Mighty Trains

Seasons

2016

Canada

7.5

They glide across the prairies of Canada and the deserts of Australia. They power through the cold of the Norwegian Arctic Circle and up the steepest slopes of the mighty Swiss Alps. They zoom into the future in Japan and go back in time in Alaska. Ride the rails to witness the world's mightiest trains in action and join us as we embark on challenging missions, high-speed thrills, and cross-country adventures aboard these fast and powerful marvels of design and engineering.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Glacier Express

It is one of the most famous trains on Earth and is built for tackling steep mountains every day. Take a height-defying ride aboard the Glacier Express and discover the time-honored technology and amazing engineering that make it one of the planet's mightiest trains. Then witness all of the spectacular geography this train fits into one eight-hour shift, from the base of the Matterhorn to the Rhone valley, from the Furka Tunnel to the Oberalp Pass, and from the Rhine gorge to the Landwasser Viaduct.

S1 • E2

The Shinkansen

Japan's Shinkansen is a high-speed legend, a 177 MPH bullet train that has powered the country's economy and thrilled fans for over half a century. Keeping it fast, efficient, and safe is a top priority, but operating through rough terrain and bad weather across one of the most earthquake-prone places on Earth is a major challenge. Join us as we take a 320-mile journey from Tokyo to Osaka aboard this technological marvel, making pit stops along the way to uncover the secrets of the world's busiest high-speed train.

S1 • E3

The Canadian

Get ready for an epic 2,800-mile journey aboard the legendary Canadian, Via Rail's famous transcontinental passenger train. This national treasure travels between Vancouver's Central Station and Toronto's Union Station on a breathtaking voyage that attracts rail fans from all over the world. Join us on the train's path through the Rocky Mountains, Saskatchewan prairies, boreal forest, and lakes of Northern Ontario, and meet the army of staff and crew who keep this iconic streamliner rolling along.

S1 • E4

White Pass & Yukon Route

In April, Skagway, Alaska, is a quiet little village, but from May through September, it transforms into a boomtown. Every year, thousands of cruise ship passengers dock here and take a ride on the historic White Pass & Yukon Route to get a taste of what the life was like for Klondike gold miners over a century ago. Embark on a journey through mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, and trestles, and discover the challenges involved in maintaining this mountain railway and keeping its rare, old locomotives in top hauling form.

S1 • E5

North Rail Express

When it comes to delivering freshly caught cod, mackerel, herring, and salmon from the Arctic Coast to the rest of the world, there is only one train for the job: the North Rail Express. This highly specialized container train travels a 1,200-mile route through the steep, icy mountains of Norway and Sweden, with high-tech refrigeration trailers to keep the cargo in peak condition. See how this mighty train battles treacherous environments and tight deadlines to deliver each catch of the day on time, no matter what gets in its way.

S1 • E6

The Ghan

The Ghan takes passengers on a three-day, two-night journey across Australia, from Adelaide in the south through the country's "red center" to Darwin in the tropical Top End. This train offers an unforgettable 1,865-mile adventure for foreigners and Aussies alike, but there is no end to the challenges it faces while charging through rough, raw, and remote areas. See how the Ghan and her dedicated crew keep its guests pampered and entertained while readying itself against floods, brush fires, and the sheer vastness of the Outback.