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Action Cult Classic

Sabotage sends two passenger trains hurtling toward disaster in this high-stakes TV thriller.

DISASTER ON THE COASTLINER

1979 · 1h 29m · PG · Action / Drama / TV Movie · IMDB TMDB

Seeking revenge, a railroad employee puts two passenger trains on a collision course in this made-for-TV disaster movie.

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Quick Answer

What is Disaster on the Coastliner about?

Disaster on the Coastliner is a 1979 American action drama TV movie directed by Richard C. Sarafian about a vengeful railroad employee who sets two passenger trains on a deadly collision course.

Programmer's Pick

From sabotage to helicopters, Disaster on the Coastliner checks all the boxes for a vintage disaster flick. Lloyd Bridges and William Shatner keep the drama on track—literally—while the looming train collision adds just the right kind of TV-movie tension.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Disaster on the Coastliner takes viewers into the tense world of American railroads, where a disgruntled employee decides to seek revenge in the most catastrophic way possible: by orchestrating a collision between two passenger trains. This made-for-TV disaster film delivers a blend of high-stakes action and dramatic suspense, as law enforcement and railroad workers scramble to prevent tragedy. With elements such as police helicopters, sabotage, and the looming threat of a runaway train, the film maintains an atmosphere of urgency. Anchored by a cast that includes Lloyd Bridges and William Shatner, it's a tightly wound drama primed for disaster movie enthusiasts.

Details & Specs

Director
Richard C. Sarafian
Writer
David Ambrose
Release
1979
Runtime
1h 29m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Action, Drama, TV Movie

Why This Matters

This made-for-TV action drama brought together an ensemble cast of notable actors and was broadcast as part of The ABC Sunday Night Movie in 1979, reflecting the era's trend of star-driven television event films.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Richard C. Sarafian Writer: David Ambrose
Lloyd Bridges Lloyd Bridges Al Mitchell Raymond Burr Raymond Burr Estes Hill Robert Fuller Robert Fuller Matt Leigh Pat Hingle Pat Hingle John Marsh E.G. Marshall E.G. Marshall Roy Snyder Yvette Mimieux Yvette Mimieux Paula Harvey William Shatner William Shatner Stuart Peters Paul L. Smith Paul L. Smith Jim Waterman / Victor Prescott Arthur Malet Arthur Malet Southbound Conductor Harry Caesar Harry Caesar Northbound Conductor Jacque Lynn Colton Jacque Lynn Colton Mrs. Shanks Lane Smith Lane Smith John Carlson Sandy McPeak Sandy McPeak Hennessey Virginia Kiser Virginia Kiser Rockne Tarkington Rockne Tarkington Michael Pataki Michael Pataki Tate Peter Jason Peter Jason LeBoux Peter MacLean Peter MacLean JA Jerry Ayres Talmadge Julie Mannix Julie Mannix Debbie Fox SJ Steve Jerro Al RP Ron Prince Detective DD Dago Dimster David CH Carole Hemingway Newscaster CG Carl Gordon Foreman Eric Poppick Eric Poppick Computer Expert Jason Ronard Jason Ronard Ellis HB Herbert Bress Bartender TM Tony Matranga Policeman NA Norman Alexander Gibbs Steward JW James W. Gavin Helicopter Pilot RR Ross Reynolds Helicopter Pilot

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Why Cult

Runaway Train Sabotage

A railroad worker's revenge plot sets two passenger trains on a collision course, ramping up the disaster movie stakes.

Star-Studded Cast

Lloyd Bridges and William Shatner headline the ensemble, bringing gravitas and charisma to the unfolding drama.

Helicopter Chases

From the skies above to the tracks below, helicopters play a pivotal role in this high-speed suspense scenario.

Made-for-TV Thrills

This 1979 TV movie delivers compact suspense and disaster hijinks with a uniquely late-70s television flavor.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Disaster on the Coastliner released? +

Disaster on the Coastliner was released in 1979.

Who directed Disaster on the Coastliner? +

Disaster on the Coastliner was directed by Richard C. Sarafian.

How long is Disaster on the Coastliner? +

Disaster on the Coastliner has a runtime of 89 minutes.

What genre is Disaster on the Coastliner? +

Disaster on the Coastliner is an action drama TV movie.

Trailers & Clips

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