Friends of the Rail Forum

There's a very good series on DSTV at the moment called Alaska Railroad. Fascinating watching them clearing the snow before each train. It also features "off gridders", folk who live in little cabins in the Alaskan wilderness miles from the nearest road. The railway is their only means of getting in and out, especially in winter. I recall about 15 years ago when I travelled from Toronto to Vancouver by train there was a similar phenomenon in Ontario, where the train would stop in the middle of nowhere for people who lived amidst the forests, lakes and mountains.

I have seen quite a few episodes of this series. I found them a little 'sensationalised', presumably for the not quite so hardy train buffs, but still quite interesting. After a while it becomes somewhat repetitive as it only covers one line. Nice to watch and enjoy where there is not too much on trains to see.