H. R. Giger's Ghost/Nightmare Train

Giger, H. R. Nightmare Train. Early 1990s. In Giger's possession, with Giger owning the rights to the 3-D model itself: scheduled for use in Giger's film THE MYSTERY OF SAN GOTTARDO, and pictured in a book of the film initially scheduled to be published in 1996, but possibly not out until 1998.

Described by Les Paul Robley as a "20-foot-long, five zoll (sic), fully working model" of a train of Giger's dreams, "whose teeth, vacuum hoses and tongues all functioned by way of rotating cams attached to the wheels" ([40]). Long planned, Giger executed this model for a proposed nightmare sequence in the film SPECIES (1995); it was not used. Note the train as another of Giger's biomechanical art objects, in this case combining a classic modernist locomotive with unmistakable tusks and teeth, and suggestions of exposed brain and intestines, plus Giger's Alien design: q.v. this Category; see under Drama ALIEN (film) and ALIENS (film). One shot was made, having the train "chasing young Sil," the alien creature in the form of a girl, played by Michelle Williams. See Les Paul Robley, "Ghost Train Nightmare," Cinefantastique 27.7 (March 1996): [39]-41, our source for this entry. The image of the train "chasing" the apparent girl images a biomechanical threat to the humanoid and, apparently, vulnerable.