City of the Rails
iHeartPodcasts
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.
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Top 10 City of the Rails Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best City of the Rails episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to City of the Rails for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite City of the Rails episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
I've Gone and Made a Fool of Everyone — E1
City of the Rails
01/18/23 • 39 min
When her daughter Ruby skips town to hop trains, Danelle follows her into the train yard. Yes, there still are hobos, and they live in a secret city filled with unforgettable characters. Train hopping photographer Mike Brodie shows her how to catch a train, and explains why he rides in head-to-toe Gucci.
Want to see Mike? Check out our Instagram @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment, a gripe, or a scoop? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Listeners
Fire in New Orleans — E9
City of the Rails
03/08/23 • 49 min
When a fire takes the lives of Ruby’s friends, Danelle realizes no one else will tell their stories. A reporting trip to New Orleans with Ruby presents Danelle with an opportunity to get closer, and get new answers. Members of hobo band Profane Sass help piece together events, journalist Chris Rose weighs in on New Orleans, and Danelle meets a survivor.
For biographies of the traveling kids and more on the squat fire, visit https://danellemorton.com/fire/
Want to see the warehouse? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a tip? It’s your last episode to call in! Our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Cops & Robbers — E7
City of the Rails
02/23/23 • 53 min
Danelle heads to El Paso, Texas to get the lowdown on the rail cops – the private police with federal powers who report only to the railroads. In a border town, rail cops are the most powerful entities, but is that such a good thing? One dynamic duo shows Danelle how they tried to clean up the tracks, and how wild the rails still are, with Old West train raids, smugglers, and hobos all overlapping in this ultimate crossroads. Ruby calls with big news.
Want to see Colton? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Whistle Stop
City of the Rails
02/22/23 • 3 min
We'll be right back. Thanks for all the love!
Danelle's playlist of modern hobo music here: https://tinyurl.com/hobomusic
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
The Comfort Offensive — E6
City of the Rails
02/15/23 • 50 min
Ruby is coming home for Christmas, and Danelle has a plan to try to get her to stay — before she has to move out of her apartment. Danelle meets Cary Westcott, who walked through hell trying to find his daughter on the rails, and managed to bring her back home, to mixed results. The holidays are bumpy but hopeful, and Danelle discovers the Barn. Then, it's off to Texas.
Danelle's playlist of modern hobo music here: https://tinyurl.com/hobomusic
Want to see Colton? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Tramp Town, USA — E5
City of the Rails
02/08/23 • 39 min
Danelle heads to Colton, CA, a freight crossroads where anything that can happen to a hobo usually does, and has questions for the cops. Danelle gets news about her book deal, and uncovers Colton’s creation by some of the Wild West’s most crooked capitalists. After a visit with a gold miner, she starts to see things differently. A hospital bill arrives for Ruby, and Danelle plans for a visit.
Want to see Colton? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
Riding the Dragon — E4
City of the Rails
02/01/23 • 39 min
Danelle sneaks into a railyard with a hobo, and finds out what it really takes to hop a train. Riders show her what she’s missing, and Danelle finds out about a secret hobo guidebook that helps insiders get around. And Danelle gets a lead.
Want to see those hobo signs? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
The Fiercest Females On Earth — E3
City of the Rails
01/25/23 • 44 min
Danelle heads to Montana to meet the legendary CC Rider, who shows her how a woman survives life on the rails. Modern hobos weigh in, CC gets spiritual, and Danelle appreciates how a woman like Ruby will need smarts – and allies – to get by.
Want to see more of CC? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
The Yard — E2
City of the Rails
01/18/23 • 42 min
Danelle goes where every hobo winds up at some point. Engineers and conductors show her around the train yard, how it works and why it’s so deadly. Danelle learns how railroads shaped our country, giving us times zones, for a start. The world of the train yard is so frightening, Danelle wonders if hopping a freight train means you’re always riding suicide.
Want to see more from the rails? Follow our Instagram @flipturnpods. Have a question or comment, a gripe, or a scoop? Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
Hear more of John Paul Wright's music on Bandcamp, Spotify, and here on his website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
All The Livelong Day — E8
City of the Rails
03/01/23 • 52 min
When the boss wants you gone, it’s only a matter of time, and this rolls out extra nastily on the railroad. In this episode, the story of Nickie Jackson, and how she was hounded by the railroad. Danelle digs deeper and Ruby tells her about a miracle.
Want to see Nickie? Check out @flipturnpods. Have a tip? Danelle’s gathering worker stories for a reporting series. Leave us a voicemail – our number’s in the credits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Listener
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FAQ
How many episodes does City of the Rails have?
City of the Rails currently has 13 episodes available.
What topics does City of the Rails cover?
The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture, History and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on City of the Rails?
The episode title 'I've Gone and Made a Fool of Everyone — E1' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on City of the Rails?
The average episode length on City of the Rails is 38 minutes.
How often are episodes of City of the Rails released?
Episodes of City of the Rails are typically released every 6 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of City of the Rails?
The first episode of City of the Rails was released on Jan 11, 2023.
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