exception. She was repainted into a Bicentennial scheme, and was given the road number #1866, and carried the name “Oliver Winchester.” After the celebration, the railroad adopted its Bicentennial scheme as the railroads official paint scheme, and the rest of the fleet was painted in the same colors, minus names and stars on the cab.  In 1996, the railroad was bought by the Gennesse and Wyoming family of shortlines. For another 8 years, the railroad operated as part of the G&W family, but during a re-structuring of the company, the railroad was absorbed by sister G&W railroad, the Buffalo and Pacific railroad in 2004. The locomotive came to W&P, also a G&W railroad in October of 2003 (approx date from what I gathered) and shortly there after, was transferred nearby to Portland and Western Railroad . The locomotive is still in service on the Portland and Western, and today, is 58 years old, making her one of the oldest locomotives in everyday service.

Here’s a Photo of the “WW 1201” in her Pittsburgh and Shawmut Bicentennial scheme:http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2191908

Here’s a photo of the 1201 as she looks today:                                                                                http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1110962

PNWR 3006 has a very diverse history.

The locomotive seen in the opening shots is Portland and Western EMD GP40 #3006. She has a very diverse history with many owners!  She was built at the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors La Grange, Illinois plant January, 1967. Built with Serial #32601 and Frame #7942-14, she was released from the plant in a solid Maroon paint for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. She carried the road number 375.  During her career with the Rock Island, she was renumbered to 3001.  The locomotive served the railroad in her original Factory paint until the railroad completely shut down on March 1st, 1980. This is where her history gets interesting. When the railroad shut down, the locomotive was stored at the Rock Islands main shop in Silvis, Illinois. After being stored, she was sold to the new Toronto commuter agency, GO Transit. Between 1982 and 1994, the Locomotive was used to haul commuters around the Toronto area. During her career as a passenger carrier, she carried the road number GOT 721. When sold by the agency, she went into a lease fleet. A lease fleet are locomotive for hire on an as-needed basis, like a Car Rental. She became EMDX 205. She was painted in a wonderful Maroon and Silver paint Scheme.  In 2001, EMDX became part of Locomotive Leasing Partners, and the locomotive became LLPX 3208. She stayed on with LLPX until sold to the St. Lawrence and Atlantic railroad in the Northeast. She became SLR #3208. When the SLR was bought by the W&P in 2006, she was immediately transferred to the Portland and Western Railroad, where she continues to operate to this day!

Here’s a Photo of PNWR 3006 for her Original Owner, the Rock Island:                              http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=762918

Here’s a photo of PNWR 3006 when she was owned by GO Transit:                                                    http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2812782

Here’s a photo of PNWR 3006 when she was owned by EMDX:                                                http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485568

Here’s a photo of PNWR 3006 when she was owned by the SLR (note the LLPX lettering under the number): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=92945

Here’s a photo of PNWR 3006 as she looks today:                                                                             http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=218113

Various other locomotives make random apperances, but these two locomotives are the main ones seen in the film. Its a great film for the children, and adults as well. You can find it on Amazon.com for as low as $9.95!

As always, if you have anything you want me to search, shoot me a message! The information is in the “Submitting Ideas” page! -Happy Railfanning!

 

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