Railroad Alaska (2013–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Frozen Danger - full transcript

ALASKA.

A HARDCORE CREW BATTLE
BRUTAL CONDITIONS...

WE'RE IN A PRIMAL STRUGGLE
AGAINST MOTHER NATURE.

...TO KEEP
A VITAL SUPPLY LINE ROLLING.

YOU KNOW,
ANYBODY THAT SAYS THEY AIN'T SCARED, WELL,

THEY'RE KIND OF STUPID.

THE ALASKA RAILROAD.

IF YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN,
YOU'RE ASKING FOR IT.

CUT OFF
FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD,

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY
TO GET FOOD AND FREIGHT

TO THE REMOTE SETTLERS
WHO LIVE HERE.



LIVING OUT HERE,

THE ALASKA RAILROAD'S
DAMNED IMPORTANT.

YOU'RE IN A LIFE-AND-DEATH
SITUATION.

PEOPLE PAY A PRICE
TO LIVE OUT IN THE WOODS.

ALL ABOARD!

CLEAR, READY TO FIRE!

SURVIVAL IS AT STAKE...

HERE IT IS.

...AS A DEADLY AVALANCHE...

HOLY ****
THAT'S BIG.

NOTHING CAN
GET THROUGH THERE NOW.

...AND DANGER OF DERAILMENT...

SON OF A ****

WE NEED
TO GET THIS DONE ASAP.



...RISK SHUTTING DOWN
ALASKA'S LIFELINE.

I HOPE TO HELL
THEY GET DOWN HERE,

'CAUSE I'M FREEZING
TO DEATH.

THE PORT OF WHITTIER.

IT'S 9:00 A.M.

A BARGE CARRYING RAILCARS

LOADED WITH $30 MILLION WORTH
OF FREIGHT IS DOCKING.

RAIL CREW DANNY AND "ANIMAL" ARE
EAGER TO GET THE FREIGHT CARS

OFF THE BARGE
SO THEY CAN BUILD THEIR TRAIN.

ALL RIGHT, GUYS,
IT'S 34 DEGREES OUT.

THEY GOT FOUR TO SIX INCHES
ACCUMULATION FORECAST,

BUT I THINK WE'RE GONNA GET
MORE THAN THAT.

JUST WATCH YOUR FOOTING
OUT THERE.

YEAH, AND THE WEATHER'S JUST
GONNA PROGRESSIVELY GET WORSE.

IT'S LOOKING LIKE

IT'S STARTING TO COME DOWN
PRETTY GOOD NOW.

IT'S GONNA SWITCH AROUND
AND BLOW WESTERLY.

PROBABLY HAVE
A NEAR BLIZZARD... AGAIN.

EXACTLY.
YES.

HAVE THEY RELEASED THE BARGE
TO US?

YES,
SO WE'RE READY TO GO.

I'M READY.
HERE WE GO. LET'S GO.

ALL RIGHT.
GO!

BEAUTIFUL DAY
IN WHITTIER.

IT'S SO **** IN WHITTIER

THAT EVEN THE RAVENS ARE
LEAVING.

YEAH, MAN, I'M ITCHING
TO GET ON THAT **** BARGE

SO I CAN
ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.

DANNY AND ANIMAL MUST
QUICKLY ASSEMBLE A TRAIN

FROM THE FREIGHT CARS
ON THE BARGE

SO IT CAN TRAVEL
FROM THE PORT OF WHITTIER

THROUGH THE AVALANCHE-PRONE
CHUGACH MOUNTAINS

TO ANCHORAGE BEFORE BAD WEATHER
LOCKS THEM DOWN.

THE COMMODITY ON THESE CARS IS
HOT, HOT, HOT.

I MEAN, THESE PEOPLE WANT
THEIR PRODUCT NOW, NOW, NOW.

THE ALASKA RAILROAD SHIPS

MORE THAN 5 MILLION TONS
OF FREIGHT

ACROSS THE STATE EACH YEAR.

IT WAS BUILT TO SHUTTLE
CRUCIAL SUPPLIES,

INCLUDING COAL, CHEMICALS,
AND CONSTRUCTION GEAR,

TO AREAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH
BY SEA, AIR, OR ROAD

DURING THE EXTREME WINTERS.

THESE DUMP TRUCKS,
THESE ARE A HOT LOAD

GOING TO THE MUNICIPALITY
OF ANCHORAGE FOR SNOW REMOVAL.

THEY SAY SNOW REMOVAL,
BUT YOU DON'T NEVER REMOVE IT.

YOU JUST PUT IT SOMEPLACE ELSE
TILL IT MELTS.

TIME IS MONEY. MONEY IS TIME.

WE DON'T TURN RAIL CARS,
THE WHEELS AREN'T ROLLING,

WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.

BETWEEN ANIMAL AND MYSELF,

THIS IS PROBABLY THOUSANDTH
OR MORE BARGE THAT WE'VE WORKED.

BUT I'M 60 YEARS OLD.

IF I CAN KEEP MY HEALTH,
I'LL WORK HERE TILL I'M 70.

WE'RE READY.

ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.

3009,
LET'S BRING THEM ON BACK.

HERE WE COME, "DANNO."

AND I'M READY, ANIMAL.
ONE ON THE STERN.

OKAY, DANNO, ONE ON THE STERN.
THANK YOU. OVER.

HOT RAIL.

20 FEET.

DANNY AND ANIMAL WORK AS A
TEAM FROM OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE BARGE.

FIVE FEET.

DANNY RELEASES
ALL THE HAND BRAKES

ON THE FREIGHTS CARS.

ANIMAL HOOKS UP THE LOCOMOTIVE
TO THOSE CARS

SO THEY CAN BE
PULLED OFF THE BARGE

ONTO THE MAIN LAND TRACK.

3009, STOP.

EACH FULLY-LOADED CAR WEIGHS
MORE THAN 100 TONS.

CLEAR AND READY UP HERE, DAN.
OVER.

Thank you, 3009.

WHEN YOU ARE READY,
START THEM AHEAD,

GENTLY AT FIRST.

All right. Easy.

HERE WE GO.

GOT THEM ALL MOVING.

EVERYTHING OUT HERE IS DESIGNED
TO BITE YOU ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IF YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION,
YOU CAN GET CRUSHED.

