Railroad Alaska (2013–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - The Beast - full transcript

IN ALASKA,
A DEVASTATING SNOWSTORM...

MOTHER NATURE AT WAR WITH US.

...BLOCKS
THE STATE'S VITAL LIFELINE...

THIS IS A LOT OF SNOW
IT'S PUSHING.

...THE ALASKA RAILROAD.

I'M HERE TO ROCK AND ROLL,
CLEAN UP SOME SNOW.

SETTLERS LIVING
FAR FROM ROADS ARE TRAPPED.

WHOA.

WHEN THE TRAIN IS NOT RUNNING,
ACCESS TO RESCUE IS A WEEK AWAY.

THEIR HOMES ARE IN DANGER...

...AND LIVES ARE ON THE LINE.



WHEN I'M OUT HERE BY MYSELF,
THERE'S NO ONE TO CALL FOR HELP.

WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY HERE.

THE KENAI MOUNTAINS,

KNOWN FOR THEIR TOWERING
GLACIERS AND DEEP CANYONS.

THIS IS ONE OF
THE ALASKA RAILROAD'S

MOST CHALLENGING ROUTES.

CLINGING TO THE MOUNTAIN EDGE,
THIS SECTION OF RAILROAD

WAS THE FIRST TO BE BUILT
IN ALASKA.

IT TOOK SIX YEARS TO CONSTRUCT
JUST 50 MILES OF TRACK HERE,

BACK AT THE START OF THE 1900s.

OVERNIGHT, THE HEAVIEST
SNOWSTORM OF THE WINTER

HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN
THE RAILROAD.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SNOW,
SIX INCHES HERE,

FOUR INCHES HERE,
ANOTHER EIGHT INCHES THERE.



SO IT JUST KEEPS ADDING UP,
AND IT JUST WON'T QUIT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE SNOW,
THIS AIN'T THE PLACE TO WORK.

THE BIGGEST GUN IN THE
RAILROAD SNOW-CLEARING ARSENAL

IS THE SNOW FLEET, A 67-TON,

THREE-QUARTER MILLION DOLLAR
SNOWPLOW.

ON BOARD ARE DANNY AND ANIMAL.

USUALLY THEY BUILD THE TRAINS
AND FIX MECHANICAL PROBLEMS,

BUT THE STORMS MEAN THAT,

TODAY, THEY'LL HAVE TO WORK
CLEARING SNOW, TOO,

TO GET THE LINE OPEN.

THE ROADMASTER
AND BRUCE GOUGH

CALLED TOWN AND SAID THERE WERE
ISSUES ON THE MOUNTAIN.

WE AIN'T GOT MUCH TIME.

IT'S GONNA TAKE US
A LITTLE WHILE

TO CLEAN THAT MOUNTAIN FOR HIM,

SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO
GET WITH IT HERE.

WE'RE GONNA UNLEASH THE BEAST.

WELL, HERE'S THE SITUATION.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF SNOW
UP ON THE HILL RIGHT NOW.

THE BULLDOZERS ARE STRUGGLING
TO GET THROUGH THE SNOW,

SO I ONLY HAVE ONE OPTION
AT THIS POINT

AND THAT'S TO GET THE BIG WINGS.

THIS 67-TON PLOW EQUIPPED

WITH SPECIAL
SNOW SPREADING WINGS

IS PUSHED BY TWO LOCOMOTIVES

AND HAS A TOP SPEED
OF 35 MILES PER HOUR.

WE STAY TOTALLY FOCUSED
ON WHAT WE'RE DOING.

YOU HAVE CROSSINGS,
SWITCHES, BRIDGES.

THE FRONT PLOW,

IF YOU DON'T BRING THAT PLOW UP
AT THE RIGHT TIME,

IT'LL PICK YOU UP
AND THROW YOU OFF THE RAIL.

WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR.

LET'S PUT A LITTLE EMPHASIS
ON THE AVALANCHE.

HOW IS EVERYTHING LOOKING
UP THERE?

NO RECENT ACTIVITY IN AVALANCHE
AT ALL, SO WE'RE FINE.

GOT YOU.
YOU GUYS READY TO DO IT?

READY TO GO.
LET'S DO IT.

THE FREIGHT TRAIN
THAT NEEDS TO PASS

THROUGH
THE SNOWY KENAI MOUNTAINS

IS CURRENTLY 50 MILES NORTH
IN ANCHORAGE.

IT CARRIES
1,600 TONS OF DIESEL FUEL

THAT IS URGENTLY NEEDED
FOR SHIPS AT THE PORT OF SEWARD.

IF THE FREIGHT
IS TO MAKE IT THROUGH,

DANNY AND ANIMAL MUST CLEAR

20 MILES OF SNOW BLOCKED TRACK
FROM PORTAGE,

PASSING ACROSS NARROW BRIDGES
AND THROUGH TIGHT TUNNELS.

THEIR PLOW NEEDS TO BLAST AWAY
THE SNOW

TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
AND THEN PULL OVER INTO A SIDING

TO ALLOW THE FUEL TRAIN TO PASS
THROUGH TO THE PORT OF SEWARD.

ANIMAL TAKES CHARGE
OF THE MAIN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE

WHILE BRUCE AND DANNY

MAN THE GIANT SNOWPLOW
IN FRONT OF IT.

RIGHT SIDE IS READY.

LEFT SIDE IS READY.

FRONT IS READY.

WHEN YOU'RE READY,
TAKE THEM AHEAD.

READY TO ROCK AND ROLL.

LET'S CLEAN UP SOME SNOW.

THE WINGS OF THE PLOW
REACH OUT 40 FEET, TIP TO TIP,

TO CUT A WIDE PATH
THROUGH THE SNOW.

OKAY.
RIGHT SIDE COMING OUT.

RIGHT SIDE LOCKED.

I THINK
THIS IS BRUCE'S FAVORITE PART.

I THINK HE REALLY LIKES
DOING THIS.

MAYBE WE'LL NAME IT
THE BRUCE SPREADER.

OKAY, READY ON THE NOSE.

NOSE'S SPEED, 35, 3-5 M-P-H.

IT COSTS UP TO $10,000 A DAY

TO RUN THE SNOW FLEET.

HEAVY SNOW WINTERS
ARE EXPENSIVE.

LAST YEAR, THE RAILROAD
SPENT NEARLY $3 MILLION

KEEPING THE TRACKS CLEAR.

200 MILES NORTH IN SHERMAN,

76-YEAR-OLD MARY LOVEL

AND HER 84-YEAR-OLD HUSBAND,
CLYDE

HAVE BEEN LIVING OFF-GRID
FOR 49 YEARS.

MICE, THEY GOT INTO YOUR
BOOTS HANGING FROM THE CEILING.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DO IT
UP THERE BUT...

I DON'T KNOW, EITHER.

UNLESS THEY WERE SITTING
ON THE FLOOR BEFORE AND...

AND THEY GOT HUNG UP.

THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN
IN THE CLOSET.

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT WE'D HAVE TO DO

TO KEEP THEM
OUT OF THE HOUSE.

BUILD A NEW HOUSE,
A MOUSE PROOF HOUSE.

MARY AND CLYDE'S CABIN

IS COMPLETELY CUT OFF FROM
ROADS, ELECTRICITY AND WATER,

AND LAST NIGHT'S SNOWSTORM
HAS LEFT THEM TRAPPED.

THIS IS MY SNOW BLOWER, WHICH WE
PICKED UP A FEW YEARS AGO.

IT DOES A GREAT JOB
OF GETTING RID OF THAT STUFF.

THIS WHOLE ADVENTURE
WAS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND, CLYDE,

WANTED TO COME TO ALASKA
AND HOMESTEAD SOME LAND

AND BUILD A HOME FOR HIS FAMILY.

AND SOMETIMES WE GET REALLY SICK
AND TIRED OF SNOW,

BUT HEY, THAT'S ALL PART OF IT.

WE THINK SOMETIMES IF
PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE IN NEW YORK

OR CHICAGO OR L.A., WE THINK
THEY'RE CRAZY FOR LIVING...

I MEAN, JUST LIKE SARDINES
IN A CAN.

TO ME, THAT'S NOT THE WAY
I WANT TO LIVE.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GETTING DONE.

I NEED MORE WATER IN THERE.

ARE YOU GONNA
GO GET WATER NOW?

YEAH, MIGHT AS WELL.

THEN WE WON'T RUN OUT
UNTIL TOMORROW, ANYWAY.

THE CREEK IS THE ONLY PLACE
WE CAN GET ANY WATER RIGHT NOW.

EVERY TIME CLYDE'S
OUT OF SIGHT OF THE HOUSE,

I WORRY ABOUT HIM, WHETHER IT'S
CUTTING TREES OR GETTING WATER.

IF HE'S DELAYED FOR ANY REASON,
I ALWAYS WORRY.

WHOA!

YOU KNOW,
I SUPPOSE WOMEN ALWAYS WORRY.

I TRY NOT TO DO ANY DUMB THINGS
LIKE I USED TO.

BOY.

WELL, I'M GONNA HAVE TO DIG DOWN
AND GET TO THE CREEK.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS
IF YOU WANT WATER.

YOU HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE HARDER
FOR IT HERE.

WE'LL LIVE OUT HERE AS
LONG AS WE'RE PHYSICALLY ABLE,

AND THEN WE'LL JUST GO CAMP
ON OUR KIDS.

THEY WOULD JUST AS SOON
WE DIDN'T STAY OUT HERE.

AHA!

IT TOOK QUITE AWHILE
TO GET THIS.

GET GOING DOWN TO THE HOUSE.

WELL,
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?

LUNCH IS READY.

WE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE.

NOTHING CAN BE TAKEN
FOR GRANTED IN ALASKA.

THEY MAY NOW HAVE WATER,
BUT THERE'S NO POWER.

THE GENERATOR BROKE
AND THE BATTERIES WERE DOWN

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING
TO CHARGE THEM UP WITH.

WE NEED THE BATTERIES FOR POWER
AND FOR THE RADIO TELEPHONE,

WHICH IS THE ONLY LINK WE HAVE
WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

THEIR SON
HAS TAKEN AWAY THE GENERATOR

TO BE REPAIRED IN TOWN.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO CALL BUD,
MY SON.

Hello?

HELLO, BUD.
THIS IS MOM.

Yeah. Hi, Mom.

WE HAVE EMERGENCY HERE.

IT'S BEEN SNOWING,
AND WE NEED THE GENERATOR.

IS IT FIXED?

Yeah, it got fixed.

VERY GOOD.

ARE YOU GONNA BE ABLE
TO COME UP YOURSELF?

Well, it'll just be myself
and Nathan.

ALL RIGHT.
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY, HONEY. BYE.

Okay. Bye-bye.

HE GOT IT FIXED.

BOY.

HE'S GOING TO BRING IT UP
ON THE TRAIN

WITH HIS SON, OUR GRANDSON,
NATHAN.

MARY'S SON, BUD, LIVES
100 MILES SOUTH IN WASILLA.

HE AND HIS SON, NATHAN,
WILL TAKE THE PASSENGER TRAIN

TO DELIVER THE GENERATOR
TO HIS PARENTS.

IT LEAVES IN JUST ONE HOUR.

THERE'S NO WAY
TO GET TO MOM RIGHT NOW

EXCEPT FOR BY RAILROAD.

GENERALLY, I'M THE ONE THEY
CALL, JUST 'CAUSE I'M CLOSEST.

THERE'S ALWAYS WORRY.

YEAH, YOU WORRY SOMETIMES.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING
THAT WE ACCEPT

AS PART OF THE LIFE THAT
WE'VE CHOSEN TO LIVE UP HERE.

THEY LOVE THE HOMESTEAD
AND THEIR DESIRE IS

TO LIVE UP THERE
AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.

LIVING IN ISOLATION,
OFF-GRID, MEANS MARY AND CLYDE

ONLY HAVE THEIR FAMILY
TO DEPEND UPON FOR HELP.

IF WE DON'T GET
THE GENERATOR UP THERE FOR THEM,

THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE
TO STAY AT ALL.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE
GET THAT GEN UP THERE TODAY.

THE HEAVIEST SNOWSTORM
OF THE WINTER

IS WREAKING HAVOC IN ALASKA.

UP TO FIVE FEET OF SNOW
CAN FALL IN A SINGLE DAY

IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S ENOUGH TO BURY
A FULLY GROWN MOOSE.

OFF-GRIDDERS,
MARY AND CLYDE LOVEL,

ARE SNOWED IN
TO THEIR REMOTE CABIN

AND THE BATTERIES PROVIDING
THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY

HAVE ALMOST RUN OUT OF POWER.

SOMEONE MOVED MY SCISSORS.
I CAN'T FIND THEM.

THEY'RE NOT OVER THERE?
NO.

NO STRENGTH.

WE NEED THE BATTERIES
FOR THE PHONE AND FOR LIGHTS.

WITHOUT THE BATTERIES,
WE'RE IN THE DARK.

100 MILES TO THE SOUTH
IN WASILLA...

...MARY AND CLYDE'S SON, BUD,
AND GRANDSON, NATHAN,

ARE COMING TO THE RESCUE
ON THE WEEKLY PASSENGER TRAIN

WITH THE REPAIRED GENERATOR.

IT REALLY LOOKS GOOD, NATE.

THANKS FOR GETTING THAT WELDING
AND EVERYTHING DONE ON THERE.

IT'S USUALLY $70.

'CAUSE THEY HAVE TO CHARGE
FOR A FULL HOUR.

BUT I THINK I PAID $5
JUST FOR HIS TIME.

I RAN IN TO MY BUDDY, JAMES,
LAST NIGHT

AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW,
IT'S 2:30 IN THE MORNING.

MAN. WELL...
YEAH.

YOU KNOW,
YOU'D HAVE BEEN SKINNED

IF YOU HAD SHOWED UP
AND NO GENERATOR.

THE GENERATOR IS IMPORTANT

IF YOU WANT TO OPERATE
ANY APPLIANCES,

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE
THE BATTERIES CHARGED.

ELECTRICITY IS GOOD.

IN 2013 IT KIND OF SUCKS
NOT TO HAVE ELECTRICITY.

AND MY GRANDPARENTS
WILL BE VERY PLEASED

THAT WE'RE COMING BACK
WITH THE GENERATOR.

MY GRANDMA WILL PROBABLY MAKE
FRESH BREAD AND COOKIES.

THE HEAVY SNOW IS ALSO
CAUSING TROUBLE FURTHER NORTH IN CURRY.

ROAD MASTER, HUGH EVANS,
AND HIS CREW, STACY AND GUY,

ARE WORKING
AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN

TO CLEAR ICE AND SNOW
AWAY FROM THE TRACKS.

IS IT ICE AND...?

A LOT OF ICE IN HERE.

YEAH, MOTHER NATURE IS AT WAR
WITH US CONTINUOUSLY OUT HERE,

BUT I GUARANTEE YOU,
SHE WILL NOT WIN.

THE PASSENGER TRAIN
NEEDS TO RUN THROUGH THIS STRETCH

TO REACH OFF-GRID TERRITORY,
BUT IT'S BURIED IN DEEP SNOW.

OKAY, WE'VE GOT THE TRAIN
COMING HERE.

IT'LL BE HERE WITHIN HOURS.

WE NEED TO GET THIS TRACK
CLEANED OUT.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW
HOW DEEP THE SNOW IS.

IT COULD BE 18 INCHES
OR SOMETHING.

IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE'LL DO IT
AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN

WITHOUT GETTING ANY OF US
IN DANGER OUT HERE.

ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT.

GOOD. YEP.

HUGH JUST HAS
A SMALL PLOW AVAILABLE TO HIM.

IT CAN ONLY MOVE
A TENTH OF THE SNOW

THAT THE BIG SNOW FLEET TRAIN

BEING USED BY DANNY
AND ANIMAL CAN.

WE'VE GOT A PLOW ON THE
FRONT TO GET IT CLEAR OF THE RAILS

AND WINGS ON THE SIDE TO PUSH IT
OUT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

TRY TO GET THROUGH IT HERE.

COME ON, BABY.
COME ON, BABY.

THAT MACHINE'S BOGGING DOWN
QUITE A BIT.

YEAH,
YOU CAN DEFINITELY HEAR IT.

She's pushing pretty hard.

Hugh, I'm gonna have to stop.
Over.

ARE YOU **** KIDDING ME?

A FEW MILES NORTH AT GOLD CREEK,

49-YEAR-OLD OFF-GRIDDER,
JOHN WILSON,

LIVES ALONE
WITH ONLY HIS WITS TO RELY ON.

YEAH, IT'S JUST ME.

I'M IN THE SOLE CHARGE
OF KEEPING MYSELF WARM

AND MAKING SURE THERE'S WATER
IN THE KETTLE AND ALL OF THAT,

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL ON ME.

I'VE MISJUDGED HOW MUCH FUEL
I NEEDED FOR THIS WINTER,

AND I'M JUST CUTTING ENOUGH WOOD

TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY
RIGHT NOW.

I'M GONNA TRY TO DROP IT
RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD.

I'M THINKING I SHOULD BE ABLE
TO JUST PULL IT OUT.

ALL RIGHT.

I'M OUT HERE BY MYSELF.

THERE'S NO ONE TO CALL FOR HELP,

SO I HAVE TO BE
EXTRA, EXTRA CAREFUL.

WE'VE GOT OUR LOAD OF WOOD.

WE'RE NOT GONNA FREEZE
UNTIL AT LEAST TOMORROW.

I CALL IT A GOOD MONTH

WHEN I GET TO THE END
OF THE MONTH

AND HAVEN'T HAD TO BREAK OUT
MY FIRST AID KIT.

I NEEDED STITCHES ONE DAY.

I DIDN'T LOSE
A WHOLE LOT OF BLOOD.

I USED DUCT TAPE
AND WAITED UNTIL I GOT TO TOWN.

MY MOM WORRIES ALL OF THE TIME.

SHE WAS THE ONE
THAT PUT THE DUCT TAPE ON ME.

MY MOM AND MY DAD LIVED
RIGHT HERE AT GOLD CREEK,

YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS BORN.

I LOVE MY MOM.

SHE DOESN'T GET UP HERE
VERY OFTEN.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE

BECAUSE OF WHAT ALL
SHE HAS TO DO TO GET HERE.

DOWN SOUTH IN TALKEETNA,

JOHN'S 71-YEAR-OLD MOM, NANCY,
HAS LEFT HER HOME

AND IS WAITING TO CATCH THE
PASSENGER TRAIN TO VISIT HIM.

TALKEETNA MAY BE SMALL TOWN
OF ONLY 900 PEOPLE,

BUT EVEN THAT'S TOO CROWDED
FOR OFF-GRIDDERS LIKE JOHN.

I'M TAKING IN WINTER GEAR
THAT I'VE WASHED UP FOR HIM.

I DO IT
MORE THAN I PROBABLY SHOULD.

IT'S TOWARD
THE END OF THE MONTH,

SO I FILL IN FOR HIS SUPPLIES
AND TAKE IN THE LAUNDRY.

THEY NEVER GET TOO OLD
TO BRING YOU THEIR LAUNDRY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO REASON
FOR HIM EVER TO COME OUT.

MOST OFF-GRIDDERS ARE OLDER

AND DEPEND ON THEIR CHILDREN
FOR SUPPORT,

BUT JOHN IS A RARE BREED,

RELYING ON HIS MOM
TO SHUTTLE SUPPLIES.

BEING ALONE,
IT'S AN INHERENT DANGER.

IT'S THE RISK YOU ACCEPT
AND YOU LIVE WITH,

AND AS A MOM, OF COURSE,
I DON'T LIKE THAT.

THE BUILDING HE'S IN NOW
IS IN DISREPAIR.

HE NEEDS A NEW HOUSE,
A NEW CABIN.

SO I GO IN TO ENCOURAGE

AND, OF COURSE,
DIRECT THINGS, AS MOMS DO.

THE PASSENGER TRAIN IS
STILL MORE THAN 30 MILES AWAY.

IT WILL ARRIVE IN TALKEETNA
IN ONE HOUR.

THAT SHOULD GIVE NANCY
ENOUGH TIME

TO PREPARE
HER MOUNTAIN OF SUPPLIES.

IS THIS RED BOX COMING?

NO. NO, I BELIEVE
THAT ONE IS EMPTY.

THANK HEAVEN?
IT'S GONNA BE ENOUGH.

AND THAT IS IT.
YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU.

WHILE NANCY AWAITS THE TRAIN

WITH CREATURE COMFORTS
FOR HER SON,

BUD LOVEL IS WELL ON HIS WAY
TO RESCUE HIS PARENTS.

RIGHT NOW, WITH MOM AND DAD,

IT'S 20 BELOW OR 30 BELOW ZERO

AND YOU FALL DOWN ON THE WAY
OUT TO THE OUTHOUSE OR SOMETHING

AND THE OTHER PERSON
DOESN'T REALIZE IT,

YOU KNOW,
IT COULD BE A DEADLY THING.

WHEN THE TRAIN
IS NOT RUNNING DAILY,

YOUR ACCESS TO HELP IS
UP TO A WEEK AWAY.

SOUTH OF ANCHORAGE,

DANNY, ANIMAL, AND BRUCE
ARE CLEARING HEAVY SNOW

FROM THE TRACKS THAT RUN
THROUGH THE KENAI MOUNTAINS.

THEY ARE USING
A HEAVY-DUTY SNOWPLOW

THAT'S CAPABLE OF BLASTING AWAY
SNOW AND ICE

UP TO FIVE FEET DEEP.

PLOWING SNOW.
THIS IS THE FUN PART OF THE JOB.

WHOO-HOO!

LOOKING GOOD. SWEET DAY.

GOOD DAY TO MOVE SNOW.

THEY MUST KEEP UP THE PACE.

NOT FAR BEHIND THEM
AND CATCHING UP FAST,

ENGINEER BUFFALO IS PILOTING
THE FREIGHT TRAIN

CARRYING VITAL DIESEL FUEL
TO THE PORT OF SEWARD.

THE SNOW AND THE SNOW FLEET
ARE BLOCKING HIS PATH.

WE'RE FOLLOWING
DOWN THE SNOW FLEET.

THEY WERE CALLED AHEAD OF US.

THEY'RE GONNA GO DOWN THERE

AND MAKE SURE THE TRACKS
ARE PASSABLE.

IF THEY'RE NOT OUT THERE
DOING THEIR WORK,

WE WON'T MAKE IT OVER THE HILL.

THERE ARE 12 MILES OF TRACK

FOR THE SNOW FLEET TO CLEAR

BEFORE THE FREIGHT TRAIN
CAN PASS SAFELY,

BUT WITH A PRICE TAG
OF $10,000 A DAY TO OPERATE,

THIS MACHINE
NEEDS CAREFUL HANDLING.

****
THAT AIN'T GOOD.

THE SNOWPLOW
HAS LOST ELECTRICAL POWER

AND COMES TO A STANDSTILL.

WE HAVE PROBLEMS
ON OUR SPREADER.

UNSURE WHY. IT CAME IN NICE.
IT WAS WORKING GOOD.

WE STOPPED HERE, AND I AIN'T
BEEN ABLE TO BRING IT UP.

WHAT CAUSED THAT?

HEY, WHATEVER YOU
DID, IT COCKED IT UP,

AND THEN IT WENT BACK DOWN,
SO YOU DID SOMETHING.

EVERYTHING'S
KIND OF FALLING DOWN.

200 MILES NORTH IN SHERMAN,

MARY AND CLYDE LOVEL ARE RUNNING
DANGEROUSLY LOW ON POWER.

MY GRANDSON AND MY SON

ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BRINGING
A GENERATOR UP.

THEY SAID THEY HAD IT FIXED,
I HOPE.

WHEN THEY GET IT UP HERE,

WE'LL CRANK IT IN
AND CHARGE EVERYTHING UP.

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RAILROAD,

I'M NOT SURE
HOW WE'D GET THIS KIND OF STUFF

TO AND FRO THE HOMESTEAD.

I MEAN, WE'D NEED A HELICOPTER
OR SOMETHING.

THE ONLY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
UP THERE IS A RADIO PHONE.

SO IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY
AND THE BATTERIES ARE DEAD,

THERE'S NO WAY TO CALL FOR HELP.

UP THE TRACKS IN TALKEETNA,

NANCY WILSON
IS HEADING OFF-GRID, TOO.

HERE COMES OUR RIDE.

DON'T TIP IT.

MY.

NANCY IS TAKING
THREE MONTHS OF SUPPLIES

TO HER SON, JOHN,
WHO LIVES ON HIS OWN.

HEY, HARRY,
I'M GOING IN TO GOLD CREEK.

AIRSTRIP OR...?

YEAH, PLEASE.
AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE
YOU'VE STAYED IN GOLD CREEK?

QUITE A WHILE.

MY SON PROCLAIMS,
WHEN I BOSS HIM AROUND,

THAT HE ENJOYS LIVING ALONE.

I THINK HE'S TRYING
TO TELL ME SOMETHING.

YOU THINK? YEAH.

BUT THE LAST TIME I WAS UP,

I NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU GOT
TO THE OUTHOUSE,

THERE'S NO HANDLE TO OPEN IT,
WHICH WAS A LITTLE INCONVENIENT.

IT WILL TAKE OVER AN HOUR

FOR THE TRAIN TO REACH JOHN
IN GOLD CREEK.

I'M WORKING ON A LIST OF THINGS

TO MAKE MY MOM
AS MOST COMFORTABLE AS I CAN

WHEN SHE GETS HERE.

I'M GONNA TAKE THIS HORN DOWN

AND USE THE FINGER
OFF OF ONE OF THE PALMS HERE

AND MAKE A HANDLE
FOR THE OUTHOUSE FOR MY MOM.

THE LAST TIME SHE WAS HERE SHE
HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE DOOR,

SO I'M PUTTING A NEW HANDLE ON.

TRY TO MAKE MOM HAPPY
AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN,

BUT YOU CAN NEVER REALLY ACHIEVE

EVERYTHING
MOM WOULD WANT YOU TO.

SHE GOT MAROONED OUT HERE

AND SHE SAYS,
"I CAN'T GET THE DOOR OPEN."

IT WAS ACTUALLY
KIND OF BIG THING.

SO THIS WILL BE A BIG THING
OFF THE LIST.

I MIGHT HAVE TO DO IT OVER HERE.

WE'RE JUST FIGURING IT OUT
AS WE GO.

IT'S AN OUTHOUSE,

SO I'M NOT GONNA TRY TO GET
TOO FANCY WITH IT.

BUT THIS WILL WORK.

HER HAND WILL FIT
RIGHT ON THERE,

AND SHE'LL BE ABLE
TO GET THE DOOR OPEN.

ONE ELEGANT HOME
IMPROVEMENT DOWN, THREE TO GO.

AND NOW I HAVE TO FIX
THE BULLET HOLES IN THE SCREEN.

BACK ON THE SOUTH END
OF THE ALASKAN RAILROAD,

AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAS
STRANDED THE SNOW FLEET CREW,

BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING UP.

WE'VE GOT VOLTAGE NOW.

HEY, TRAVIS.

WHATEVER HE DID,
IT WORKED.

LET'S GO. ALL RIGHT.
WE GET TO GO PLAY.

LIFE IS ALWAYS BETTER
ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.

NOW THE POWER IS BACK.

THE PLOW
CAN SPREAD ITS WINGS AGAIN.

GOOD JOB.
YEAH, IT'S PROBABLY A FUSE.

OKAY, PROBLEM SOLVED.

THE SPREADER IS READY. STEER
THE TRAIN SOUTHWARD WHEN READY.

ROGER THAT. EVERYTHING IS GOOD.
HERE WE GO.

WE'VE GOT THIS SEWARD FREIGHT
BEARING DOWN ON US.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY TIME
TO SPARE HERE,

SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET
THIS THING CLEANED UP

BECAUSE HE'S GOT SOME HOT FUEL.

200 MILES NORTH IN SHERMAN,

MARY AND CLYDE LOVEL'S HOMESTEAD
IS NOW WITHOUT ELECTRICAL POWER

AND ONGOING SNOWFALL HAS PUT
THE ELDERLY OFF-GRIDDERS

IN EVEN MORE DANGER.

THE AMOUNT OF THE SNOW
WE HAVE ON THERE NOW,

IF IT CONTINUES TO PILE UP
HIGHER

ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOUSE,
THEN IT WILL COLLAPSE IT.

THAT WE DON'T NEED OUT HERE.

JUST 40 MINUTES AWAY,
MARY AND CLYDE'S SON, BUD,

IS UNAWARE OF THE NEW THREAT
TO THE FAMILY HOMESTEAD.

THEY'RE GETTING UP IN YEARS,
YOU KNOW,

DAD'S 84, I THINK, AND MOM'S 76.

IT'S PRETTY DANGEROUS

WHEN THERE'S NO ONE UP THERE
TO BACK YOU UP.

BUT 30 MILES AHEAD,
SNOW STILL COVERS THE TRACKS

AND THE PASSENGER TRAIN
WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH.

IT'S BOGGING DOWN PRETTY GOOD,
PUSHING A LOT OF SNOW HERE. OVER.

IN CURRY...

YEAH, HOLD ON.
HOLD ON. HOLD ON.

...HUGH AND HIS CREW
NEED TO CLEAR AWAY

A PILE OF SNOW
THAT'S BLOCKING THE TRACK

TO ALLOW THE NORTHBOUND
PASSENGER TRAIN

THROUGH TO SHERMAN
AND GOLD CREEK,

BUT THEIR PLOW
ISN'T POWERFUL ENOUGH

TO PUSH THROUGH IT
ON THE ICY RAILS.

GO AHEAD AND BACK OFF OF IT
EASY THERE PLEASE.

OVER.
UNDERSTOOD.

BACKING UP SO I CAN TRY TO GET
A BETTER RUN AT HER. OVER.

FOR HUGH AND STACY,
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OUT,

SHIFT SOME OF THE ICE AND SNOW
BY HAND

TO MAKE A CLEAR RUN UP
FOR THE MACHINE.

YEAH, WE'VE GOT QUITE A BIT
OF ICE OVER THE RAIL.

YEAH, IT'S PRETTY HARD.

OKAY, GUY.
WE'RE READY DOWN HERE.

ALL RIGHT.
COMING AT YOU.

HE'S GONNA HAVE TO BE CAREFUL
GOING IN.

WE'RE GONNA WANT TO KEEP TABS
ON HIM FOR SURE.

HERE HE COMES.

PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON
AND PUSH THROUGH THAT, GUY.

That's easy for you to
say, you're standing on the ground.

THAT'S
WHERE THE WORK'S AT.

I'M READY FOR A BUMP.

THERE WE GO.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT.

ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S THE WAY
YOU PUSH THE SNOW.

THAT LOOKS GOOD.

AFTER A THREE-HOUR STRUGGLE,

THE TRACK IS FINALLY CLEAR.

THE PASSENGER TRAIN
CARRYING NANCY, BUD, AND NATHAN

SPEEDS BY ON SCHEDULE.

ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE.
WE GOT THAT ONE, BUD.

YEAH, WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT
TOO MANY MORE TIMES.

ALL RIGHT.
APPRECIATE THAT BROTHER.

THAT WAS CLOSE,
A LITTLE BIT TOO CLOSE.

I TRY NOT TO DO THAT
ON A REGULAR BASIS.

ONE MORE DAY ON THE TOUGHEST
RAILROAD IN THE COUNTRY.

GOT THAT TRAIN THROUGH HERE.

TIME TO GO HOME
AND EAT AND WARM UP.

NOW THAT THEY
HAVE PASSED THE DANGER POINT,

NANCY IS JUST EIGHT MILES AWAY
FROM HER SON,

AND BUD AND SON, NATHAN,

ARE NEARLY IN EYESHOT
OF HIS PARENTS' HOME.

COMING UP SHORTLY, YOU'RE
GONNA BE SEEING A BLUE HOUSE.

THAT'S THE HOME
OF MARY AND CLYDE LOVEL.

YEAH, MY GRANDPARENTS
WILL BE VERY PLEASED

THAT WE'RE COMING BACK
WITH THE GENERATOR.

HI, YOU GUYS.

WELCOME BACK, AND THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR BRINGING THE GENERATOR.

THAT'S A LIFE SAVER.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

COME AND GIVE ME A HUG.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

WHY DON'T YOU HEAD OUT
AND WE'LL FOLLOW YOU UP.

OKAY.

IF THE RAILROAD WASN'T HERE,

I DON'T KNOW
HOW ANYBODY COULD LIVE.

IT'S 32 MILES TO THE NEAREST
ROAD IN ONE DIRECTION

AND 28 MILES
IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

THAT'S A LONG WAYS TO WALK.

ALL RIGHT, NATE.

THERE SHE IS.

GOOD TO HAVE THE GEN
BACK AGAIN.

WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS THING
CRANKED UP

AND GET SOME THINGS CHARGED UP
AGAIN SO THE RADIO WILL WORK.

SO YOU GUYS READY?
YEP.

LET'S GET IT SET UP AND SEE IF
IT ACTUALLY PUMPS OUT SOME JUICE.

OKAY.

SUCCESS.

GOOD JOB, MAN.
GOOD JOB.

NEXT TASK,
DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH

OF THE HEAVY SNOWSTORM.

WHAT YOU GOT THERE DAD?

WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GET
THAT STUFF OFF OF THERE, BUD.

YEP. YEAH, YOU CAN SEE IT'S
STARTING TO SAG A LITTLE BIT.

DO YOU WANT TO START
FROM THE SOUTH SIDE?

YEAH, I THINK SO.

YEAH. I'LL JUST THROW A SHOVEL
UP THERE AND HACK AT IT.

SO I THINK WHAT I'M GONNA DO
IS GRAB THE SNOW MACHINE

AND RUN OVER HERE.
OKAY.

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN.
YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.
SOUNDS GOOD.

THE ONLY TIME I REALLY
WORRY ABOUT MY GRANDPARENTS

BEING UP HERE
IS IF THE CONDITIONS,

LIKE THE WEATHER,
GET REALLY BAD.

YEAH,
WATCH THAT SIDE SLOPE THERE.

YEAH, I KNOW.

AND JUMP BACK
IF IT STARTS TO SLIDE

BECAUSE THE EDGE
OF THAT ROOFING IS SHARP.

YEAH. FINE. HOLD ON.
I'M GONNA GET CUT ON THIS WIRE.

YEAH.

THERE YOU GO.

THAT WAS PRETTY QUICK.

ALL RIGHT.

SO JUST START BACK BEHIND
WHERE YOU ARE NOW AND JUST CHOP.

NO, FURTHER BACK,
THAT WAY YOU CAN GET

THE WHOLE RIDGE OFF OF THERE.

YEAH, START BACK
AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE.

AT THE LOVEL FAMILY'S
OFF-GRID HOMESTEAD IN SHERMAN,

BUD AND SON, NATHAN, ARE
TRYING TO CLEAR TWO FEET OF SNOW

FROM THE ROOF
BEFORE IT CAVES IN,

BUT IT'S DANGEROUS WORK.

THERE YOU GO.

WHOA! ****

HEY NATE.

GO AROUND THE OTHER SIDE.
TAKE THE MACHINE.

ARE YOU OKAY?

SEE IF HE'S OKAY
OVER THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

HOLY ****

****

HEY, NATE,
I THOUGHT WE LOST YOU THERE.

ALMOST DID.

HEY, YOU DISAPPEARED
OVER THE EDGE OF THAT SNOW.

I KIND OF LEAP INTO THE BANK
AS IT WAS MOVING AWAY.

GOOD MOVE. YEAH.
ALL RIGHT.

JUST A FEW CUTS OF THE SHOVEL,
AND THAT THING WENT KA-POO!

AND SLID RIGHT OFF
AND IT SURPRISED ME

HOW FAST IT CAME OFF THERE.

I'VE RIDDEN THAT SNOW
A COUPLE OF TIMES MYSELF

AND YOU CAN GET BALLED UP
IN THAT STUFF PRETTY EASY,

AND I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED
ABOUT THAT.

THE WHOLE HOUSE SHOOK
BACK AND FORTH LIKE THAT

AND MADE A LOUD RUMBLING SOUND.

THE BOOKCASE OVER THERE
CAME RIGHT DOWN...

POW... OFF THE WALL,

AND IT'S BEEN UP THERE
FOR WAY MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

BUT THAT'S ALL THE DAMAGE
I'VE FOUND SO FAR.

EIGHT MILES NORTH,

FELLOW OFF-GRIDDER, JOHN WILSON

STILL HAS A LIST OF CHORES TO DO

BEFORE HIS MOM, NANCY,
ARRIVES TO CHECK UP ON HIM.

I HAVE TO FIX
THE BULLET HOLES IN THE SCREEN.

FROM INSIDE THE CABIN,
I'VE SHOT OUT AT, YOU KNOW,

AT PESTS AND BIRD PREDATORS,
RIGHT THROUGH IT

AND THERE'S BULLET HOLES
IN THE SCREEN.

IT WAS A SHOT OF OPPORTUNITY.

MOST OF THESE SHOTS
ARE LIKE THAT.

THAT ONE IS A BB,
AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE HOLE,

AND IT'S AN ALUMINUM SCREEN,
THEY JUST GO RIGHT THROUGH.

IT DOESN'T EVEN AFFECT THE SHOT.

