Tom Willett (yonhope) Some reviewers are measuring the movie with calipers and are quick to point out that a train might not have the same kind of brakes as shown in the film. That does not matter at all. This is not a train. This is a movie. I would remind everyone that Superman cannot fly. He has no propulsion system. Dracula does not really turn into a bat. Star Wars did not really happen and it will not happen. These are movies for entertaining some viewers.This film has great camera work throughout. The acting is very believable. The casting is fine. There is a chick flick quality of soap opera mixed with sensational action and adventure scenes. Rob Lowe does many of his own stunt scenes. I did not watch it with a slide rule pondering each railroad error. I watched it to see the action and the huge scale of the explosive scenes. I don't worry if it is possible or impossible or likely or unlikely. Some people in California will get an idea from this what life might be like after an earthquake that destroys a major city. I will suggest it might not be a good movie for railroad employees to use as job training. If you like to watch a big long action film with a family, this is a superb choice.

WesternWildcard I have to agree with "lame, lame lame..., etal. 1. A major air leak would put the train into emergency and slow it to a stop. 2. Why would an NTSB investigator even board the train? Its not exactly like he possesses any special skills to mitigate the problem. Why not an accountant or journalist...it would make as much sense. 3. It was amazing how the railroad crew materialized immediately on site (in the middle of the Rockie Mountains) when the decision to install a derailer was made. 4. Finally, where is there 300+ miles of steep, continuous downgrade leading into Denver, Colorado...they would of had to be coming from the moon.

stanleymchale Here in the UK we have a channel called Five which is well known for showing rubbish films, especially during the day.So when I saw a film called Atomic Train scheduled on that very channel this afternoon, I could have been excused for fearing the worst.But Atomic Train is an outstanding production. I've always liked Rob Lowe's work, and in this instance he's again terrific.I've also been a fan of trains for many years and so a film that contained Mr Lowe and a freight train was already off on the right foot with me.But I couldn't have prepared myself for such a gripping ride. The set pieces are magnificent and certainly eek the best out of what must have been a substantial budget. The scenery and photography are also wonderful.In terms of structure, the film builds brilliantly, with an air of suspense filling the room as the train hurtles towards Denver. I can't recommend Atomic Train highly enough to fans of both trains and atomic weapons, but also to anyone wanting a hearty afternoon of pure escapism.I can't understand why people have scored the film poorly for being unrealistic. And yet, they wont say Terminator 2 is unrealistic. Which it is. More so. The chances of creating androids that can ride a motorbike are very slim, even in the future. And time travel? No. That's even more unrealistic. So before deciding to write Atomic Train off, why not consider this;At least trains exist. As do, unfortunately, atomic weapons. Therefore the film is quite realistic.

eustace-1 I'm late to this party; it just came on TV (actually, is on as I write) and I, unfortunately, tuned it in thinking it the least of many evils. Should have watched the Mayberry RFD marathon of episodes I've already seen 10 E3 times, including the original airings. At least they bring back memories of a simpler time, when we literally left our doors unlocked and didn't bat an eye at hitchhiking to Florida, not worried about being raped, sodomized, dismembered, and dropped in a 55 gallon drum off a bridge.This movie is execrable. Others have already pointed out the many, many, MANY, errors of fact. I will simply note that the basic premise of the movie itself, the runaway train due to lost air pressure, should have clued the producers before they read past the first five pages of this abomination of a script. It has been 135 years since Westinghouse patented his first air brake. This is NOT state of the art technology, and how any moron, even the cretins who produce made-for-TV movies, could base an entire movie's plot on this idea simply escapes me.Loved the cast, hated the maudlin shyte they had to spout to play their roles in this misbegotten, miserable mess. What a joke! Fortunately, after the first 15 minutes I realized that it was irredeemable and spent the remainder of the air time doing some much-needed cleaning out and organization of my email folders. It was (is) on mainly for background noise, although I must admit that I did give it my attention during the more spectacular moments, the only thing offered by this garbage, and those regrettably separated by the batcrap that passed for dialogue and character development and interaction. Oh, well, at least it was abridged for this showing. GOK what it must have been like to watch the whole bloody thing when it was released.