WE HAD SOMEBODY,

HE GOT IN THE WRONG SPOT
AT THE WRONG TIME,

AND HE DID GET ROLLED
BETWEEN THE CARS

JUST LIKE A HOT DOG,
YOU KNOW,

AND HE SURVIVED IT,
BUT, YOU KNOW,

IT SURE MESSED HIM UP
FOR A FEW YEARS.

3009 OFF THE BARGE.

ALL RIGHT!
FIRST RAIL PULLED.

GOOD JOB.

200 MILES NORTH
OF THE PORT OF WHITTIER...

CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF SOCIETY
IN A REMOTE CABIN,

66-YEAR-OLD JIM JAMES
AND HIS 60-YEAR-OLD WIFE, NANCY,

LIVE IN THE WOODS.

THEIR NEAREST TOWN IS TALKEETNA,
14 MILES AWAY.

THEY'RE TOTALLY DEPENDENT
ON THE RAILROAD.

FOR THEM,
IT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

WE'VE BEEN OUT HERE SINCE 1995,
ENJOYING THE BUSH LIFE.

YOU SURE GIVE ME AN EASY JOB
WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING WATER.

I JUST STAND HERE
AND WATCH YOU WORK.

ISN'T THAT NICE?

IT IS VERY NICE.

THE REASON THAT I MOVED UP HERE
IS BECAUSE I LOVE THE OUTDOORS

AND I HATE SOCIETY.

OUT HERE IN THE WOODS,

I AM KING OF MY DOMAIN,
SO TO SPEAK.

WE LIVE OFF-GRID,

ROUGHLY 13 MILES NORTH
OF THE NEAREST ROAD.

THE ONLY WAY I CAN REALLY GET
TO TOWN IS

VIA THE ALASKA RAILROAD.

HE DOESN'T LIKE
TO GO TO TOWN,

AND TOWN DOESN'T NECESSARILY
LIKE FOR HIM TO COME.

RIGHT.

I TEND TO **** UP
WHEN I GO TO TOWN, YES.

I LET MY ALLIGATOR MOUTH
OVERLOAD MY CANARY BUTT,

AND I DON'T TAKE
ANY ****

WITH JIM, HE'S KIND OF LIKE
A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.

SOMETIMES, HE GETS HURT.

ABOUT 3 1/2 YEARS AGO,
HE ACCIDENTALLY LOST HIS HAND.

WELL, I WAS TAKING A SHOTGUN
OFF THE FRONT OF A FOUR-WHEELER.

IT WAS LOADED,

AND WHEN I GRABBED AHOLD
OF THE END OF THE BARREL,

I PULLED IT TOWARD ME,

AND EVIDENTLY,
IT KNOCKED THE SAFETY OFF,

AND IT BLEW MY HAND OFF.

GIVE ME A HAND WITH THIS,
HONEY.

GET THAT SHOULDER.

I'M SORRY,
I DIDN'T SEE THAT.

THANK YOU.

YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID,
AND I'M PRETTY DAMN LUCKY.

HELL, THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE
THAT AIN'T GOT NO ARMS,

SO CAN'T BITCH.

THERE IS A CERTAIN
SATISFACTION ABOUT BEING ABLE

TO SUBSIST OUT HERE
ON OUR OWN,

BUT IF SOMETHING DRAMATIC
HAPPENS,

IT'S LIFE-THREATENING.

WE CAN'T JUST GO NEXT DOOR,
IN OTHER WORDS, AND GET HELP.

YOU JUST HAVE TO BE
TOTALLY AWARE

THAT YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON
YOU CAN DEPEND ON UP HERE...

YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE.

WE GOT TO GET
THIS STUFF IN.

I SMELL PROPANE.

WHAT'D YOU SAY?

I SMELL PROPANE.

THAT ONE'S EMPTY.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THAT.

WELL, I KNOW.

WE DAMN SURE DON'T NEED
TO RUN OUT OF PROPANE NOW.

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD
AND GET IN

AND CALL THE RAILROAD?

SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO WAIT
A FEW WEEKS

BEFORE THE TUNDRA TRUCK CAN
ARRANGE TO DELIVER OUR PROPANE.

IT'S GETTING LIFE-THREATENING
FOR US.

THE RAILROAD DELIVERS SUPPLIES

ON A SPECIALLY ADAPTED TRUCK
THAT RUNS ON RAILS.

THE TUNDRA TRUCK CARRIES FUELS
AND OTHER LOADS

THAT CAN'T GO
BY PASSENGER TRAIN.

WE'RE OUT OF PROPANE UP HERE,

AND THINGS ARE STARTING
TO GET TENSE.

I HOPE WHEN HE COMES BACK,
HE HAS GOOD NEWS.

WHEN DO YOU GOT A TUNDRA TRUCK
COMING THIS WAY?

TODAY, YEAH?

WELL, HELL, I'LL HAVE THEM
BOTTLES LOADED UP

AND TAKE THEM DOWN
TO THE TRAILHEAD.

BYE-BYE.

YEAH,
WE GOT TO GET THE HELL GOING

AND GET THESE TANKS
DOWN THERE

SO THE TUNDRA TRUCK CAN
PICK THEM UP.

THANK GOD
FOR THE ALASKA RAILROAD.

JIM AND NANCY NEED TO
LOAD UP THEIR EMPTY PROPANE TANKS

AND GET TO THE RAILROAD
FIVE MILES AWAY.

THEY DON'T WANT TO MISS
THE TUNDRA TRUCK.

IT'S ABOUT 20 BELOW,
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

EVERYTHING FREEZES.

OUCH! YOU ****

**** NANCY,
GIVE ME HAND HERE, WILL YOU?

YEAH, I'M COMING.

LET'S GET THIS
SON OF A **** LOADED.

DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE
TO GO IN?

YEAH,
WE GOT A COUPLE MORE TO GO.

****

WHAT NOW?

I DON'T KNOW. IT'S PROBABLY
A **** SPARK PLUG.

IF ANYTHING ELSE COULD GO WRONG,
IT **** WOULD GO WRONG.

DEEP IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS,

OFF-GRIDDERS JIM AND NANCY JAMES
ARE STRUGGLING

TO GET
THEIR SNOWMOBILE STARTED.

THEY NEED TO MEET
THE RAILROAD'S TUNDRA TRUCK

TO GET MORE PROPANE.

HOPEFULLY THIS **** IS GONNA
START AND GET THE HELL GOING.

