Alaska RR on Animal Planet

[rrnut282]

Did anyone else catch this "reality" TV series on the Animal Planet channel?

I just happened upon it and set the DVR to record the series. If you can get past the "drama", it will be interesting to railfans.  It follows a lot of the MoW crews as they work to keep the line open.  I never knew a 30-06 rifle and 105mm howitzer were MoW tools! 

 It also showcases how lives are dependant upon railroad operations in that area.  The "tundra truck" operation is something I doubt any Class I will ever emulate.

The videography is generally excellant giving views of the wild Alaskan countryside the tracks go through along with closeup shots of the equipment as it rolls by.

 

[Mookie]

Isn't this a great series!  I am totally city and would never make it living out there, having to travel by "snow machine" to catch the train to go to the doctor/dentist/ or get supplies, etc. 

But you get to "work" on a railroad every time you watch it.  Even under some really tough conditions, they all seem to enjoy the work and the passengers!

[tree68]

Somebody told me about it during the Outdoor Expo this weekend.  I'll have to give it a try.

[samfp1943]

tree68

Somebody told me about it during the Outdoor Expo this weekend.  I'll have to give it a try.

Larry:  Around here it is a show on "Animal Planet"  Part Schedule for April 2 and April 10,2014 linked @

http://www.destinationamerica.com/tv-shows/railroad-alaska/tv-schedule.htm

and this link as well offers some episodes @http://www.tv.com/shows/railroad-alaska/

Sometime recently there was an Item in the NEWSWIRE referencing the program being on The 'Destination America' Channel ( not in this area)

"...Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: Alaska Railroad takes center stage in new reality TV show..."

“Railroad Alaska” premieres six-episode season on Saturday night

By Justin Franz

Published: November 15, 2013

FTA:[snipped]"...“Railroad Alaska” premiers on Saturday night at 10 p.m. on Destination America, a cable channel owned by Discovery Communications. The series will run for six episodes through November and December.
“It focuses on our crews who work tirelessly to make sure our trains get through in all sorts of weather,” Sullivan said.
The show was filmed in early 2013 and shows the challenges of railroading during the coldest months of the year. Early clips available online even show spreaders and plow trains in action on the remote railroad. But beyond the railroad, the show depicts the people who live along the tracks and how, especially during winter, it's both a rail line and a lifeline. Sullivan said including those people is what convinced the railroad to approve the project. Producers first approached the railroad in April 2012 about filming a reality television show, but it was not until last October that it was approved..."[snipped]

Hope this helps to find it and watch it, as it is pretty interesting and worth the time,

[Murphy Siding]

The 105. I assume, is to deal with potential avalanches?

[SALfan]

Yes, the 105 is to deal with avalanches. How cool is that, getting PAID to play with the big boom-booms. I'm not a reality -show fan, but this one is okay.

[Lear35A]

There's no denying the aerials and some of the other video they got are top-notch, but overall, I found this series to be a huge disappointment.  If you think the focus on off-gridders, fake drama, horrible edits (i.e. GP40s turning into SD70MACs and vice versa) and dubbed-in horns every single time they show a train is going to change as the series rolls along, it doesn't.

But if you are a fan of the show, I can confirm they are up here now filming Season 2...and it doesn't sound like they're going to focus any less on the off-gridders.  Too bad...so much potential for this show.

[Mookie]

Lear35A

There's no denying the aerials and some of the other video they got are top-notch, but overall, I found this series to be a huge disappointment.  If you think the focus on off-gridders, fake drama, horrible edits (i.e. GP40s turning into SD70MACs and vice versa) and dubbed-in horns every single time they show a train is going to change as the series rolls along, it doesn't.

But if you are a fan of the show, I can confirm they are up here now filming Season 2...and it doesn't sound like they're going to focus any less on the off-gridders.  Too bad...so much potential for this show.

Granted, it is about a small segment of people, but they do exist and how they manage is beyond me.  They are right out there on the edge if something goes wrong.  But like Hoarders, these are people really out of the norm.  Either show makes me glad for what I do have to make my life more comfortable and clean closets!

Besides, it is something I can watch and enjoy, which is not most of television - which seems more like Honey BooBoo than a docudrama. 

[Phoebe Vet]

When I see people willing to live like that in order to exist "off the grid" I can't help wondering from what they are hiding.

[samfp1943]

Mookie

Lear35A

There's no denying the aerials and some of the other video they got are top-notch, but overall, I found this series to be a huge disappointment.  If you think the focus on off-gridders, fake drama, horrible edits (i.e. GP40s turning into SD70MACs and vice versa) and dubbed-in horns every single time they show a train is going to change as the series rolls along, it doesn't.

But if you are a fan of the show, I can confirm they are up here now filming Season 2...and it doesn't sound like they're going to focus any less on the off-gridders.  Too bad...so much potential for this show.

Granted, it is about a small segment of people, but they do exist and how they manage is beyond me.  They are right out there on the edge if something goes wrong.  But like Hoarders, these are people really out of the norm.  Either show makes me glad for what I do have to make my life more comfortable and clean closets!

Besides, it is something I can watch and enjoy, which is not most of television - which seems more like Honey BooBoo than a docudrama. 

Just a note about the Alaska Railroad TV Series.  

