This western epic about the real-life Johnson County War in Wyoming has an infamous history (that you can read about elsewhere). We're mainly concerned about the train scenes here...and they are stunning!

As James (Kris Kristofferson) heads west, we see a traveling shot featuring Great Western #75 carrying a full load of immigrants. The train was loaned to the production and taken to Montana for filming. 

Master cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond captures the smoky, grimy atmosphere as the steam engine pulls into town. 

Cully (Richard Masur) heads through the crowded depot to greet the train. This is inside the actual Northern Pacific depot in Wallace, ID. Today, it houses the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum at 219 6th Street. 

As we see outside "Casper, WY" we're looking out at Wallace, ID. You may be surprised if you visit this location today as it looks much different...the whole row of buildings in the background is now gone and replaced with a park that houses the depot museum - which was moved 200 feet across the river from its previous spot to make way for a new I-90 bypass in the early 1980s.  

I am not sure about the origin of the historic railcar used in this scene, but can we take a moment to appreciate the beautiful lighting??

As James exits the old wooden coach (renumbered #86), we catch anothe glimpse of the old brick buildings along Pine Street that no longer stand. Then he and Cully have a walk and talk alongside #75. 

A sweeping crane shot shows us downtown Wallace (facing south down 6th St. toward Pine). "Zindel's" gentleman's shop (NE corner of 6th & Pine) has since been torn down. 

The incredible "Sweetwater" town set was constructed at the north end of Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park (like much of the activity in this film - something that would NEVER happen today). This is roughly the site of the Two Medicine General Store in East Glacier Park. 

Cully runs out to catch the train again but it screams past, carrying a load of deputized killers to hunt down the "rustlers." He then returns to his office inside the depot.

Frank Canton (Sam Waterston) waits alongside GW #75 as Cully leaves the depot on horseback. 

Outside town, the troops unload and mount up to head out on their killing spree. Sadly, this is the last we see of the train.

Great Western #75 later moved to Washington State for excursion service then to Fillmore, CA for more movie work on the Fillmore & Western Railway. Today it's privately owned and occasionally operated at Hudson Terminal RR in CO.