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Down Bound Train
First edition bound in red cloth with silver lettering. A Fine copy in a Fine- dj. Jacket has very tiny rub mark near the head of the spine. Not a remainder copy.
- GenresHorror
189 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 13, 2009
Originally released in 1973 under the title “Down-Bound Train”, Bill Garnet’s first novel was later re-released in 1988 under the new title “Helltrain”. The novel is a simple pulp horror tale that uses basic ‘horror’ principles of a train bound for hell, and delivers the story in a fast-paced and intriguing way.
Garnett has created five ‘evil’ characters, which are each individually outlined at the beginning of the novel, and sets them on a train journey that ultimately ends in hell. First off you have a priest who’s disciplinary measures in an all boy’s catholic school, ends up killing a innocent school boy. Next is a career driven female who climbed the ladder in the advertising world using blackmail and falsely framing her boss. Then there’s the man who becomes a hit-man purely to afford his expensive lifestyle. Finally there’s the ten year old girl and her father. The girl has pure ‘evil’ running through her veins and after making a pact with Satan, decides to kill her mother. Her dad has become bored with life itself and has also been slowly trying to murder his wife (until his daughter finally finishes the job off for him).
With these characters stories all put down early on in the novel, the outcome is obvious from the very beginning. Yet Garnett has managed to produce an interesting scenario to the plot with his sometimes bizarre descriptive nature. The book was a joy to read, at times delivering such outrageous descriptions that it is difficult to put down. Running for a mere 186 pages, the book is a quick read that somehow keeps you glued to the pages. Garnett’s description of the priests eyes gleaming like rabbit turds, made me laugh out loud.
If you enjoy reading pulp / trash horror novels then this is one you’ll love to get your hands on. The style of writing is odd, but that gives the novel it’s own humorous charm. The book was published by St. Martin’s press and I think is well worth the few quid it will cost to buy. Great stuff...if you like that sort of thing!!!!
Garnett has created five ‘evil’ characters, which are each individually outlined at the beginning of the novel, and sets them on a train journey that ultimately ends in hell. First off you have a priest who’s disciplinary measures in an all boy’s catholic school, ends up killing a innocent school boy. Next is a career driven female who climbed the ladder in the advertising world using blackmail and falsely framing her boss. Then there’s the man who becomes a hit-man purely to afford his expensive lifestyle. Finally there’s the ten year old girl and her father. The girl has pure ‘evil’ running through her veins and after making a pact with Satan, decides to kill her mother. Her dad has become bored with life itself and has also been slowly trying to murder his wife (until his daughter finally finishes the job off for him).
With these characters stories all put down early on in the novel, the outcome is obvious from the very beginning. Yet Garnett has managed to produce an interesting scenario to the plot with his sometimes bizarre descriptive nature. The book was a joy to read, at times delivering such outrageous descriptions that it is difficult to put down. Running for a mere 186 pages, the book is a quick read that somehow keeps you glued to the pages. Garnett’s description of the priests eyes gleaming like rabbit turds, made me laugh out loud.
If you enjoy reading pulp / trash horror novels then this is one you’ll love to get your hands on. The style of writing is odd, but that gives the novel it’s own humorous charm. The book was published by St. Martin’s press and I think is well worth the few quid it will cost to buy. Great stuff...if you like that sort of thing!!!!
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August 21, 2021Some readers might find the methodical, episodic structure of DOWN BOUND TRAIN lacking suspense (after all, we do know where this particular luxury express is headed...), but once you realize it's essentially a '70s Amicus anthology horror movie in printed form, you can simply rest back in your seat and enjoy the scorched scenery. Our damned passengers' backstories aren't super horrific (with one notable adolescent exception) but they are engaging enough, and when the action commits fully to the frame tale aboard the Golden Arrow passenger car, things get pretty wild. Black auras, mysterious darkness, pulsing magenta light, and broken minds abound. Would have benefited from Peter Cushing's presence, but I suppose they left him behind at the station.
Also of interest here is how the marketing of the novel evolved over two decades. The classy 70s hardcover and paperback were eventually supplanted by a retitled and extremely garish St. Martin's paperback during the 80s horror boom. (Hop aboard the EXPRESSWAY TO YR SKULL, suckers!) Although the copyright page vaguely claims that HELLTRAIN is distinct from the "earlier version" published as DOWN BOUND TRAIN, a cursory inspection hints that they're identical. (If anyone has any information to the contrary, please let me know!)