     It sure seems to me, that the( PRODUCERS)  people who edit these things seem to be completely detached from the actual situational realities, and they also seem to feel that unless they introduce some level of "DRAMA" the general viewing public will not pay attention.

    For my part, I find it very informative of the distances involved in the various divisions of the ARR.  Certainly, their challenges with the weather and weather related operational issues are unique  to their part of the world and its environment.   The "Off-Gridders" seem to be of a like-type no matter where they land.  The concurrent series about the " Mountain Men" for example.  

    For my part I enjoy it and sometimes, without the sound.  The strangest part of the experience is that they still run three crewmen in the locomotives, and the Engineers seem to be just an adjunct to the Conductor. I know the Conductor is in charge, but He doesn't get to blow the horn or ring the bell. while the Brakeman seems to be in the cab to add a level of conversation ( maybe prod the Conductor when he falls asleep?)   Looking forward to Season II. . 

[eolafan]

My wife and I really enjoyed season one of this show, despite its shortcomings, and we're really looking forward to season 2.

[csmith9474]

I had really high hopes for this show, but it turned out to be typical reality show fodder with soft scripts and "artificial" scenarios created for dramatic effect. Every situation is the end if the world it seems.

The scenery is awesome though, but that only carried me through 3 episodes. I was really hoping for a documentary style show, but that would lose the Pawn Stars and Storage War type viewers pretty quick.

[Mookie]

csmith9474

I had really high hopes for this show, but it turned out to be typical reality show fodder with soft scripts and "artificial" scenarios created for dramatic effect. Every situation is the end if the world it seems.

The scenery is awesome though, but that only carried me through 3 episodes. I was really hoping for a documentary style show, but that would lose the Pawn Stars and Storage War type viewers pretty quick.

If this show was strictly reality, it would only be on for maybe one or two showings.  You aren't going to draw any kind of an audience unless you have a "schtick" and poetic license. 

I would love a show that follows rail crews around all day.and shows their work and problems solved.  Audience of 1 here.  Doubt the revenue would pay for lunch.   

[zugmann]

Phoebe Vet

When I see people willing to live like that in order to exist "off the grid" I can't help wondering from what they are hiding.

You mean the "off-gridders" that have a house with propane tanks, take their gasoline-powered snowmobiles to the state-supported train to the city, where they get their registered/insured car and go to the supermarket to buy their food?

They're about as "off the grid" as you and me.

[richg1998]

I watch it on Direct TV channel 286. It does provide fodder for the Ranters. It is like Sports, purely entertainment. Lets not take ourselves so seriously.

Rich

[Murphy Siding]

Phoebe Vet

When I see people willing to live like that in order to exist "off the grid" I can't help wondering from what they are hiding.

I was born in Alaska, and lived there until I was 11. moving away in 1972. What I remember about the people, is that everybody seemed to be from somewhere else, and just seemed to be running away from somewhere (some thing). That's why my parents were there.

[Lear35A]

How many "just in time" situations were there with the off-gridders?  The two that stand out to me were forgetting the baby formula and running out of heart medication.  Good thing they caught the train just in the nick of time, right?  Do you know how many passenger trains run up here in the winter?  One.  North out of Anchorage to Fairbanks on Saturday and then south out of Fairbanks to Anchorage on Sunday.  Well, there is the Hurricane Turn which runs the first Thursday of each month between Oct and May, so 8 times all winter.  Imagine what would have happened had they "forgot" that baby formula on a Monday!!!

It was the same drama with the MoW stuff.  Always had to get the track clear because there was a train 'a comin' right now!  Not true at all...it's sad how few trains run up here in the winter; as a railfan, it's depressing.

But, if you liked the show, more power to you.  I will say if you truly want to experience the Alaska Railroad, you need to see it in action in person and not rely on 'Railroad Alaska' to paint the real picture.  Just my $.03...

[BaltACD]

I am wonder how the ARR deals with the Hours of Service law - I am certain that trains, through no fault of their own - will come to the end of their allowed 12 hours of 'on duty time' - in the middle of nowhere, with no way to get a relief crew to them - are crews allowed to 'violate' the HOS law to get to a area of civilization where another crew could get to the train or the crew being able to get statutory rest so they would have another 12 hours to work?????

[rrnut282]

Just guessing they avoid that like the plauge, as in hold them in the terminal if they aren't going to make it.  Can you imagine going dead on the law with a film crew to document the event for the FRA?  Maybe  they will show this situation better in season 2.

 

[jeffhergert]

I would think if a train was delayed at a location where the crew could be tied up for rest and it was doubtful it could make the next location it could do so, they would hold it there.  If the delay happened out in the middle of nowhere and the only way to get the train (and crew) to "civilization" was by having them violate the HOS, I would think that is what they would be instructed to do.

We've been instructed to do that during blizzards in the "wilds" of Iowa and the railroad was able to get some of the FRA imposed fines reduced or waived.  (Fines imposed on the railroad for ordering the violation.  You don't violate the HOS without being told to do so.  If you do, then you too can be fined along with the company.)  I would think in Alaska it would be more accepted that at times a crew might have to violate to get it to a point where they could get food and rest.

Jeff    

[blue streak 1]

jeffhergert

  I would think in Alaska it would be more accepted that at times a crew might have to violate to get it to a point where they could get food and rest.

Jeff    

This is true for the FAA.  Pilots and companies have much leeway in Alaska.