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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Our Editor's Take

The City of the Rails podcast invites listeners into the fascinating world of trains, railroads, and the people connected to them. It also explores how trains shaped America and a mother's quest to bring her daughter home. Listeners will hear about America's railroads' history, ferocity, and beauty. It is an emotional journey of discovery that'll leave many wondering. People hang around train yards all across America, hoping for a freight train to come by. Why? So they can hop on it and head to the next exciting destination. This podcast explains the appeal.

Journalist Danelle Morton has interacted with people who train hop for over a decade. She hosts the City of the Rails podcast and is a reporter and writer who has co-authored over 15 books. She is the cofounder of Flipturn Studios and is one-time Washington Times bureau chief. She also was a reporter for People Magazine and The New York Times.

Danelle mingles with people of all races on her different trips with one goal—where next? She never wondered about trains. At least not until her daughter Marissa left home and traversed America via trains. Danelle sets off after Ruby, hoping to bond with her and convince her to return home. Her railroad investigations reveal magnificent tales of danger, courage, and freedom. The podcast tells these amazing stories.

City of the Rails exposes the reality of train hopping and the people who chose to live on the tracks. From Northern California to New Orleans, listeners get insight into life on trains. Sound bytes on the podcast include interviews with a range of characters. Railroad cops and staff and random train hoppers are some of the people interviewed. Listeners will hear and learn unexpected things like the best places to hide on a freight train.

The City of the Rails podcast presents an unedited view of life around the rails. It is an adult and gritty podcast with depictions of violence. The ten-episode series is a compelling listen.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Play Trailer

Introducing: City of the Rails

Introducing: City of the Rails

When journalist Danelle Morton’s daughter skips town to hop trains, Morton follows her into the train yard, and across America. In City of the Rails, the listener shadows Morton as she travels the country trying to understand what drew her daughter to this life. 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. City of the Rails’ mother/daughter story unfolds across a landscape of vast open spaces and filthy backstreets as Morton shows us 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

Fans Calling: A Bonus Episode of City of the Rails

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 thank all of you who sent so much love. To mark this big achievement, we made a bonus episode featuring just some of the hundreds of voicemails we got from people who adored the show (and also a few from some who didn't like it). Big question: Where's Season 2? We didn't get renewed for a second season, but we're trying to find a podcast home for the next chapter in this story: The Railroad Murders. And we're still working on the railroad. Check out Danelle's investigative work with a team from ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country Want to stay in touch? Find us @flipturnpods and keep an eye on danellemorton.com. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail at ‪(707) 653-0339‬. We’re keeping the lines open just for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living By The Tracks — E10

Living By The Tracks — E10

Danelle visits with a kindred spirit, and reckons with the past. Ruby and Danelle finally talk about it. Kiwi weighs in and looks back on Profane Sass. Danelle pursues several new leads. Plus CC Rider, a Western bar, and a road dog named Nikita. Thank you for listening to Season One! We’ve got good things planned – stick around. And listen to The Yard: Songs Inspired by City of the Rails at aaronkaufmanmusic.com/theyard/ Danelle's playlist of modern hobo music at tinyurl.com/hobomusic Want to stay in touch? Find us @flipturnpods and keep an eye on danellemorton.com. Have a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail. We’re keeping the lines open just for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fire in New Orleans — E9

Fire in New Orleans — E9

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.

All The Livelong Day — E8

All The Livelong Day — E8

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.

Cops & Robbers — E7

Cops & Robbers — E7

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.

We'll be right back. Thanks for all the love! Danelle's playlist of modern hobo music here: https://tinyurl.com/hobomusicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Comfort Offensive — E6

The Comfort Offensive — E6

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.

Tramp Town, USA — E5

Tramp Town, USA — E5

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.

Riding the Dragon — E4

Riding the Dragon — E4

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.

The Fiercest Females On Earth — E3

The Fiercest Females On Earth — E3

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.

The Yard — E2

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.

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

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. 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.

Introducing: City of the Rails

Introducing: City of the Rails

When journalist Danelle Morton’s daughter skips town to hop trains, Morton follows her into the train yard, and across America. In City of the Rails, the listener shadows Morton as she travels the country trying to understand what drew her daughter to this life. 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. City of the Rails’ mother/daughter story unfolds across a landscape of vast open spaces and filthy backstreets as Morton shows us 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.