YAY!

I DON'T THINK
WE MADE IT.

IT'S COMING FROM THE NORTH?
RIGHT.

THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO IS
JUST SIT HERE AND WAIT,

AND I HOPE TO HELL
THEY GET DOWN HERE,

'CAUSE I'M FREEZING TO DEATH.

30 MILES AWAY,
RAILROAD BOSS HUGH EVANS IS

ON HIS DAILY MISSION
TO INSPECT THE TRACK.

THE ICE AND SNOW IN ALASKA
WREAKS HAVOC WITH THE RAILS,

CAUSING THE STEEL TO BUCKLE
AND CRACK,

INCREASING
THE ODDS OF A DERAILMENT.

THE TUNDRA TRUCK
WON'T BE ALLOWED

TO PASS THROUGH HIS SECTION
UNTIL HE'S SURE IT'S SAFE.

I GOT 135 MILES OF TRACK
TO MAINTAIN OUT HERE.

THE RAILROAD'S A GOOD PLACE
TO WORK, YOU KNOW?

A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE
I'VE WORKED WITH OUT HERE.

YEAH,
THEY'RE LIKE MY FAMILY.

CAL'S UP AHEAD,
PLOWING THE SNOW OFF

SO THAT WE CAN DO A VISUAL
INSPECTION OF OUR TRACK,

AND I'M LOOKING TO MAKE SURE
THERE'S NO DEFECTS,

BROKEN RAILS,
ANY OTHER CONDITION

THAT MIGHT CAUSE A PROBLEM.

WHOA.

DR24 TO 1237 CHANNEL 5.
OVER.

1237. OVER.

Yeah, I ran over something.

IT MADE A GOOD CLUNK.

I'M NOT SURE
IF IT'S A CRUSHED HEAD

OR A BROKEN RAIL,

BUT I'M GONNA STOP UP HERE
AND CHECK IT OUT

IF YOU WANT
TO EASE UP TO ME. OVER.

****

WE'LL FIND OUT
WHAT WE GOT UP HERE.

TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

ANOTHER DAY
IN THE TROPICS.

YEAH, WELL,
WE GOT A CRACK.

****

WE NEED TO CUT IT OUT,
ROLL THIS PIECE OUT,

PUT THE NEW PIECE IN,
SPIKE IT DOWN,

AND HOPEFULLY WE'RE DONE BEFORE
THAT TUNDRA TRUCK GETS HERE.

I NEED TO GO CALL MIKE

AND SEE IF THEY GOT
THAT BOOM TRUCK GOING.

WE NEED THAT THING TODAY.

BACK AT BASE IN TALKEETNA,

BROTHERS MIKE
AND ANTHONY HOADLEY ARE

TRYING TO FIX
HUGH'S BROKEN-DOWN BOOM TRUCK.

HE WON'T BE ABLE TO REPAIR
THE TRACK WITHOUT IT.

IT HAS A BOOM ON IT
SO HE CAN LIFT HEAVY STUFF...

YOU KNOW, CHANGE RAIL
AND PICK UP THE BIG STUFF

THAT THE SMALLER TRUCKS
CAN'T GET.

WITHOUT IT THE TRAINS STOP,
BASICALLY, SO...

THESE FILTERS ARE FINE.
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO TRY
SOMETHING ELSE.

HUGH EVANS
TO MIKE HOADLEY. OVER.

YEAH, MIKE, WE JUST FOUND A RAIL
THAT'S GOT A CRACK IN IT.

HOW ARE WE COMING
WITH THAT BOOM TRUCK? OVER.

****

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU. OVER.

BASICALLY,
WE'VE GOT A REAL PROBLEM HERE.

IF WE DON'T GET
THAT BOOM TRUCK GOING,

THEN WE'RE GONNA HAVE
A BROKEN RAIL OUT HERE TONIGHT.

IT'S 2:00 NOW.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE A TUNDRA TRUCK
IN OUR AREA ABOUT 5:00,

SO WE NEED TO TAKE
AND GET THIS DONE ASAP.

THE TUNDRA TRUCK'S AT
HURRICANE, TRAVELLING SOUTH TOWARDS HUGH

AND ITS FIRST DELIVERY
OF THE DAY AT GOLD CREEK...

WHERE 42-YEAR-OLD OFF-GRIDDER
JOHN WILSON LIVES BY HIMSELF.

HOW YOU DOING,
PRETTY BIRD?

THIS IS THE CABIN I'VE LIVED IN
MY WHOLE LIFE,

SINCE I WAS 2 YEARS OLD.

AND I'VE GOT GOLD CREEK, ALASKA,
ON MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

I'VE ALWAYS LIVED
IN THE WOODS.

BEING OUT HERE BY MYSELF,

IT'S EASY TO LOSE TRACK
WHAT DAY IT IS.

YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY IS
KIND OF THE SAME,

AND THEY BLEND TOGETHER,

AND I USUALLY KNOW
WHAT TIME OF DAY IT IS,

BUT NOT NECESSARILY
WHAT DAY OF THE MONTH IT IS.

WATCHING THE BIRDS IS
WHAT I DO EVERY DAY.

THEY KEEP ME COMPANY.

THEY HAVE
THEIR OWN LITTLE SOCIETY

GOING ON OUT THERE.

THEY'RE ALMOST AN EXTENSION
TO THE FAMILY.

IT GETS REALLY QUIET,

AND CABIN FEVER IS
A REAL PHENOMENON.

IT CAN GET REALLY BAD.

YOU GO A LITTLE NUTS.

I'LL BE TALKING TO THE BIRDS.

I'LL BE TALKING TO THE,
YOU KNOW, THE VOLES AND SHREWS

THAT ARE RUNNING AROUND
OUT THERE,

AND THEN I'LL REALIZE,
"YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M TALKING TO MYSELF,"

AND YOU WOULDN'T DO THAT
IN TOWN, YOU KNOW,

WHEN THERE'S ACTUAL PEOPLE
TO TALK TO.

JOHN NEEDS TO MEET
THE TUNDRA TRUCK

TO COLLECT DIESEL
TO RUN HIS SNOW MACHINE

AND POWER HIS CABIN.

THE RAILROAD IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT THING OUT HERE.

WITHOUT THE RAIL, THERE WOULDN'T
BE NO PEOPLE HERE.

