Supertrain
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Supertrain
 | |
|---|---|
| Episodes: | 9 |
| Year: | 1979 |
| Country: | United States |
| Seasons: | 1 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 9 |
| Category: | Technology |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | Dan Curtis Productions and NBC Productions |
| Creator: | Donald E. Westlake and Earl W. Wallace |
| Run Time (mins): | 45-48 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | NBC |
| First Aired: | February 7, 1979 |
| Last Aired: | May 5, 1979 |
Summary
The series is set aboard the Supertrain, a nuclear‑powered, high‑speed passenger train designed with amenities more commonly associated with an ocean‑going cruise vessel. The train incorporates facilities such as a swimming pool, retail arcades, a gymnasium, a library, a medical centre, and a discotheque. Its size necessitates the use of an unusually broad‑gauge track. Although engineered for a maximum speed of 250 mph (400 km/h) and operating at a cruising speed of approximately 190 mph (310 km/h), the Supertrain requires 36 hours to travel between New York City and Los Angeles. This equates to an average speed of roughly 78 mph (126 km/h), slower than services such as Amtrak’s Acela Express and significantly below the performance of contemporary European and Asian high‑speed rail systems. Early episodes establish that the train does not operate a direct transcontinental route, making scheduled stops in Chicago, Denver, and an unnamed location in Texas.
The series adopts a narrative format similar to that of its contemporary The Love Boat, with storylines centred on the social interactions and personal dramas of the passengers, typically presented through multiple interwoven plots. A 1979 review in Variety characterised the production as a "Love Boat on wheels, which has yet to get on track," reflecting early critical reception. Most episode casts consisted predominantly of guest stars, with regular characters serving primarily as framing figures. The production itself was notably ambitious, employing extensive studio sets and two advanced model trains for exterior sequences.
Cast
Dr. Dan Lewis ROBERT ALDA, Conductor Harry Flood EDWARD ANDREWS, Wayne Randall JOEY ARESCO, Robert, the hairdresser CHARLES BRILL, Dave Noonan PATRICK COLLINS, Bartender Lou Atkins MICHAEL DELANO, Social Director Penny Whitaker ILENE GRAFF, Wally BILL NUCKOLS, Porter George Boone HARRISON PAGE, Engineer T.C. ANTHONY PALMER, Rose Casey NITA TALBOT, Gilda AARIKA WELLS.
Tags: Technology, United States, 1979, English
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