One of the very finest railroad westerns, this one pits James Stewart against Audie Murphy in an epic showdown on the rails!

The opening scene shows Grant (Stewart) arriving to the end-of-line work camp in the Colorado mountains. This was shot on the Animas River in Cascade Canyon. Today, this is along the Durango & Silverton route and the Cascade Canyon train will stop for a picnic at this spot. In the distance, we catch our first choo-choo: D&RGW #478, which is still owned by Durango & Silverton and awaiting restoration. 

As Grant enters town (Silverton, CO), we can see D&RGW #476 and #478 behind him. Engine #476 led the picture train used in the film while Engine #478 was used to pull a production train with support crew. As he walks from Silverton depot toward Coach #306, we can see #476 behind him. This engine is still in use on the Durango & Silverton RR. 

Coach #306 has made many movie appearances and today resides at the Colorado RR Museum. The interior was reconstructed slightly wider on stage at Universal Studios. 

The train pulls away from Silverton depot. The picture train consisted of: Engine #476, Gondola #925, 2 flatcars, Combine #212, Baggage #126, a flatcar, Boxcar #3557 and Caboose #0586. The combine & baggage cars are still in use as concession cars at Durango & Silverton. The caboose is now at Georgetown Loop Railroad in Utah. 

We get some great scenic shots of the train in motion, but soon Concho (Robert J. Wilke) comes aboard and starts some trouble. The transfer was also filmed in Cascade Canyon at MP 475. The shots of him walking along the tops of the cars was just south of here near where Tank Creek meets the Animas. 

Grant and Joey (Brandon De Wilde) ride in one of the flatcars that they actually shot going over the High Line above the Animas River. This continues to be one of the most awe-inspiring sights along the Durango & Silverton route. 

Soon they decide to head inside Combine #212 (or a faithful recreation on stage). 

Some great shots of the train steaming along. These are likely along the route between Cascade Canyon & Silverton. 

But the Utica Kid (Murphy) and his boys have a dastardly surprise waiting - they've pulled down a water tower onto the tracks! This tower was constructed by the film crew high up on a ledge overlooking Shalona Lake. 

GPS Coordinates (approx): 37°29'15.9"N 107°48'15.5"W

Now it's time for Concho to make his move in the combine car!

The bandits manage to stop the train and get everyone off, where the Utica Kid keeps an eye from the roof of Combine #212. We also get a great look at Coach #306. This scene was filmed just south of the above location, between CO Road 250 & Highway 550. 

GPS Coordinates (approx): 37°28'14.3"N 107°48'23.8"W

Eventually the train makes its way back to the end of line camp in Cascade Canyon. Is that a Galloping Goose on the siding to the right?? While not exactly period accurate, seven of these were built for sightseeing back in the 1930s on the Rio Grande Southern. Goose #5 still operates from Durango to Cascade Canyon today. Geese #2, 6 & 7 all reside at the Colorado RR Museum. Goose #3 is at Knott's Berry Farm in CA. Goose #4 is now operational at Ridgway RR Museum in CO. 

The exciting final shootout at the abandoned mine way up on the hillside was filmed at Mayflower Mill, 2 miles NE of Silverton. Now a National Historic Landmark, it is open for self-guided tours. 

The conclusion takes place back at the RR camp at Cascade Canyon, then we see one final shot of the train going along the Animas River south of Silverton.