IN CONVENIENCE STORES IN TOWN,
IT'S 24/7, YOU KNOW,

AND ANY TIME
YOU COULD GO DOWN THERE,

YOU JUST GO DOWN THERE,
AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,

YOU CAN GET YOUR HOT DOG
OR WHATEVER,

BUT THIS IS THE STORE.

WAITING AT THE TRACKS
FOR THE SHIPMENT...

THAT'S OUR STORE.

I'M GONNA CHECK THE FUSES INSIDE

TO SEE IF THERE'S
ANY BREAKERS TRIPPED, OKAY?

I THINK
IT'S JUST THESE FUSES HERE.

THIS TRUCK'S GETTING ON
IN YEARS.

ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG.

LET'S CHECK
THE FUEL SENSOR.

YEAH,
I GOT A LOSE WIRE UP HERE.

THAT MIGHT BE IT.

I GUESS
WE'LL GIVE THAT A TRY.

HERE GOES.

****

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.
WE GOT IT.

I THINK
WE'RE IN THE CLEAR NOW.

EVANS, OVER.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, Y'ALL GAVE ME
A SIGH OF RELIEF.

WE'LL SEE YOU UP THERE.
THANK YOU. OUT.

ALL RIGHT.
I THINK YOU'RE ON.

LET'S GO FIX THE RAILROAD.

RAILROAD CREWS
HAVE HAD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE

UP TO HALF A MILLION FEET

OF WORN OR WEATHER-BEATEN TRACK
A YEAR

TO KEEP
THE STATE'S TRAINS ROLLING.

HERE COMES
THE CAVALRY.

WHOO!

YEAH, THAT'S A REAL BIG RELIEF,
HAVING THE TRUCK RUNNING.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE
AND GET THIS RAIL PUT IN NOW

AND GET THE HELL
OUT OF HERE.

ALL RIGHT,
EVERYBODY STAND CLEAR.

THE SPARK GETS SO HOT

IT'LL BURN RIGHT THROUGH
THE LEATHER OF YOUR BOOT,

RIGHT DOWN TO THE SKIN.

YOU CAN'T GET YOUR BOOT OFF
FAST ENOUGH WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

WE'RE GONNA
TAKE AND USE THE BOOM HERE

TO BRING
ONE OF THE RAILS DOWN.

MEASURE TWICE. CUT ONCE.

ROLL OUT THE OLD ONE,
AND PUT THE NEW ONE IN PLACE.

READY?

NOW SWING IT
THE OTHER WAY.

COMING DOWN.
OKAY.

ALL RIGHT,
ROLLING THE RAIL.

IF WE'RE GONNA DELAY
THE TUNDRA TRUCK,

IT'S NOT GONNA BE
ON MY WATCH.

IN THE PORT OF WHITTIER,

ATROCIOUS WEATHER HAS PUT DANNY
AND ANIMAL BEHIND SCHEDULE.

THEY'VE PULLED 55 FREIGHT CARS
OFF THE BARGE,

LINKING THEM TOGETHER
TO BUILD ONE LONG TRAIN.

THEY'VE GOT 15 MORE
TO HAUL OFF AND HOOK UP.

WE WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER
ON THAT BARGE,

AND THAT'S WHY WE STAY
IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION.

ALL RIGHT, READY FOR A
HOOK ON TRACK SIX. HERE WE COME.

Thank you.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE DEALING
WITH BIG, HEAVY EQUIPMENT,

SO MY FIRST PRIORITY IS ME.

MY SECOND PRIORITY IS HIM.

3009, STOP.

'CAUSE I'M GONNA
SLITHER MY WAY

DOWN BETWEEN THESE CARS
AND KNOCK SOME HAND BRAKES OFF.

IT'S WEIRD,
BUT I LIKE DOING THAT ****

YOU KNOW,
I REALLY LIKE TO GO HOME

WITH EVERYTHING
THAT I CAME WITH.

READY HERE, DAN.
ALL CLEAR. OVER.

Thank you.

3009, WHEN YOU ARE READY,
GET STARTED AHEAD,

GENTLY AT FIRST.

AND YOU GOT THEM
ALL MOVING.

Moving.

AND THERE THEY GO.

DANNY AND ANIMAL ARE
EAGER TO LEAVE

BEFORE THE WEATHER
DETERIORATES.

DURING THE WORST STORMS,

TRAINS CAN BE SNOWED
INTO THE PORT FOR DAYS.

WE GOT HER DONE, BABY.
WHOO-HOO!

30 MILES UP THE TRACK IS

A NOTORIOUSLY DANGEROUS
AVALANCHE ZONE.

DANNY AND ANIMAL'S FREIGHT TRAIN
CAN'T GET THROUGH

UNTIL THE CREW,
LED BY ROADMASTER BRUCE GOUGH,

MAKES SURE THE AREA IS SAFE.

THIS PAST YEAR,
WE DID HAVE A TRAIN

THAT GOT HIT
BY A FAIRLY LARGE SLIDE

AND KNOCKED OFF
A FEW OF OUR RAILCARS.

IT WAS PRETTY ROUGH ON US.

AVALANCHES ARE
THE BIGGEST THREAT

TO THIS STRETCH
OF THE RAIL LINE.

A QUARTER OF A MILLION TONS
OF SNOW CAN ACCELERATE

TO OVER 80 MILES AN HOUR
IN JUST 5 SECONDS,

BLOCKING THE LINE,
WRECKING TRAINS,

AND KILLING CREW.

BRUCE HAS SENT DAVE SHAFER AHEAD
TO CLEAR SNOW FROM THE TRACK

AND CHECK
THE AVALANCHE DANGER ZONE.

WHOA, LOOK AT THAT!

****

25 TO BRUCE GOUGH.
OVER.

HOW'S IT GOING, DAVE?

YEAH, BRUCE,
WE'RE ABLE TO GET UP THE HILL.

WE'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD,
BUT WE DID SEE

A NATURAL AVALANCHE
HERE AT THE SLIDES.

OVER AND OUT.

COPY.

JUST GOT NEWS FROM DAVE.

HE JUST SAW A NATURAL AVALANCHE
COME DOWN,

AND THAT'S PRETTY CONCERNING.

MOTHER NATURE IS NOT GONNA
TAKE KINDLY TO YOU

IF YOU'RE NOT PREPARED.

BACK UP, BROTHER.

