Disaster Films on Rail Transport: A Thrilling Ride

Description: This classic film tells the story of a group of hijackers who take control of a New York City subway train, demanding a hefty ransom. It's a tense, nail-biting thriller that showcases the vulnerability of public transport systems.

Fact: The film was remade in 2009 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The original's director, Joseph Sargent, was known for his work in television before this film.

Description: A train carrying passengers infected with a deadly virus is rerouted to an old bridge known as the Cassandra Crossing, which is set to collapse. The film explores themes of survival and moral dilemmas.

Fact: The film features an international cast including Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, and Ava Gardner. The Cassandra Crossing bridge was a fictional creation for the film.

Description: A mix of comedy and thriller, this film involves a murder mystery aboard a train, with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor teaming up to solve the crime while the train faces various disasters.

Fact: This was the first of four films to feature Wilder and Pryor together. The film's climax involves a train crashing into a river, a scene that was quite ambitious for its time.

Description: Based on the real-life 1963 Great Train Robbery, this film focuses on the planning and execution of the heist, with the train itself becoming a central character in the unfolding drama.

Fact: The film was directed by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the novel on which it was based.

Description: Two escaped convicts board a freight train that becomes a runaway, hurtling towards disaster. This film explores themes of freedom, survival, and human nature against the backdrop of an out-of-control train.

Fact: The film was directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director. It was also one of the last films to feature Jon Voight and Eric Roberts together.

Description: Inspired by true events, this film follows a runaway freight train carrying hazardous chemicals, with two railroad employees racing to stop it before it causes a catastrophe. It's a high-octane ride with Tony Scott's signature style.

Fact: The film was based on the real-life CSX 8888 incident, where a train ran uncontrolled for over 65 miles. The movie's ending was changed for dramatic effect.

Description: Liam Neeson stars as an insurance salesman caught in a criminal conspiracy on his daily train commute. The film blends action with a mystery that unfolds on a moving train.

Fact: The film was shot on the actual Long Island Rail Road, providing an authentic backdrop for the story.

Description: While not a traditional disaster film, this British comedy-horror involves passengers stranded at a station due to a supposed ghost train, leading to a series of comedic and suspenseful events.

Fact: The film was based on a play by Arnold Ridley, who later became known for playing Private Godfrey in the TV series "Dad's Army."

Description: This adventure game turned into a film tells the story of a journey on the Orient Express in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I, involving espionage and political intrigue.

Fact: The game was developed by Smoking Car Productions, and its narrative was so well-received that it was adapted into a film.

Description: A Japanese film about a terrorist who plants a bomb on the Shinkansen bullet train, with the countdown to disaster ticking away as the train speeds towards its destination.

Fact: The film was remade in 2015 as "The Bullet Train" with a modern twist on the original story.