Trains in the Lone Ranger

[RobertInOntario]

I always like seeing movies with train scenes in them, especially if the movie revolves around them! Last night, my sons & I saw the Lone Ranger, which is such a movie.

There are several steam train scenes and I was trying to work out which were actual steam locos and what was computer animation. I think there was a lot of the latter, especially during some of the chase scenes near the end and also (near the beginning) when a steam engine went flying across the desert with its driving wheels turning!

We also frequently saw Jupiter and Constitution. I googled Jupiter and learned that a replica of the original was made in 1979, so perhaps that one is used in several scenes -- but is the Constitution a current, functioning engine as well? My son also said that he read that a steam engine was travelling across the US promoting this movie! I'll also do some more googling as well.

The close-up scenes, where the characters were running or riding alongside the engines, etc., sure looked & sounded real, although I realize that a lot can be done with animation these days.

Thanks, Rob