BECAUSE THE SNOW IS ALREADY

FALLING DOWN THE MOUNTAINS,

BRUCE'S ONLY OPTION IS
TO ACCELERATE THE AVALANCHES

SO THEY LAND
BEFORE THE TRAIN PASSES.

HE SHUTS DOWN THE TRACK
AND BRINGS OUT A CANNON.

WITH THIS LONG-RANGE
105 HOWITZER,

THE TEAM WILL FIRE SHELLS
INTO THE DANGER ZONE

TO TRIGGER
THEIR OWN MAN-MADE SNOW SLIDE.

I LIKE CONTROL OF THE MOUNTAIN

INSTEAD OF HAVING THE MOUNTAIN
CONTROL ME.

WE'RE NOT GONNA
TAKE ANY CHANCES.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE **** SURE

THESE TRAINS CAN
GET THROUGH HERE SAFELY.

YOU CAN SEE DOWN HERE
WHERE THERE'S NO TREES.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE SHOOTING.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE TRACK
RUNNING UNDERNEATH IT.

EACH HIGH-EXPLOSIVE
ROUND CONTAINS FIVE POUNDS OF TNT.

LOCK AND LOADED,
TIGHTENED UP, AND READY TO GO.

LET'S STAY FOCUSED
ON OUR **** HERE.

LET'S GET MOVING.

HEY, CHEESE,
SUPER QUICK!

TUBE IS CLEAR.

TUBE CLEAR. LOADED.

CLEAR, RED HOT.
CLEAR, READY TO FIRE!

REPORT!

WELL, WE JUST PUT
A GOOD ROUND UP THERE,

BUT NOTHING HAPPENED YET.

A LITTLE BIT HIGH.

SOMETIMES, THE MAGIC WORKS,
AND SOMETIMES, IT DOESN'T.

WE'RE GONNA
SWITCH THE GUN POSITION.

READY? GO, GO.

LET'S GET THIS DONE.

HEY, CHEESE,
SUPER QUICK!

LOADED.

CLEAR, RED HOT.
CLEAR, READY TO FIRE!

OKAY, GOOD.

REPORT.

OOH.
THAT'S A GOOD SHOT.

I HEAR A RUMBLING.

HERE IT IS. GOT ONE.

LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S BIG.

HOLY ****

WELL,
I GUESS IT NEEDED TO GET SHOT.

NEEDED TO GET SHOT,
DAVE.

HECK, WE GET TO BLOW UP
A MOUNTAIN... PRETTY SWEET.

CAN'T BEAT THIS JOB.

THE AVALANCHE IS
EVEN BIGGER THAN THEY EXPECTED.

IT WOULD'VE COMPLETELY DESTROYED
A PASSING TRAIN,

BUT THE TRAIN
STILL CAN'T RUN.

THE TRACKS ARE NOW BURIED
IN 30 FEET OF SNOW.

HOLY MACKEREL!
THAT'S NOT GOOD.

LET'S CLEAN IT UP?
OKAY.

LET'S GO!

WE'VE GOT
A LOT MORE WORK AHEAD OF US.

BUT WE'VE GOT
THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO GET ON IT

AND GET IT DONE.

THEY MOVE IN

THE RAILROAD'S
BIGGEST EXCAVATOR.

IT'S JUST ONE OF 200
SPECIALIST MACHINES CREWS USE

TO MAINTAIN
THE STATE'S 656 MILES OF TRACK.

HEY, JIM, I THINK YOU CAN
GET THIS CLEANED UP FAIRLY GOOD.

IT'S JUST MORE LONG
THAN STACKED UP HIGH.

I'M PROBABLY GONNA HAVE
TO MAKE A COUPLE PASSES ON THIS.

JUST REAP IT OUT,
GET THE TRACKS OPEN,

AND WE'LL GO.

THE TEAM IS DEDICATED
TO CLEARING THE LINE

EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RISK

THAT MORE AVALANCHES
COULD FOLLOW.

THE TRACKS ARE SHUT DOWN.

THAT'S GONNA TAKE SEVERAL HOURS
TO GET CLEANED UP.

NOTHING COULD
GET THROUGH THERE NOW.

IN THE PORT OF
WHITTIER, IT'S 3:00.

IT'S BEEN SIX HOURS
SINCE DANNY AND ANIMAL STARTED

UNLOADING THE BARGE.

FINALLY,
THEY ARE READY TO ROLL,

WITH THEIR FREIGHT TRAIN
CARRYING URGENT SUPPLIES

AND SNOW-CLEARING EQUIPMENT.

THEY NEED TO GET TO ANCHORAGE
BEFORE NIGHTFALL

TO AVOID BAD WEATHER
THAT'S MOVING IN.

WE GOT TWO LOCOMOTIVES,
BOTH 3,000,

SO WE HAVE 6,000 HORSEPOWER.

HOW ARE WE DOING FOR TIME,
DANNO?

IT'S GETTING CRITICAL,

BUT WE'RE STILL
ON THE GOOD SIDE OF IT.

WE AIN'T GOT MUCH TIME.

IT'LL BE CLOSE.

ALL RIGHT, WELL,
LET'S GO DO IT.

LET'S GET ON
AND GET OUT OF HERE.

TURN AND BURN.

HERE WE GO.

READY TO TOW?

SURE WAS GOOD
TO GET OUT OF THAT HOLE

BEFORE THE WEATHER STOPPED US,
RIGHT?

YES, IT IS.

GETTING A GOOD EYE VIEW
OF THEM HOT LOADS.

HOT LOADS.

THE FREIGHT TRAIN IS
1 1/2 MILES LONG.

ITS 6,000 HORSEPOWER ENGINES ARE
POWERING IT

TOWARDS BRUCE'S AVALANCHE ZONE
AT 25 MILES PER HOUR.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

IF HIS CREW CAN'T CLEAR
THE TRACKS IN TIME,

DANNY AND ANIMAL WON'T MAKE IT
THROUGH TO ANCHORAGE.

WE HAVE TWO HOURS LEFT.
NEED TO GET A MOVE ON.

THE TRAIN'S COMING THIS WAY,

AND I STILL HAVE A LOT OF SNOW
TO REMOVE OFF THE TRACK,

SO THE PRESSURE'S ON.

HEY, JIM, A LITTLE UPDATE
FROM YOU, PLEASE.

IT'S GONNA BE TIGHT.

