Series synopsis
Railroad Alaska is an American reality documentary television series that premiered on Destination America on November 16, 2013. It ended on January 2, 2016. It stars Demetri Goritsas.
Following an elite crew of workers-- brakemen, engineers, construction crews, mechanics and train drivers – Railroad Alaska illustrates the battle against ferocious weather and treacherous terrain to keep the State of Alaska’s critical 500-mile long railroad rolling to deliver life sustaining supplies. 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.
Premise
Following an elite crew of workers-- brakemen, engineers, construction crews, mechanics and train drivers – Railroad Alaska illustrates the battle against ferocious weather and treacherous terrain to keep the State of Alaska’s critical 500-mile long railroad rolling to deliver life sustaining supplies. 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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Demetri Goritsas as Narrator
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 25 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | November 16, 2013 | December 21, 2013 |
| Season 2 | 11 | October 25, 2014 | November 26, 2015 |
| Season 3 | 8 | November 14, 2015 | January 2, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Frozen Danger Off-grid settlers Jim, Nancy and John face being stranded without basic necessities when an avalanche hits and blocks the track. Roadmaster Hugh Evans battles freezing temperatures to get propane to the off-gridders before they literally freeze to death. |
November 16, 2013 |
| 2 |
The Beast A devastating snowstorm blocks Alaska’s lifeline. 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 to Seward. And homesteaders, Mary and Clyde, need an emergency generator. |
November 23, 2013 |
| 3 |
Killer Ice When ice threatens to shut down the rails, pregnant off-gridder Amanda Simpson is left stranded while her friend seeks out supplies. Brakemen Danny and Animal must transport $5 million worth of freight to Anchorage, navigating a wild moose on the rails. |
November 30, 2013 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bear Attack With time running out, the freight crew struggle to make their delivery to a salvage crew stranded in the wilderness and Jim James returns from town with a huge surprise for his wife Nancy. |
October 25, 2014 |
| 2 |
Mountain Danger A homesteader races to airlift his stranded snow machine out of the frozen tundra; disaster strikes when a couple spends their first winter alone in the wilderness. |
November 1, 2014 |
| 3 |
Collision Course Freezing temperatures threaten a fresh water supply; J.T. Evans plans to bring a taste of the tropics to Alaska. |
November 8, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Under Siege A quarter of a billion dollars' worth of military hardware is on board, but a rogue gunman threatens to derail the journey. Off grid, Nancy and Jim face challenges during an ambitious cabin build. |
November 14, 2015 |
| 2 |
Eye of the Storm In the woods Jim and Nancy James challenge a wannabe off grid couple, and Jennifer Hawks tries to find a missing settler. Meanwhile, the freight struggles to deliver a heavy load. |
November 21, 2015 |
| 3 |
Night From Hell After an accident, veteran off-gridder Jim James attempts to reach the hospital by train, but obstacles may put him in jeopardy. Elsewhere, the freight crew fights to open up a port in lockdown. |
November 28, 2015 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Destination America |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 16, 2013 |
| Last aired | January 2, 2016 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday at 22:00:00 |