The Marx Brothers take on the western genre in this goofball comedy featuring some great steam train action. 

The "Cripple Creek" depot was filmed somewhere along the Sierra Railroad line. It was either an old depot that no longer exists or built specifically for the film. A piece of it appears in the establishing shot of the town, but there are enough small differences between the shots that I believe the latter is a different location (definitely a backlot somewhere). 

The scene of Groucho trying to flag down the passing stagecoach was filmed at Red Rock Canyon State Park north of Lancaster, CA. This particular spot is on the Hagen Canyon Nature Trail. The riverbed has changed the foreground landscape considerably over time. 

GPS Coordinates: 35°21'41.2"N 117°59'14.0"W

Finally we catch a steam engine - the "NY & WRR #32" was played by a 2-8-0 Baldwin from 1906, Sierra Railroad's #18. After starring in just as many (maybe even more) productions than Sierra's famous #3, #18 was sold into private ownership and sat stored outdoors in Oregon for decades exposed to the elements. The tender was scrapped in 1955.  In 2022, #18 was sold off as part of the Kepner collection - hopefully to somebody who will give her the care she needs!

What may surprise you however, is that the Marx Brothers hardly even stepped foot on the Sierra RR (if at all). The engine's cab and tender where faithfully recreated and shot on stage at MGM using rear-projection. 

The scene where the young couple tries to catch up with the passing train was filmed at Sierra's since-demolished Chinese Camp depot. 

GPS Coordinates: 37°52'47.4"N 120°27'28.0"W

We are treated to some great footage of the passenger train steaming along. The consist appears to be: #17 baggage express car, #24 & #19 passenger coaches and #10 combine car. It is likely these are all repainted Sierra cars, but I've yet to figure out which ones they are. 

Some great views of the passenger cars as the boys take a ride around a signal. 

The scene with Harpo holding the train together was also shot on a rear-projection stage at MGM with replica cars. 

The latter half of the film involves the bad guys making off with a horse cart while the Marx boys in hot pursuit in #32. 

When the crafty villains pull up a section of track, it sends the train off the tracks and through a farm. At this point, Pickering Lumber Company's Heisler #4 was redressed (not so convincingly) and filmed on a circular track west of Jamestown. The fate of this engine is unknown but likely scrapped. 

As we get back on track, #18 takes over again, then back to the Heisler for the trestle shots, then back to #18...

The final scene - a parody of the Golden Spike Ceremony, features an unidentified engine and Virginia & Truckee's #22 "Inyo" (which Groucho is standing on). This engine has been beautifully maintained in operating condition at the Nevada State RR Museum in Carson City, NV.