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Question about trains and their role in Bond films, especially Goldeneye

gumboltgumbolt Now with in-office photocopier
in Bond Movies Posts: 153
I read on the news today that the first ever train journey from China to Britain has taken place (over 18 days and via the channel tunnel). The article mentioned something I forgot that I knew - that the former Soviet and some other Eastern European countries have differently sized rail tracks that means you need to have adapted or adaptable carriages to travel from the Western and other systems onto theirs. I remember seeing the process on one of Michael Palin's travel series.
Now - I think that the "train vs tank" sequence in Goldeneye was actually filmed in the UK but set in Russia. So does that mean that the train tracks in that sequence are too small for a Russian line?
The same issue might crop up in FRWL during the tense rail journey but I think we need someone with a passion for both trains and Bond to consider that one. Hopefully someone in the know can answer my query.

Comments

  • barryt007barryt007
    edited January 2017 Posts: 19,339
    Aaaah the China to Barking train....amazingly bizarre !

    Oh and the GE Russian train was indeed actually in England.
  • MrcogginsMrcoggins Following in the footsteps of Quentin Quigley.
    edited January 2017 Posts: 3,144
    The Tank v Train was indeed filmed in the uk at the Neen Valley Railway the Loco that was used was a BR class 20 with modifications ! That used to run on the Severn Valley Railway until it was purchased by EON for the filming
    I will have to look up the correct gauge of the track for what was Russian State Railways but I will get back to you with the answer.
    A little tit bit about the filming
    http://www.espmag.co.uk/nene-valleys-goldeneye-mission-20-years-on/

    Also this might help you with your question regarding difference in gauges

    http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/first-china-to-uk-rail-freight-service-arrives-in-london.html

    No change of gauge on the Orient Exprees

    https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/movies/frwl_locations.php3
    Let me know if you need any more info.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    @Mrcoggins is the man for this thread!

  • MrcogginsMrcoggins Following in the footsteps of Quentin Quigley.
    Posts: 3,144
    Thanks Draggers .
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    With my commute every day the word 'train' drives me mad !!
  • MrcogginsMrcoggins Following in the footsteps of Quentin Quigley.
    Posts: 3,144
    Southern ! by any chance Barry .
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    Close...Thamestink.....oh the stress ,in the wallet and the mind !! ...grrrrrr
  • vzokvzok
    Posts: 4,044
    Nene Valley was also used for the Octopussy train scenes.

    Any gauge issues between UK and Germany?
  • MrcogginsMrcoggins Following in the footsteps of Quentin Quigley.
    Posts: 3,144
    vzok wrote: »
    Nene Valley was also used for the Octopussy train scenes.

    Any gauge issues between UK and Germany?

    Yes it was @ vzok.
    And no change of gauge betwine UK and German Railways.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    edited January 2017 Posts: 4,116
    They filmed in UK because kicked out of Russia when authorities read about tank sequence. That's why recreated St Petersburg in UK.

    I don't recall the size of the tracks playing any part of the decision.


    Also I believe why released at Christmas and not summer. Delayed due to having to recreate all that.
  • BMW_with_missilesBMW_with_missiles All the usual refinements.
    Posts: 3,000
    mcdonbb wrote: »
    They filmed in UK because kicked out of Russia when authorities read about tank sequence. That's why recreated St Petersburg in UK.

    I don't recall the size of the tracks playing any part of the decision.


    Also I believe why released at Christmas and not summer. Delayed due to having to recreate all that.

    That's very interesting. I didn't know that.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    BMW_with_missiles wrote: »
    mcdonbb wrote: »
    They filmed in UK because kicked out of Russia when authorities read about tank sequence. That's why recreated St Petersburg in UK.

    I don't recall the size of the tracks playing any part of the decision.


    Also I believe why released at Christmas and not summer. Delayed due to having to recreate all that.

    That's very interesting. I didn't know that.

    I may be wrong but I remember my heart sinking when I read that the film was being delayed.

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