Whistle in the Night

Whistle in the Night

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew

Status

Released

Release Date

Jul 30, 1947

Runtime

0h 15m

Genres

Documentary

Original Title

Whistle in the Night

Production Companies

Association of American Railroads

Director

Larry O'Reilly

Description

A look at post-war American railroads during their conversion to peace, operating under the handicap of little to no new equipment. It then looks at the plans for the future designed to provide swifter, safer and more comfortable traveling for the American public. Swifter is about all that is now left of the plans detailed in this 1947 short. The vast majority of the American public has no access to rail travel, all of the depots are gone, along with thousands and thousands of miles of track, and railroading is now a shipping service, mostly of truck trailers and containers. No complaints, other than most wish they could have at least kept the mournful, lonely and lovely sound of the old steam whistle. Diesel horns in the night have inspired very few songs or dreams. The essence of railroading, for older America, is captured in the title of this short.