The Gambler (1980)
The Gambler (1980)
This TV movie starring Kenny Rogers filmed at Old Tucson in Arizona, where Virginia & Truckee's #11 "Reno" was stationed at the time.
The movie opens (as most movies should) with the steam engine pulling into town. This is the Reno (renumbered #8) pulling an unknown coach and V&T Coach #19. Coach #19 was completely destroyed in the 1995 fire at Old Tucson.
The Reno was badly burned in the same fire and today awaits funding for restoration and is on display at the depot in Virginia City, NV.
When we see the train underway, this is actually the former Dardanelle & Russellville #8, which at the time was at the Sierra Railroad in Jamestown, CA. It is pulling what appears to be Sierra's Coach #2. This engine has since ended up on permanent display at the Nevada State RR Museum in Carson City.
More traveling shots of the (then) Sierra #8 in Sonora County. Behind it is what I believe to be Sierra Coach #2 and V&T Coach #17. Coach #17 - "The Commissioner's Car" - was actually built in 1868 for the Central Pacific and is the only surviving rolling stock that was present at the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Point, UT. Today, it survives in a partially-restored state and is currently on display at the California State RR Museum in Sacramento.
Back to the Reno and V&T coaches at Old Tucson, where a young boy chases after Coach #19.
Once again the Sierra #8.
Back to the Reno as it pulls into another stop.
And finally arriving at the train depot at Old Tucson that was built for Joe Kidd. This set was destroyed in the 1995 fire.