Ep 1. Under Siege

Railroad Alaska is a reality television show that documents the lives of a group of people living in the remote areas of Alaska, who rely mainly on a train for their survival. In season 3 episode 1, titled "Under Siege," the show goes deeper into the challenges the inhabitants of this area face, specifically those involving the train.

The episode starts off with the Alaska Railroad bracing itself for the busiest season of the year. The railway is the only lifeline connection between the remote communities of Alaska, and the crew anticipates the pressure that comes along with increased train traffic. As much as they’re prepared for it, they may not have anticipated some of the issues they encounter.

One of the most significant issues a train crew can face is a derailment, and being in the wilderness of Alaska, it’s not an easy fix. When a section of the track breaks, experts must find a way to fix it before the next train comes through. This episode follows the train maintenance crew as they go through such a challenge.

What the crew doesn't anticipate is a wildlife threat. Alaska is home to a plethora of dangerous wildlife, and one such danger is a pack of wolves. The rail tracks cross one of their territories, and since the wolf population is dwindling, the animals are getting more aggressive as they protect their territory. The pack starts attacking the structures of the railway, causing considerable damage. It becomes a standoff between the people and the wolves as the pack refuses to back away from the tracks.

Meanwhile, one of the train conductors, Ronald, is faced with a problem when his train breaks down unexpectedly. He is left to deal with the situation while being exposed to the cold and harsh weather. The train is his only protection against the cold, and he knows that spending the night out in the open could be fatal. He has to keep his passengers warm and work out how to get the train back on track before it’s too late.

The episode also explores how goods and supplies are transported to the remote communities. The freight train is the lifeline of these communities who rely on the train to bring them their supplies and necessities. This time, the train is carrying a delivery of oil drums to the small town of Whittier. The railroad requests backup for this particular shipment in case of any eventuality on the way,

As the train passes through the remote Alaskan wilderness, the narrator describes how the scenery can change suddenly, turning from a serene landscape into a place of danger in just a split second. This episode highlights how the train and wildlife coexist, with bits of information on how to stay safe in the wilderness.

The show does an excellent job of showing how the Alaska Railroad operates and how critical it is to people living in these remote areas. The crew shows the resilience and ability to overcome the obstacles that come their way as they maintain and ensure the trains run smoothly. The fact that the film crew is allowed access to the operations is testament to how important they believe the show is in showcasing the daily lives of those in remote Alaska.

Overall, Railroad Alaska season 3 episode 1 "Under Siege," is an enthralling show that takes the viewer on a ride through Alaska's wilderness. We see the challenges that the crew must overcome to ensure the train runs smoothly, and how they ultimately rely on the train to survive. We see the ever-present threats of wildlife and weather, and how the people of Alaska must be resourceful and resilient to continue thriving in these dangerous and isolated conditions.