I DEFINITELY NEED
THE DOZER HERE.

MIKE, LET'S JUST GET OUT OF HERE
AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE

AND GET BACK HOME SAFELY.
OVER.

ROGER THAT. WE GOT TO GET ON IT
AND GET IT DONE.

THE TRAIN'S 17 MILES AWAY,
BEARING DOWN ON US.

NOTHING LIKE A BIG DOSE
OF PRESSURE.

WHEN YOU'RE PUSHING SNOW
OFF AND YOUR VISIBILITY IS BAD,

YOU CAN'T TELL
WHERE THE EDGES ARE.

YOU JUST GOT TO WATCH

TILL THE SNOW FALLS
OFF YOUR BLADE

AND THEN BACK UP.

200 MILES NORTH,
IT'S 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

OFF-GRIDDER JOHN WILSON HAS BEEN
WAITING AT THE SIDE OF THE TRACK

FOR OVER AN HOUR,
BUT THERE'S STILL NO SIGN

OF THE TUNDRA TRUCK
WITH HIS DIESEL.

THE TUNDRA WILL NORMALLY
COME JUST ONCE A MONTH,

SO I ORDER MY FUEL
IN ADVANCE.

A GOOD PORTION OF IT WILL GO
IN THE GENERATOR, YOU KNOW,

FOR ELECTRICITY.

I CAN JUST IMAGINE
WITHOUT THE RAILROAD,

TRYING TO GET IT UP HERE.

IT'S GONNA BE IMPOSSIBLE.

FURTHER DOWN THE TRACK,

JIM AND NANCY JAMES ARE
ALSO WAITING

FOR THEIR PROPANE
TO BE DELIVERED.

YOU OKAY?

YEAH, YEAH, I'M JUST GONNA
WARM MY HANDS UP.

THERE'S A MOOSE UP THE TRAIL.
A LITTLE ONE.

THAT'S ALL WE NEED
TO RUN INTO TODAY.

THIS IS GETTING
PRETTY SCARY RIGHT NOW.

WITH THE TEMPERATURES
AND LACK OF PROPANE,

IT'S GETTING
LIFE-THREATENING.

THE TUNDRA TRUCK
WON'T GET THROUGH

UNTIL HUGH AND HIS CREW
REPLACE A CRUSHED RAIL

ON THE ROUTE
TO JIM AND NANCY.

THE TUNDRA TRUCK'S GONNA BE HERE
IN ABOUT AN HOUR.

AN HOUR?
YEAH.

OKAY.

WE'LL TRY TO GET IT DONE
BY THEN.

I THINK WE'RE READY TO DRILL.

I'LL GIVE YOU
SOME JUICE HERE.

THE TRACK IS MADE
FROM CARBON-STEEL ALLOY.

IT'S NOT AS TOUGH
AS TOOL STEEL.

IT IF WERE,
IT WOULD BE FAR TOO BRITTLE

FOR ALASKA'S ICY CLIMATE,

AND TRACKS WOULD CRACK
MORE OFTEN.

MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING
ENOUGH FLUID THROUGH THERE.

THERE'S NO WATER
COMING OUT.

WHAT THE HELL?

SHOOT.

SOMETHING IS
PLUGGING IT UP.

LET ME LOOK AT THAT BIT.

WHAT DO WE GOT?

IT LOOKS LIKE
THE BIT'S GETTING ****

YEAH, IT'S WEARING
ON THE SIDE THERE. SEE?

WE NEED A NEW BIT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING,
I GUESS.

****

WE GOT TO GET
OUT OF THE WAY HERE,

'CAUSE WE GOT THE TUNDRA TRUCK
GETTING PRETTY DAMN CLOSE THERE,

SO WE NEED TO GET THIS
TAKEN CARE OF.

HUGH EVANS
AND HIS MAINTENANCE CREW

ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIX
THEIR DRILL

SO THEY CAN REPLACE
A DAMAGED RAIL.

THE TUNDRA TRUCK CARRYING
DIESEL FOR JOHN

AND PROPANE FOR JIM AND NANCY

WON'T GET THROUGH
THEIR SECTION OF TRACK

UNTIL THE JOB'S DONE.

THIS IS ABOUT
AS REMOTE AS YOU GET.

THE PEOPLE THAT STAY OUT HERE
YEAR-ROUND,

THEY TOUGH IT OUT
ALL WINTER,

AND THEY DEPEND ON THE TUNDRA,
YOU KNOW, TO COME.

SO IF THESE PEOPLE
RUN OUT OF PROPANE,

THEY'RE NOT GONNA LAST VERY LONG
OUT HERE.

IT'S GONNA BE TRAGIC,
ACTUALLY.

WE'RE THE ONLY ONES
THAT CAN BRING THIS OUT TO THEM.

I BET IT'S 15, 20 BELOW
DOWN HERE.

IT'S ALWAYS COLD DOWN HERE.

WELL, AT LEAST THE WIND STOPPED
A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK IT'S SPUN ALL THE
WAY AS FAR AS IT NEEDS TO GO.

JUST NEED
TO GET IT OUT, YOU KNOW?

YEAH,
JUST NEEDS TO COME OUT.

IT'S STARTING TO GO.
YEAH.

EVERYTHING'S A PAIN
IN THE BUTT OUT HERE.

SNOW GETS IN EVERYTHING.

WHAT'S REALLY BAD...
THE SNOW ALL MELTS,

TURNS TO ICE,
THEN YOU GOT ICE IN EVERYTHING.

THAT CAN MESS EVERYTHING UP.

GOT IT.

MY GOD.
LET ME SEE THAT.

YEAH, IT WAS RUBBING HARD
ON THE OUTSIDES THERE,

AND IT'S BASICALLY
SUPERHEATING IT.

WELL, WE ONLY GOT ONE MORE HOLE
TO DRILL HERE.

YEP.
WE'LL FIX THIS ONE.

OKAY.

WE NEED
TO OIL THESE THINGS UP.

YOU ALWAYS NEED LUBE
WHEN YOU STICK SOMETHING

IN A LITTLE HOLE
OR SOMETHING THERE.

EASY,
BROTHER.

IT SHOULD WORK GOOD NOW.

TWIST IT AND TURN IT

BEFORE THAT TUNDRA TRUCK GETS
HERE, PLEASE.

HERE IT COMES.

