City of the Rails podcast

City of the Rails

When journalist Danelle Morton’s daughter skips town to hop trains, she follows her into the train yard, and across America. Join Danelle as she travels the country to understand what drew her daughter into the hidden world of the railroads. Her guides are the rail cops, train engineers, and hobos she meets along the way, each of them with their own extraordinary tales of the beauty and brutality of the rails. A mother/daughter story unfolds across a landscape of vast open spaces and filthy backstreets, as Morton learns how railroads shaped the modern world - from creating our time zones and QR codes, to the first lobbyists and unions. The story of the rails is the story of America, and through 10 episodes, Morton reckons with our history, and her family history, as she tries what she can to bring her daughter home.

When journalist Danelle Morton’s daughter skips town to hop trains, she follows her into the train yard, and across America. Join Danelle as she travels the country to understand what drew her daughter into the hidden world of the railroads. Her guides are the rail cops, train engineers, and hobos she meets along the way, each of them with their own extraordinary tales of the beauty and brutality of the rails. A mother/daughter story unfolds across a landscape of vast open spaces and filthy backstreets, as Morton learns how railroads shaped the modern world - from creating our time zones and QR codes, to the first lobbyists and unions. The story of the rails is the story of America, and through 10 episodes, Morton reckons with our history, and her family history, as she tries what she can to bring her daughter home.

 

#13

Fans Calling: A Bonus Episode of City of the Rails

City of the Rails passes a million downloads! Cause for a celebration, and a chance to tha... more

07 Feb 2024

12 MINS

12:53

07 Feb 2024


#12

Living By The Tracks — E10

Danelle visits with a kindred spirit, and reckons with the past. Ruby and Danelle finally ... more

15 Mar 2023

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:22

15 Mar 2023


#11

Fire in New Orleans — E9

When a fire takes the lives of Ruby’s friends, Danelle realizes no one else will tell thei... more

08 Mar 2023

49 MINS

49:59

08 Mar 2023


#10

All The Livelong Day — E8

When the boss wants you gone, it’s only a matter of time, and this rolls out extra nastily... more

01 Mar 2023

52 MINS

52:28

01 Mar 2023


#9

Cops & Robbers — E7

Danelle heads to El Paso, Texas to get the lowdown on the rail cops – the private police w... more

23 Feb 2023

53 MINS

53:52

23 Feb 2023


#8

Whistle Stop

We'll be right back. Thanks for all the love! Danelle's playlist of modern hobo music here... more

22 Feb 2023

03 MINS

03:09

22 Feb 2023


#7

The Comfort Offensive — E6

Ruby is coming home for Christmas, and Danelle has a plan to try to get her to stay — befo... more

15 Feb 2023

50 MINS

50:24

15 Feb 2023


#6

Tramp Town, USA — E5

Danelle heads to Colton, CA, a freight crossroads where anything that can happen to a hobo... more

08 Feb 2023

39 MINS

39:01

08 Feb 2023


#5

Riding the Dragon — E4

Danelle sneaks into a railyard with a hobo, and finds out what it really takes to hop a tr... more

01 Feb 2023

39 MINS

39:18

01 Feb 2023


#4

The Fiercest Females On Earth — E3

Danelle heads to Montana to meet the legendary CC Rider, who shows her how a woman survive... more

25 Jan 2023

44 MINS

44:18

25 Jan 2023


#3

The Yard — E2

Danelle goes where every hobo winds up at some point. Engineers and conductors show her ar... more

18 Jan 2023

42 MINS

42:27

18 Jan 2023


#2

I've Gone and Made a Fool of Everyone — E1

When her daughter Ruby skips town to hop trains, Danelle follows her into the train yard. ... more

18 Jan 2023

39 MINS

39:56

18 Jan 2023


#1

Introducing: City of the Rails

When journalist Danelle Morton’s daughter skips town to hop trains, Morton follows her int... more

11 Jan 2023

02 MINS

02:50

11 Jan 2023