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“Unstoppable” scene heats up Emporium |
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Written by Publisher
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Saturday, 10 October 2009 |
 This massive explosion was part of a scene filmed in downtown Emporium on Wednesday afternoon for the upcoming train action movie, “Unstoppable,” starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine.
By Amy Cherry
Staff Writer
The much talked about “Unstoppable” train action movie, currently being filmed throughout Cameron County, recently had one of its biggest production days during a scene involving a massive explosion.
Crowds gathered throughout the day in anticipation of catching a glimpse of the live scene involving a train passing by two overturned rail cars, all the while two helicopters hovered above the scene.
The scene was filmed off of state Route 120, next to the Rite Aid Pharmacy and Portage Street.
The story follows a rail company in a race against time as they frantically attempt to stop an unmanned freight train carrying enough combustible liquids and poisonous gas to wipe out a nearby city, speculated to be Pittsburgh.
The plot of the movie centers on Denzel Washington’s role as a soon-to-be laid off train engineer due to company cuts. Chris Pine, hot off his performance as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, plays a rookie conductor hired to replace Washington. Rosario Dawson is also said to be starring in the movie.
Area residents waited in the rain to see Hollywood movie magic in action, all the while perched on porches, peering out windows and lining sidewalks.
Two dry runs took place prior to the final take, filmed just before 3 p.m.
The two helicopter pilots are said to be Vietnam veterans flew threw smoke and hovered over nearby crowds. One helicopter appeared to be filming the scene while the second was utilized as a prop designed as a news helicopter. Following the explosion the news helicopter seemed to dive into the black smoke emulating from the wrecked rail cars.
The massive explosion was detonated in two quick bursts, a small one followed by a large show of bright orange flames and black smoke.
During the scene firefighters from the Emporium and Crystal Fire Departments were on hand for safety precautions. Micale Construction’s equipment was utilized as well.
The train has supposedly traveled 70 miles and nearly two hours with no one at the controls before rail workers are able to slow it down by latching a second engine to the end of the train and applying the brakes. While two of the train's tank cars contain thousands of gallons of the hazardous material molten phenol acid, the runaway train itself is considered more of a threat than the chemicals on board.
The 27-car train shown passing through the explosion, measures half-a-mile long with railcars painted with fictitious industry names on them. Movie magic was used in creating large metal tubes made of cardboard which are shown as freight on two open air cars.
The Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. movie is being directed by Tony Scott and screenwriter Mark Bomback. Scott recently directed another train action movie, “The Taking of Pelham 123,” also starring Washington along with John Travolta. Washington has starred in five of Scott’s movies. Scott is also credited with directing such movies as “Crimson Tide," "Top Gun," "Enemy of the State," "Beverly Hills Cops II" and "III."
The movie will continue to be filmed throughout northwest Pennsylvania as crews travel to Tyrone, shooting along the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad Line. Filming is also slated to take place in Pittsburgh.
“Unstoppable” is set for release in November 2010.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 October 2009 )
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