Also of interest here is how the marketing of the novel evolved over two decades. The classy 70s hardcover and paperback were eventually supplanted by a retitled and extremely garish St. Martin's paperback during the 80s horror boom. (Hop aboard the EXPRESSWAY TO YR SKULL, suckers!) Although the copyright page vaguely claims that HELLTRAIN is distinct from the "earlier version" published as DOWN BOUND TRAIN, a cursory inspection hints that they're identical. (If anyone has any information to the contrary, please let me know!)
March 21, 2021
To be honest, this was an enjoyable read.
Yes, there’s a lot wrong with it. Men writing children in the past is a scary thing - the ten year old girl (I think Felicity was ten??) was associated with lust at several points in the book, which was creepier than anything. And obviously a book from 1973 is dated in its attitudes to gay people and career-focused women and women in general.
But I loved the setting of a train bound to hell. A creepy train where all the passengers disappear and the outside gets creepier and creepier? I loved that!
Could have done with the characters being a l-i-t-t-l-e less despicable, but they are on their way to the right place, I guess.
I enjoyed the writing style - it was fast paced and very easy to get through. I dunno this was just a fun trashy read, and just what I needed.
Yes, there’s a lot wrong with it. Men writing children in the past is a scary thing - the ten year old girl (I think Felicity was ten??) was associated with lust at several points in the book, which was creepier than anything. And obviously a book from 1973 is dated in its attitudes to gay people and career-focused women and women in general.
But I loved the setting of a train bound to hell. A creepy train where all the passengers disappear and the outside gets creepier and creepier? I loved that!
Could have done with the characters being a l-i-t-t-l-e less despicable, but they are on their way to the right place, I guess.
I enjoyed the writing style - it was fast paced and very easy to get through. I dunno this was just a fun trashy read, and just what I needed.
January 10, 2019
Classic pulp horror with that ensemble vibe of 70s and 80s movies. There’s a decent sense of dread that slowly grows around these characters and their situation. I enjoyed the hell out of this. ;-) I’d love to see a movie version of this one.
November 30, 2018
For a book with the title, HELLTRAIN, there is very little Hell. Super underwhelming conclusion. I mean...there is a train, I guess.
May 2, 2012
I recently picked up a used copy of this book. The book first explores the lives of five characters, all evil in some way. The darkest of these would be a little girl, Felicity. This little angel has only tortured pets and murdered her mother in her short 7 or 8 years on earth. Each of these characters end up on a train whose final destination is Hell. This story would have made a great "Night Gallery" episode and was written around the time that show was on the air. Might take a little searching to find this book as it is out of print. (originally posted on Amazon.com)
February 4, 2023
Regarding the cover my expectations were very high. Also the story started promising with a headmaster of a catholic school torturing a pupil. But then? Hard cut. Many strange characters appeared, some dialogue, a train ride into what? Somehow I lost my way in that confusing tale. It could have been horror wouldn't it been lost on the tracks. Classic old school cover. Thought every chapter it would get better... Well, the story though was not to my liking. Sorry. This was rather a miss...
April 3, 2021
Going to hell never seemed so boring.
In a sense I think I know what Garnett was going for, but at the same time, pointless pages of exposition and a lame conclusion made 189 pages feel twice as long.
Definitely disappointing.
In a sense I think I know what Garnett was going for, but at the same time, pointless pages of exposition and a lame conclusion made 189 pages feel twice as long.
Definitely disappointing.
May 23, 2020
I picked this book up at a second hand book shop and thought that I would have a go at it. It was not a stay out classic but it entertained me for a day or 2
June 22, 2025
Very boring the best bit was the beginning learning about the characters but even that got boring after a while.
December 17, 2020
Intriguing bunch of people who have done bad things in their lives ride a train where all the other passengers disappear and people will start to lose their minds. An incredibly evil child seemingly heading to hell where she belongs.
January 28, 2018
The basic whats to come is in the title. This book is only good to you if you care about character debelopment, and I do. I enjoyed the personalities of all 5 characters doomed to a fate in hell. We only get the telling of the voyage towards their fiery destination, but they all deserve to be there.
January 15, 2011
Quite cheesy in it's premise but I like cheese! Reminded of those ensemble horror movies from the 60s or 70s with Peter Cushing etc. Wonderful sense of building horror and the end is oddly unsettling...
Good fun!
Good fun!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews