MovieChat Forums > The French Connection (1971) Discussion > Runaway Train Question

Runaway Train Question

posted 10 years ago by micirisi
4 replies | jump to latest

Possible Spoilers, I know... it's an ancient movie but don't wanna get anyone upset. The sniper gets on board the subway/train and takes command of the engineer who after incapacitated runs the train into the next non moving train. It seems there was some type of automatic braking mechanism to slow the moving train prior to crash thus minimizing damage. Just wondering what it was and if real?

He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. Guy was an interior decorator.

[–] mingusal 9 years ago

The train blows through a red signal, which causes it to engage an automatic emergency "trip stop" switch that is designed to activate the brakes and stop the train. You can see the wheels lock up in a shower of sparks shortly before it hits the stopped train. This is a real safety feature of the NYC subway system (and I think most other older subway systems) to this day.

[–] micirisi 9 years ago

Thanks.

He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. Guy was an interior decorator.

[–] EliteData 9 years ago

could have simply pulled the emergency brake.

[–] wrfarley 9 years ago

While the "Deadman's brake" does engage, you should also note that the motorman collapsed onto the accelerator.

According to imdb's trivia, the motorman, William Coke, actually died of a heart attack while operating a train in the train yard.