Tough Trains
Season 1
Tough Trains takes viewers on some of the most epic and hard-core train journeys on the planet. Trips that should take hours often take days, and nights that should be spent in towns are spent aboard tough trains.
Where to Watch Tough Trains • Season 1
6 Episodes
- Across Bolivia: The Pantanal to the Pacific Coast
E1Across Bolivia: The Pantanal to the Pacific CoastSince the 1860s, Bolivia has lost land to all its surrounding countries, leaving it land locked and without vital access to coastal ports. Zay Harding travels along these railways from the Brazilian Pantanal to the Chilean coast. - India: Overcrowded and Unstoppable
E2India: Overcrowded and UnstoppableIndia’s vast railway network, built by the British in the 19th century, played a critical role in both colonial trade and the country’s fight for independence. Spanning 71,000 miles of track and connecting over 7,500 stations, the railways remain essential to India’s economy and everyday life. From overcrowded trains in the unbelievable heat to historic stations like Muzaffarpur and Lucknow, this journey reveals the challenges of train travel in India. Along the way, we uncover stories of resilience—from the Sepoy Rebellion and Gandhi’s anti-colonial campaign to the horrors of Partition and the increasing demand for women-only carriages. The adventure concludes with a ride on the Kangra Valley Railway, to the Himalayas. - Cuba's Sugar Trains
E3Cuba's Sugar TrainsEnthusiastic Ian Wright takes a train journey across the Caribbean island of Cuba. Starting in Havana, he travels to places such as Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Morón. Special calm train rides with unexpected stories. Ending with a ride in a steam train. You get a quick view of nice places in Cuba. - American Transcontinental Railroad
E4American Transcontinental RailroadWe explore the rich history of railroads in the USA with a 3,000-mile journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, passing through four time zones and twelve states. Starting at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, the journey delves into the Transcontinental Railroad, a key engineering feat that united America. The adventure continues through New York’s Grand Central, Chicago, and Omaha, where the Union Pacific began, and highlights railroads’ role in the Civil War. In Denver, we learn about the impact of mining railroads on Native American communities. The route moves through the Rockies to Utah, where we visit the completion site of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. In Truckee, we reflect on the challenges faced by Chinese laborers, ending in Sacramento and taking a boat to San Francisco. This journey underscores the Transcontinental Railroad’s significance in shaping America. - Siberia's Ice Trains
E5Siberia's Ice TrainsIn the heart of Siberia, deep within the Arctic Circle, Siberia’s Ice Trains operate under extreme conditions, with temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius and frequent snowstorms. Starting in Tobolsk, the journey heads 1,000 miles north to Novy Urengoy, Russia’s largest gas field. The railway is crucial for exporting condensed gas, and snowplough trains work tirelessly to keep lines open. From Novy Urengoy, the journey continues across the gas fields to Nadym, where a new railway is being built over Stalin’s infamous "Railway of Death." This harsh Arctic wilderness is also home to the nomadic Nenets people. The journey ends at Labytnangi, where a private train line runs to the Bovanenkovo gas field, the world’s northernmost railway. - Vietnam: Reunification Express
E6Vietnam: Reunification ExpressVietnam’s railways, established under French colonial rule and completed in 1936, have faced a century of poor maintenance, conflict, and accidents. Accounting for 2% of the country’s annual deaths, railway safety remains a major concern. During the Vietnam War, the network became a vital supply route but also a prime target for US bombing, with engineers working tirelessly to keep it operational despite repeated destruction. Stretching from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, the railway reflects the country’s turbulent history. It remains essential today, supporting industries, transporting market goods, and serving as a critical north-south connection, though still in need of upgrades. Amidst the challenges, these resilient trains continue to play a vital role in both Vietnam’s economy and daily life.
