(Source: Destination America press release, November 5, 2013)
SILVERSPRING, Md. — Following an elite crew of workers– brakemen, engineers, construction crews, mechanics and train drivers — Destination America’s new series, RAILROAD ALASKA illustrates the battle against ferocious weather and treacherous terrain to keep the State of Alaska’s critical 650-mile long railroad rolling to deliver life sustaining supplies. Homesteaders living miles from roads or towns and surrounded by wild animals – from bears to moose and wolves – can flag down the passenger train in the middle of nowhere to get what they need. But if the train doesn’t get through, they can be stranded without resources or help. Celebrating America’s last great pioneers who literally put life and limb on the line, RAILROAD ALASKA follows the dangers of living a cold and isolated life surrounded by dangerous beauty. From controlled avalanches to prevent catastrophe to fascinating characters, like Jim James, the one-handed handy man, learn what it takes to keep this train on track.
“RAILROAD ALASKA celebrates the romance of the railroad, which opened up opportunity and expansion in America,” said Marc Etkind, general manager, Destination America. “The characters highlighted in the series are all sacrificing their own safety to provide Alaska’s present day homesteaders their versions of the American Dream.”
The untamed north is no place for the faint of heart and RAILROAD ALASKA illustrates the impossible task of living and working in unbearable surroundings. The railroad crew works in miserable, freezing conditions, showing off their ingenuity and expertise to get the job done no matter what – because if the train doesn’t get though, the locals won’t get food, fuel or even get home. And viewers will get to meet fascinating people who live off-grid, away from society, as well as find out why they chose a life away from civilization and fully independent.
The line-up for the first three episodes of RAILROAD ALASKA is as follows:
• Frozen Danger Premieres Saturday, November 16 at 10 PM E/P An avalanche hits and blocks the track, delaying brakemen Danny Forsman and Lynn ‘Animal’ Reitz making a crucial delivery of snow removal equipment to Anchorage, while roadmaster Hugh Evans battles freezing temperatures to fix a broken rail and get propane and diesel through to off-grid settlers before they are frozen in.
• The Beast Premieres Saturday, November 30 at 10 PM E/P A devastating snowstorm blocks Alaska’s lifeline forcing Danny and Animal to bring out the Beast – a 67 ton snowplow – and race to clear the way for a freight train hauling vital diesel for the Port of Seward. Meanwhile, Hugh must make sure that the passenger train, carrying worried mom Nancy Wilson with supplies for her off-grid son John, makes it through to him and to elderly homesteaders, Mary and Clyde Lovel, who await an emergency generator.
• Killer Ice Premieres Saturday, November 23 at 10 PM E/P When ice and snow threatens to shut down the rails, pregnant off-gridder Amanda Simpson is left stranded. Brakemen Danny and Animal must transport $5 million worth of freight to Anchorage but wild moose and failing breaks may threaten their mission.
RAILROAD ALASKA is produced by Windfall Films.