IT LOOKS GOOD.
WE GOT IT PUT TOGETHER.

ANTHONY, GO AHEAD
AND DO YOUR THING THERE.

ALL RIGHT, WE'VE STILL GOT
A BIG GAP AT THE OTHER END.

GET THE FireSnake GOING.

WE HEAT THE RAIL
WITH THE FireSnake

TO EXPAND THE RAILS

SO THAT THE JOINTS
COME BACK TOGETHER.

THE SMOKE'S TOXIC,
SO YOU WANT THE HEAT.

YOU DON'T WANT THE SMOKE.

IT COULD BE BAD.

ANYTIME YOU'RE NOT SWINGING
A HAMMER OR BREAKING YOUR BACK,

I GUESS YOU COULD CONSIDER THAT
BEING FUN.

WE'RE GONNA ABLE TO HAVE
EVERYTHING BOLTED UP

AND SPIKED IN,
SO IT'S A REAL RELIEF.

ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE ALL SPIKED UP.

OKAY.
IT'S LOOKING GOOD HERE.

IT LOOKS REAL GOOD.
****

YEAH, IT LOOKS GOOD. I GOT
THAT GROUND DOWN THERE, TOO.

OKAY. GOOD.

WE'RE DOING GOOD.
ALL RIGHT.

WE GOT THAT TUNDRA TRUCK SITTING
DOWN THERE WAITING ON US.

WE NEED
TO GET OUT OF THE WAY HERE.

ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

OKAY.
ALL RIGHT. GOOD JOB.

A FEW MINOR MISHAPS
THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

YOU KNOW,
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED...

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH
THE STORY OF MY LIFE

ON THIS RAILROAD,
BUT WE GOT THROUGH IT.

****
THE FITTING'S STUCK OPEN.

IT WAS JUST FREELY DUMPING
HYDRAULIC OIL IN MY LAP.

IT LOOKS LIKE
I PISSED MYSELF.

DEFINITELY BE
WASHING SOME CLOTHES TONIGHT.

WE HAD
A PRETTY HECTIC DAY TODAY.

BROKEN-DOWN TRUCKS,
A BROKEN RAIL.

THE CREW DID A REAL GOOD JOB.
THEY PULLED THROUGH FOR ME.

I GOT TO GET GOING.

IT TAKES A STRONG BREED
OF PEOPLE

TO TAKE AND BE OUT HERE,
DEALING WITH THESE CONDITIONS.

TWO MILES SOUTH,
LONER JOHN WILSON IS BRAVING

FREEZING CONDITIONS,
WAITING FOR HIS FUEL DELIVERY.

I CAN SEE IT
ON THE FAR END DOWN THERE.

WELL, YOU'RE BASICALLY CONFINED
BY THE WINTER TO THE CABIN.

IT'S LIKE BEING
IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

FOR SIX MONTHS.

YOU LITERALLY GO NUTS.

WHEN I SEE SOMEONE,
I RAMBLE REALLY FAST,

'CAUSE I HAVEN'T SAID A WORD
TO A PERSON IN LIKE A MONTH.

HOW YOU DOING?

GOOD.
HOW YOU DOING?

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU GUYS ARE MY ONLY VISITORS.
BY THE WAY, YOU KNOW?

YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS ARE LIKE
THE ONLY HUMAN BEINGS

I'VE TALKED TO IN LIKE TWO,
THREE WEEKS, YOU KNOW?

I DON'T HAVE PHONE SERVICE,
SO I DON'T KNOW

EXACTLY WHEN A LOT TIMES
RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET HERE.

YEAH.

SO YOU'VE GROWN UP HERE
YOUR WHOLE LIFE THEN?

THIS IS WHERE MY PARENTS LIVED
WHEN I WAS BORN.

YEAH.

AND MY MOM WENT INTO TOWN
TO THE HOSPITAL

FOR ME TO BE BORN.

AND SHE HAD ME
IN A LAUNDRY BASKET

WHEN THEY WERE GETTING READY
TO GET OFF HERE AT GOLD CREEK,

AND THE BAGGAGE MAN THOUGHT
I WAS LAUNDRY IN A BASKET

AND JUST THREW ME OFF
IN A SNOWBANK.

THE TRAIN WAS STILL ROLLING
TO A STOP,

AND HE JUST THREW ME OFF.

MAN, THAT'S AMAZING.

BUT I MADE IT. I'M HERE.
YEAH.

YEAH.
I'M GONNA FIRE THIS UP.

GOOD.

PRETTY HANDY SYSTEM.

ALL RIGHT.
THERE WE GO.

PUT IT RIGHT IN.

JUST LIKE THAT.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN,
YOU TAKE CARE.

YES.
THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

WE GOT A FUEL STATION,
AND I'LL JUST GET HER GOING.

THAT'S ALL I NEEDED.
HAVE A FRESH BARREL OF FUEL.

DO YOU HEAR SOMETHING?

I THINK
I HEARD SOMETHING.

I THINK
I HEAR SOMETHING COMING.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO HEAR THINGS
WITH THIS HAT ON.

THERE IT IS.

ALL RIGHT. FINALLY.

I'M GLAD TO SEE
THAT UGLY THING COMING.

I WAS JUST ABOUT READY
TO GO HOME.

HOW YOU DOING, JIM?
HOW'S IT GOING?

THANK YOU FOR COMING.
YOU'RE WELCOME.

GOOD.

FINALLY GOT THE DAMN PROPANE,
AND IT IS ONE HELL OF A RELIEF.

IT'S A GOOD THING.
WE HAVE PROPANE.

YOU CAN NEVER TAKE ANYTHING
FOR GRANTED

WHEN YOU'RE BUSH RAT.

YOU HAVE TO COUNT
ON THE UNEXPECTED,

BECAUSE I GUARANTEE YOU,
THAT'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

THANKS A LOT.

WE WILL SEE YOU ALL
NEXT TRIP.

BACK IN THE AVALANCHE
ZONE, BRUCE GOUGH'S CREW IS

STILL BATTLING
FREEZING TEMPERATURES

TO CLEAR SNOW FROM THE TRACKS

SO THAT DANNY AND ANIMAL'S
FREIGHT TRAIN TO ANCHORAGE

CAN GET THROUGH.

LET'S CHECK THIS OUT
REAL QUICK.

THERE'S 10 FEET THERE.

SO WE GOT 30 FEET HERE.

