Movie Railroad

The documentary film “Movie Railroad” and “Movie Railroad Days” was the result of Stan McInturf (owner Daylight Productions) visiting the sets of several television and motion picture productions filming on the Sierra Railroad. At the time Mr. McInturf was a member of the Hollywood Cameraman’s Union (IATSE 659). Most television and film production taking place on the Sierra involved union crews such as the cameraman’s union and other crafts. The union connection and the fact that Mr. McInturf personally knew many of the Sierra Railroad employees at the time gave him access onto sets that would be off limits to the general public.

With professional 16mm camera and sound recording equipment Daylight Productions recorded scenes centered around the use of steam locomotive Sierra Railroad #3 and the movie train consisting of the older wooden (shorty) coaches which appear much as they did when built in 1902. This classic movie train was in great demand for period television and movie production for many years.

Sierra Railroad number 3 was built by the Rogers Locomotive Works in Paterson New Jersey. The 4-6-0 ten wheeler rolled out of the erecting shop on March 26th, 1891 and today the engine is 128 years old and still in use.

On separate occasions Daylight Productions was on the set of television productions; “Little House on The Prairie” starring Michael Landon and also “Belle Star” with Elizabeth Montgomery in the starring role. Another oppurtunity allowed our camera to be on the set of “The Long Riders” starring the Carradine and Keach brothers which appeared in motion picture theaters. All of these productions required an authentic steam powered train from the late 1800’s to represent a specific period for the film or television series.

Not only did the Sierra Railroad have authentic steam powered period specific trains they also were blessed with locations along the line free of modern entrapments such as houses, industries and power poles. The remote locations also offered noise free shooting environments good for clean sound recording away from roads and the curious public. These were reasons that the Sierra Railroad was a favorite for the Hollywood film and television producers over a period of many years.

Encroaching development on private land adjacent to the railroad is making it less viable for motion picture and television work to happen today. Also Hollywood has been less interested in making period films especially those with a western theme. Shrinking budgets for television and film has also drastically reduced the call for steam powered period movie trains on the Sierra Railroad.

However you can still enjoy the television and motion picture crews at work recording period steam trains of the Sierra Railroad in “Movie Railroad” and “Movie Railroad Days”.