Time Express

1 9 7 9 (USA)
4 x 60 minute episodes

This four-week limited-run sci-fi fantasy series from CBS was set aboard a mysterious train on which passengers personally selected by “The Head of the Line” were given the opportunity to return to a critical moment in their past.

The individuals showed up at Los Angeles Union Station and were directed by a cryptic old ticket agent (Woodrow Parfrey) to an unused track (Gate Y, Track 13) where a gleaming gold train awaited, wreathed in dry ice vapours.

The train was operated by engineer E. Patrick Callahan (William Edward Phipps) and conductor Robert Jefferson (R.J.) Walker (James Reynolds), both of whom had been killed 100 years ago when their train ran off a bridge and into a river.

Settled in burnished compartments of old mahogany and brass and outfitted with clothes appropriate to the time they were about to visit, passengers were greeted by charming onboard hosts, Jason and Margaret Winters (played by Vincent Price and his real-life wife, Australian actress Coral Browne).

Travelling back in time, they would then relive the incident, potentially changing future events, and then return by train to the present, where the implications of the changes would be revealed.

Each of the four episodes contained two self-contained stories. The stories were second-rate Rod Serling at best, but the characters were well-minted, and the dialogue was clever.

Guest stars included Morgan Fairchild, Terri Nunn, Jerry Stiller, Lee Meriwether, James MacArthur, Lyle Waggoner and Vic Tayback.

Jason Winters
Vincent Price
Maggie Winters
Coral Browne
Ticket Agent
Woodrow Parfrey
E. Patrick Callahan
William Phipps
R.J. (Robert Jefferson) Walker
James Reynolds

Episodes

The Garbage Man/The Doctor’s Wife | The Figure Skater/The Copywriter’s Romance | Rodeo/Cop | Death/The Boxer

Video