LOOK HOW HARD THAT IS.

THAT'S HARD AS A ROCK,
LIKE CEMENT.

BEFORE BRUCE CAN GIVE
THE ALL CLEAR,

HE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE FORCE
OF HIS MAN-MADE AVALANCHE

HASN'T DAMAGED THE TRACKS.

IF THEY'VE BEEN PUSHED APART,
THE TRAIN WILL DERAIL.

WHAT DO YOU GOT THERE,
BRUCE?

I GOT 56 1/2.

PERFECT.
OKAY.

BRUCE MAY HAVE GOTTEN
A MAJOR AVALANCHE

OUT OF THE WAY,

BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE
THAT MORE COULD FOLLOW.

JUST BECAUSE WE'VE SHOT
AN AVALANCHE DOWN DOESN'T MEAN

THAT ANOTHER AVALANCHE CAN'T
HAPPEN.

NOTHING IS CERTAIN UNTIL
DANNY AND ANIMAL'S FREIGHT TRAIN

PASSES THROUGH
THE DANGER ZONE.

WHEN THAT TRAIN COMES
THROUGH, WE'VE DONE OUR JOB.

DANNY AND ANIMAL'S FREIGHT
TRAIN IS ON ITS WAY TO ANCHORAGE,

WHERE THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT
THEY CARRY IS

DESPERATELY NEEDED TO CLEAR SNOW
AFTER A STORM,

BUT THERE'S DANGER AHEAD.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS ARE RIPE.
IT COULD HAPPEN REAL EASY.

THE POSSIBILITIES
ARE HIGH.

I'VE BEEN IN TWO
ON THIS RAILROAD IN MY CAREER.

AND I **** WELL DON'T WANT TO
BE IN ANOTHER ONE.

I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA
SEE GOD FIRSTHAND.

AT THE SLIDE ZONE,

BRUCE AND HIS CREW ARE
ON STANDBY

TO WATCH THE TRAIN ROLL BY
IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENS.

THE TRAIN CREWS ALWAYS
APPRECIATE WHEN WE'RE OUT THERE

GIVING THE ROLL-BYS.

IT GIVES THEM
A "YOU'RE GOOD TO GO."

DANNY AND ANIMAL'S TRAIN
IS ABOUT TO ENTER THE SLIDE ZONE.

THEY SLOW DOWN
TO REDUCE THE RISK

OF TRIGGERING FURTHER AVALANCHES
THAT COULD WIPE THEM OUT.

HERE WE ARE.
LOOK AT THAT BABY.

THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF SNOW
ON THAT SLIDE.

HOLY SMOKE!

GLAD WE WEREN'T
UNDER THIS WHEN IT CAME DOWN.

ME TOO.

PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD RIGHT NOW.

YOU ALWAYS WANT
TO TAKE CLOSE ATTENTION

TO UNUSUAL LOADS LIKE THIS.

LOOKING GOOD.

SUCCESS.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY
WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE.

SLIDE ZONE'S IN GREAT SHAPE.

THE BOYS CLEANED THEM UP,

SO WE GET THIS FREIGHT HOME
AND WE GET OFF THIS "MOFRAPPER."

YES, WE DO.
ANOTHER ADVENTURE, ANOTHER DAY.

THIS SHIPMENT TO
ANCHORAGE IS JUST A SMALL PART

OF THE 5 1/2 MILLION TONS
OF FREIGHT

THAT THE RAILROAD WILL DELIVER
THIS YEAR.

ANIMAL,
WE MADE IT, BROTHER.

YES.
BRING THAT FREIGHT HOME.

GOOD JOB.
IT WAS.

BROTHER, WITH YOU,
IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TRIP.

A LOT OF THIS FREIGHT
THAT COMES UP HERE THAT'S HOT,

THEY WANT IT TODAY.

IN MOST CASES,
THEY WANTED IT YESTERDAY.

BOTH THE TRUCKS ARE HERE.
TOMORROW, THEY'LL BE UTILIZED.

MAKES US HAPPY.

PAYS MY BILLS.

IT'S BEER-THIRTY.

BACK OFF-GRID,

JOHN WILSON HAS FILLED
HIS GENERATOR WITH DIESEL

AND CAN ENJOY
ONE OF LIFE'S LUXURIES.

SHOULD I TURN IT ON?

AND WE HAVE LIGHTS.

AFTER A TOUGH DAY,

JIM AND NANCY HAVE ALSO
MADE IT BACK TO THEIR CABIN.

WELL,
WE FINALLY GOT SOME PROPANE,

AND I'M VERY EXCITED AND HAPPY,

AND I THINK JIM CAN
GET CALMED DOWN NOW.

STARTING TO GET A LITTLE TENSE
THERE FOR A WHILE,

BUT NOW THE TRAUMATIC PART IS
OVER WITH.

I'M GONNA
LEAVE THE COOKING TO JIM.

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT HE'S GOING TO MAKE UP,

BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD
TO IT.

CAJUN STEW à LA MOOSE.

IT'S NICE HAVING
THE PROPANE BACK, ISN'T IT?

YOU'VE GOTTEN SOFT
IN YOUR OLD AGE, MY LOVE.

I KNOW.

NOW HERE COMES
THE FUN PART.

YOU WANT ME TO DO IT?

NO, I'VE GOT IT.

WELL,
I GOT MOST OF IT ****

I'LL CLEAN THAT UP.

ALL RIGHT.
THE BIRDS WILL EAT IT.

ALL RIGHT, SWEETHEART.

IT NEVER DID WARM UP TODAY.
IT'S JUST BEEN VERY COLD.

THIS HAS BEEN
A LITTLE TRAUMATIC FOR US ALL.

THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM
FOR IMPROVEMENT ON LIFESTYLE.

AND IF YOU GO ABOUT THINGS
THE RIGHT WAY,

IT'S A NICE, SMOOTH TRAIL.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE,

THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUMP
THAT COMES ALONG,

AND THEN LIFE IS
NOT BEAUTIFUL ANYMORE.

IT BECOMES WORK.
IT BECOMES AGGRAVATION.

AND I DON'T NEED
AGGRAVATION.

I'M TOO OLD FOR THAT.

THAT BIRD CAME.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.

I SEE HIM.

NOW HE'S SURE
CHECKING IT OUT.

HERE HE COMES.

THERE HE GOES.