AND SO I'M GONNA JUST REMOVE
THIS SCREEN AND REPAIR IT

SO WHEN MY MOM GETS HERE

SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO LOOK
AT BULLET HOLES.

SHE'S REALLY ADAMANT
THAT WE SHOOT OUTDOORS.

NOW IT'S COMING OFF.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO ATTACH THIS
AGAIN FROM INSIDE.

OKAY.

SO WE JUST FIXED THE SCREEN
THAT HAS THE BULLET HOLES IN IT.

AND I HAVE TO FIX
THE NO-SLIP TREAD

SO WHEN MY MOM GETS HERE

SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO SKID
DOWN TO THE DOOR.

YOU KNOW, MY MOM IS SPECIAL.

I HAVE TO JUST BE THE BEST SON
I CAN EVERY TIME I SEE HER.

SHE ACTUALLY SENT UP
THE LITTLE TRACTION TAPE,

SO I'M GONNA PUT IT
ON THE PLYWOOD RIGHT HERE.

WITHOUT THE TRAIN,

I WOULDN'T EVEN GET TO SEE
MY MOM AS OFTEN AS I DO.

I GET VISITORS
EVERY TWO OR THREE MONTHS MAYBE.

AND MOST OF MY FAMILY,
THEY COME HERE EVERY YEAR,

YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S
DIFFERENT FAMILY MEMBERS.

SO IT TAKES
ACTUALLY SEVERAL YEARS

FOR ALL OF MY FAMILY
TO HAVE COME BY AND VISITED.

THE LAST PIECE
IS GONNA GO RIGHT HERE.

NOW MOM'S GOT TRACTION TO GO
SKIDDING DOWN TO THE DOOR.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD
TO HER VISIT.

AND I MARKED ON HERE,
MEET THE TRAIN.

I HAVE TO BE AT THE TRACKS

SO THAT MY MOM WON'T HAVE TO
WALK OR WAIT.

I MISSED THE LAST TIME

MY MOM SAID SHE WAS GETTING OFF
THE TRAIN.

SHE HAD SOMEONE WITH HER

THAT HAD TO SNOWSHOE
ALL THE WAY BACK HERE

AND LET ME KNOW THAT SHE'S
WAITING BY THE TRACKS.

I SENT A RADIO MESSAGE, AND I'M
HOPING JOHN WILL BE OUT THERE.

IF HE ISN'T WE'LL HAVE...
WE WILL HAVE...

JUST THROW ME OFF. SLOW DOWN
TO 40 AND THROW ME OFF.

200 MILES SOUTH
IN THE KENAI MOUNTAINS,

THE FREIGHT TRAIN CARRYING FUEL
FROM ANCHORAGE

IS GAINING ON THE SNOW FLEET
CLEARING THE TRACKS AHEAD.

THE RAILROAD HAULS

MORE THAN 12,000 TANK LOADS
OF FUEL A YEAR.

IT'S THE SAFEST WAY
TO SUPPLY THE PORT OF SEWARD

WITH FUEL FOR ITS SHIPS.

THEY'RE GONNA DO
THEIR BEST TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAIN

AND THEN GET OUT OF OUR WAY
TO AVOID ANY DELAY TO OUR TRAIN.

WE'LL KEEP RUNNING OUR TRAIN
LIKE THEY'RE GONNA

GET OUT OF OUR WAY
AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.

AS OF YET THIS YEAR,

I HAVEN'T BEEN
UP ON THE MOUNTAIN.

USUALLY SNOW IS AT LEAST
CHEST DEEP UP THERE.

REMOVING IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE
SAFETY OF THESE FREIGHT TRAINS.

GEORGE, CALL DISPATCH

AND SEE WHERE THAT FREIGHT IS AT
NOW, WILL YOU PLEASE?

You've got about 30 minutes.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND MOST
DANGEROUS PART OF THIS RAILROAD.

GUIDING THE 67-TON
SNOWPLOW'S HYDRAULIC WINGS

THROUGH THE ICY TUNNELS
AND NARROW RAVINES

TAKES A STEADY HAND.

THIS TRACK LOOKS A MITE SCARY.

OKAY, TIGHT BANK
ALL THE WAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

TIGHT BANKAGE EVERYWHERE.

OKAY,
PORTAL TUNNEL COMING UP.

Portal tunnel coming up.

WE DO HAVE ICE IN HERE,
TRAVIS.

AS WE ENTER THE TUNNEL,

WE'LL SLOW DOWN TO REAL
EASY SPEEDS GOING THROUGH.

ROGER THAT.

Okay, left side in and locked.

YEAH.

CAN YOU CHECK? ABOUT FIVE CAR LENGTHS,
WE'LL BE STARTING THE WINGS OUT.

Just throw it all the way out
and lock it. Roger.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE THINKING
IN 18 DIFFERENT WAYS HERE.

YOU'VE GOT A LOT GOING ON HERE.

UP HERE
IS WHERE GOD COMES TO SKI.

THE TRAIN IS ABOUT 20 MINUTES
BEHIND US NOW.

STILL PLOWING.

TRYING TO CLEAN THE RAIL
AHEAD OF HIM.

NEED TO GET A MOVE ON.

NEED TO GET A MOVE ON.

AT GOLD CREEK,
OFF-GRIDDER JOHN WILSON

IS WAITING FOR HIS MOM TO ARRIVE
ON THE PASSENGER TRAIN.

ANY DAY SOMEONE IS COMING,
IT'S A SPECIAL DAY

AND THE TRAIN'S GONNA BE HERE
IN MINUTES.

I WANT TO TOUCH BASE
WITH HIM AND SEE HOW HE'S DOING.

I'M NOT EXPECTING HIM
TO DO EVERY CHORE

THAT I HAVE DESIGNATED.

I DO HEAR IT.

THE RUMBLE,
THAT'S THE TRAIN COMING.

THAT'S WHY YOU CAN HEAR IT
SO FAR AWAY

BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY...

THERE IS NO TRAFFIC GOING BY
OR ANYTHING.

I HAVE WORRIED ABOUT HIM
SINCE BEFORE HE WAS BORN,

BUT THAT'S WHAT MOTHERS DO.

IT'S PART
OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION.

IT DOESN'T STOP AT 18.

I HOPE HE'S THERE.

WE'RE ON THE SIGHTING
OF GOLD CREEK,

COMING IN TO THE SOUTH END.

HE'S THERE.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, HARRY?

HEY, JOHN.
HEY, GORDON.

