The Phantom Express

The Phantom Express

Year: 1932

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: English

Director: Emory Johnson

RomanceMysteryDrama

Railroad foes cause terror on the tracks with the illusion of a ghost train.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Phantom Express (1932)

Trace every key event in The Phantom Express (1932) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Smokey's derailment incident

Smokey Nolan spots an oncoming train while driving his locomotive at high speed and slams on the brakes. The emergency stop triggers a derailment that claims several passenger lives. An investigation later cannot locate any trace of the phantom train that caused the disaster.

early in the film On the main line
2

Aftermath and firing

Following the derailment, investigators cannot pinpoint the source of the oncoming train. Smokey is fired for negligence as a result of the catastrophe. The tragedy casts a long shadow over his career and reputation.

shortly after Railway yard / offices
3

Midnight sale looming

Mr. Harrington announces a plan to sell the Southwest Pacific Railroad for a fraction of its value, triggering urgency among all parties. The signing of the papers is set for midnight, creating a ticking clock for those who might expose the plot. The central office becomes a focal point of high-stakes drama.

midnight Southwest Pacific Railroad central office
4

Bruce meets Carolyn

Bruce meets Carolyn Nolan and learns she is Smokey's daughter. They quickly form a bond and decide to team up, intrigued by the mystery surrounding the phantom express. Their alliance marks the beginning of a personal and investigative partnership.

shortly after Railroad grounds
5

A joint mission

Bruce and Carolyn resolve to travel together to uncover the truth behind the phantom train. They begin pursuing leads that hint at deliberate sabotage rather than a random accident. The duo's stake in the railroad's fate intensifies their commitment.

soon after Various railroad sites
6

The saboteur revealed

The investigators uncover that the president of a rival railroad has deliberately caused the accidents to drive down Southwest Pacific's stock price. The motive behind the manipulation is to enable a cheap purchase of the railroad's assets. The revelation reframes the entire crisis as a calculated scheme.

before the midnight signing Investigative setting
7

Rival's plan exposed

With the stock plummeting, the rival's plan to buy the railroad's rolling stock at a bargain price comes to light. The exposure heightens the urgency to act before the sale can go through. The plot thickens as financial pressure mounts.

before midnight Railroad offices
8

Storm disrupts communication

A fierce storm disrupts all forms of communication, hampering attempts to warn Harrington in time. Bruce's telegraph messages fail to get through due to the weather, increasing the risk of a doomed signing.

during the storm Storm-threatened countryside
9

Emergency rescue plan

Bruce decides that the only way to stop the signing is to re-activate train 101. He reaches out to Smokey, pulling him out of retirement to head toward the central office and thwart the rogue plan. The plan hinges on a desperate, last-minute rescue.

before midnight Train yard / locomotive shed
10

The perilous journey

Train 101 races through floods and landslides across the storm-swept countryside. The crew battles nature as they push toward the central office to intervene before the clock runs out. The journey is a test of nerve and resolve.

during the journey Storm-swept countryside
11

Revelation at the central office

Bruce arrives just as the papers are about to be signed and unveils the rival's plot. He explains how the decoy engine with headlights was used to misdirect Smokey and set up a fatal miscalculation. The deception is laid bare and the signing is thwarted.

midnight Central office
12

Love on the rails

Over the course of their investigation, Bruce and Carolyn fall in love and decide to marry. Their bond deepens as they confront danger and deception side by side. Their wedding culminates in a honeymoon spent aboard the very train that sparked their adventure.

after resolution On the train

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:31

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Phantom Express

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