Why Hollywood Needs More Train Disaster Movies

Who doesn't enjoy a couple of hours of big and silly action? Well some people probably... but the rest of us who sometimes like to disengage our brain and enjoy are always right at home with a train disaster film. What makes this kind of movie so great is that there is always an against the clock feel that pushes the story along. For those of us who grew up with Thomas the Tank Engine and his group of other talking friends (before CG ruined it!) we are accustomed to things going wrong on the rails.

Sadly this type of film is only seldom seen these days, which is a shame because it makes for a explosive feel as a pair of brave men struggle to keep the old girl on the rails. Here are some examples of what makes this genre so great.

Runaway Train (1985) 

Under the stewardship of Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, this 1980's effort still ranks as one of the most under-rated and thrilling action movies of the decade. The story revolves around notorious and violent criminal Manny (Jon Voight) escaping jail along with naive accomplice Buck (Eric Roberts). When they board a departing train, all seemed to set succeed only the old engine pops his clogs immediately upon departure- with no way of stopping the train! The impending disaster succeeds in elevating our sympathy for this pair of unlikeable characters and until the bitter end we are sat tensely in our seat.

Unstoppable (2010) 

One of the final movies of the well loved Tony Scott's careers, this movie saw thrills and spills by the bucket load. When a reckless rail employee (Ethan Suplee) lets a 39 car train speed onto the main line, it is left up to veteran engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) and newbie conductor Will Coulson (Chris Pine) to chase it down before it heads for disaster! Ridley's brother never always wowed critics, but his movies always provided get actions and this effort was one his fans could be proud of, particularly the closing stages as Engine 1206 speeds off in reverse to prevent lives from  being taken.

Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) 

While not strictly a train disaster movie, David Lean's classic movie is essential a big countdown clock until the major event. The allies are planning to blow up the bridge that the conflicted British officer Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) has toiled to build. The moments before the explosion hits are still heart stopping to this day as all manner of unseen obstacles seem to get in the way. But the demolition sequence is still a visual wonder and as we see the engine plummet to earth, you still have the urge to cheer loudly! And to think... the production team spent 8 months building it!