HOW ARE YOU, MAN?
NICE TO SEE YOU.

HOW'S LIFE?
PRETTY GOOD.

DID MY MOM MAKE THE TRAIN
IN TALKEETNA?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

- HEY.
- HELLO.

NICE TO SEE YOU HERE.

YEAH.
I'M GLAD YOU MADE THE TRAIN.

BOY,
I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

I BROUGHT YOU A PRESENT.
WOW.

MOTHERS ALWAYS TRAVEL LIGHT.

AWESOME.

DOOR CLOSED.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

HOW ABOUT YOU START
THE GIRL MACHINE.

ALL RIGHT.

I LOVE MY MOM.

SHE DOESN'T GET UP HERE
VERY OFTEN,

AND AFTER THIS TRIP, YOU KNOW,

IT MIGHT BE A FEW YEARS
BEFORE SHE COMES BACK.

BUT EVERY TIME
I GET READY TO GO TO TOWN,

I THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
I MIGHT RUN INTO PEOPLE.

JUST A DAY OR TWO AND I'M READY
TO COME BACK UP HERE,

YOU KNOW,
AND GET OUT OF THE NOISE.

WE MADE IT.
WE MADE IT.

OKAY. IF YOU OPEN AN END,
YOU'LL FIND A GOLD PACKAGE.

THAT'S THE ONE. THAT'S IT.
I SEE IT.

YOU WANT ME TO OPEN THIS?

YEP, YOU CAN.

WOW. YES.

THANK YOU, MOM.

YOU CAN EVEN EAT A STEAK
WITH THAT.

YEAH.

AND A PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER FOR
TIGHTENING OUTHOUSE HANDLES.

YOU PUT A HANDLE
ON THE OUTHOUSE!

YEP.
ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S PART OF A MOOSE?
YEP.

IT PROBABLY NEVER OCCURRED
TO YOU

TO MAYBE TAKE THAT OFF
BEFORE IT FELL IN THE HOLE TOO?

I'M GONNA JUST SPLIT IT
RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE

AND HAVE IT GO
OFF BOTH SIDES.

WHEN YOU'RE INSIDE
AND IT FALLS OFF

AND ROLLS IN THERE
AND YOU'RE TRAPPED.

SINCE YOU'RE NOT THINKING
OF YOURSELF,

THINK OF ME
IF I COME TO VISIT. OKAY.

IT'S REALLY SLICK,
AND I DON'T HAVE TREAD.

BE CAREFUL RIGHT HERE,
IT SLOPES DOWN.

YEP, SINCE YOU'VE MADE IT
IN TO A SKI SLOPE HERE.

YEAH.

YOU PUT THE STRIPS DOWN.

YES.

GOOD PLANNING BECAUSE I CAN'T
BRING YOU GOODIES

IF I HAVE A BROKEN HIP.
YEAH.

EIGHT MILES DOWN THE TRACK...

THERE YOU GO. PERFECT.

...UNDER
THEIR FRESHLY CLEARED ROOF,

THREE GENERATIONS OF LOVELS
ARE ENJOYING LUNCH TOGETHER.

REMEMBER THAT OLD, STINKY,
KEROSENE REFRIGERATOR

WE HAD TO PUT OUTSIDE AND...

YEAH,
I REMEMBER THAT VERY WELL.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE BEAR BANGING
THAT THING OPEN

AND SPREADING
THE CONTENTS, EGGS,

EVERYTHING
ALL OVER THE GROUND.

YOU HAD JUST MADE
A BIG STEW FOR ME AND DAD,

AND HE HAD OPENED THAT UP
AND GOT ALL OF THAT STEW.

WOW, WHAT A MESS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL
IN REALLY AIR TIGHT CONTAINERS.

I DIDN'T THINK THE BEAR
COULD SMELL THAT BUT, BOY.

I HAD MY FACE UP AGAINST
THAT WINDOW RIGHT THERE,

AND I WAS GONNA SHOOT HIM
THROUGH THE GLASS

BUT THEM SOMETHING IN MY MIND
SAID,

"MOM WILL GET MAD AT ME
IF I BREAK THE GLASS."

THE BEAR WAS PUSHING
ON THE GLASS

AND I COULD SEE IT BENDING,
SO I JUST FIGURED

I WOULD UNTIL THE BEAR BROKE IT
AND THEN I'D SHOOT IT.

IN THE KENAI MOUNTAINS,

THE FREIGHT TRAIN HAULING FUEL

IS HOT ON THE HEELS
OF THE SNOW FLEET.

ANOTHER 25-30 CAR LENGTHS,
WE'RE STOPPING.

20 feet.
20 FEET.

ONBOARD, DANNY
AND ANIMAL ARE GUIDING THE PLOW

INTO A SIDING
SO THE TRAIN CAN PASS.

THAT'LL DO.

BLADE RIGHT UP TO THE SWITCH.

I'LL GO PULL THE WINGS IN

AND I'LL GO UP THERE
AND FIND THE SWITCH.

WE'VE GOT TO FINISH THIS
RIGHT NOW

IF WE'VE GOT THAT FREIGHT TRAIN

BREATHING
RIGHT UP OUR REAR-END HERE.

The lights are turned off.

ALL DANNY, WE'RE ALL CLEAR.

All yours. Okay here.

WATCH THE POINT COMING BACK.
OVER.

GOT YOUR POINT THERE, 3010.
LOOKING GOOD.

Can I get a little stop?

3010 all stopped.

WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB,
SO ALL IS WELL WITH THE WORLD.

SHOULD BE SEEING A HEADLIGHT
ANY MINUTE HERE.

HERE THEY COME.

HOT RAIL.
HOT CARS. HOT FREIGHT.

HOT EVERYTHING.
I'M SWEATING.

BUFFALO! WHOO!

WITH THE SNOWPLOW
OUT OF THE WAY,

ANIMAL AND BRUCE CHECK
THE FUEL CARS

FOR LOW HANGING BRAKE LINES,
FAULTY WHEELS,

OR ANY OTHER DEFECTS THAT MIGHT
ENDANGER THE TRAIN.

EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD.

YOU GUYS HAVE A GOOD,
SAFE REMAINDER OF YOUR JOURNEY.

All right.
Thanks, boys. Have a good day.

FABULOUS DAY.

I MEAN, WHERE ELSE
DO YOU GET TO GO AND DO CHORES

WHERE GOD COMES TO VACATION?