 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, showing rare courage in the face of disaster, in the air, on horseback, or in a screaming squad car. Ranger Bill, his mind alert, already smile, unswerving, loyal to his mission, and all this in exchange for the satisfaction pride of a job well done. Hello there, boys and girls. This is Ranger Bill. That's a sound you may never have heard before, one of the most mournful, lonesome, and yet friendly sounds in the whole world. It's a locomotive whistle, the old fission kind that was part of a coal-burning steam engine. There are a few in active service here and there, but for the most part they've been replaced by modern electric or diesel engines. There was always something exciting and romantic about those old locomotives, huffing and puffing, blowing off steam, then whistling for the crossings. Did you know that the locomotive had more to do with the expansion of our country than any other one thing? Well, it did. Opening up new territory as fast as the tracks were laid. Today I'm going to tell you a strange tale about one of the last of those old locomotives. I call it the runaway railroad. Well, there it is. We've climbed uphill in downhill for 10 days to get here, and now all there is to see is a bunch of old falling down shacks and shanties. This is a ghost town, ragweed into the line. Who lives there? Nobody. Nobody except you and me, and we just moved in. You just moved in. I'm moving out. You planning to walk back where we came from? It's a long way. Walk? I forgot that. Yeah, you old-time railroad boomers hate to walk. Stick around with me, and you'll ride back in style. How you figure? Told you I had a surprise for you. Go along. There's a sign that says Hotel in another general store, and there's one that says Barber's Shop, but nobody around anywhere makes me uneasy. Forget it. A couple of hard-bitten railroaders like us aren't spooked by a ghost town. Now, wait till I smash this old rusty padlock. Hey, what's in here? This is the only big building in the whole town. You'll see. Now, help me open up these big doors. Why, it's a railroad. That's what it is. A locomotive, a cold tender, a combination baggage car and day coach. All that's left are the old rimrock, raw hide, and ragweed railroad. Yeah, the old are. I've heard about it all my life, and I've been a railroader for 40 years. Three hours was what they called it. The railroad without a single mile of level track. Right. That rolling stock must be 60 years old. Wrong, 76 years old. Well, now that we've had a good look at this railroad train, what are we going to do about it? We're going to take it. Hey, can you remember the tune? I had to learn to drive out that music. Boy, I sure do like that song though. You know, I've never seen a locomotive or a railroad like the one Casey drove. Ain't many left, if any. I know. Boy, I sure would like to ride on one. Boy, smoke billowing out of the stack and steam hissing, those big driving wheels pounding along. Them days is gone. Yeah, I suppose. All we can do is read a bottom in books. That ain't the same as seeing them or riding them. Of course, the ladies in their white summer dresses used to get powerful, discombobulated. Cinders, you know, there are a poem about it. Good for Fifi. Say, what became of all this old locomotive, Stumpy? Oh, a soul for scrap iron, I reckon. I guess I'll never get a chance to ride on one. Pain rightly, them real old stackers is gone. If a feather could find one, though, it'd be worth plenty. Sure, plenty. You off your rocker, an old locomotive like this ain't worth a nickel. On the contrary, Boomer, I never made more sense in my life. We're going to steal this locomotive. Why? And by the way, how? Why? Because if we can get this train, just as she is down out of these mountains and near the mainline tracks of any modern railroad, I can sell it for plenty. Sell it? To another crazy man? John Farmer, that's me. John Farmer keeps his eyes and ears open. I know two or three multimillionaires that collect these things. Fact. If we get this rig down to the mainline, I'll just let those gentlemen know it's there and I can name my own price and sell to the highest bidder. But who owns the railroad? I suppose the mining company. This was a lead mining town. That's why they built the railroad. 37 miles of track, all mountain grading. We're about four miles higher than Rimrock, which is the town at the other end of the line, where it joins with the big railroads. But the company owns it. They've forgotten about it. Now look, we're both railroaders. We'll tinker with this locomotive, get her to running, take a look at the track, and zoom down the mountain slick as a whistle. Here morning mail, Bill. Only one letter. Oh, thanks, Ravel. New York Postmark. Probably some tourist complaining because the bear is in the national park here. He aren't as big as the ones he expected. Oh, that's a funny one. Funny how? This letter, it's from some man back east. And the letter had looked as though he was a big railroad executive. He says, I understand there will shortly be an antique locomotive up for sale in your territory. As a collector, I would appreciate having an opportunity to present a bid. Would be glad to wire you $5,000 an option if... Oh, maybe joke. Oh, I don't think so. I've heard of this man. He does buy old trains as collector's items. But we don't have any old locomotives lying around loose, do we? I'll diesel now. Iron horse gone for good. Sure. I'll drop him a line and tell him he must be mistaken. You remember old three-hours? That tutored his last two to about 1910, I guess. The lead mines were finished. It was finished. What a railroad in this day, though. Steepest gradient of any line in this country. Ah, need good break. I'll say. And railroad, maybe what rich man want. Oh, the old three-hours has either been junked or scrapped, Gray Wolf, or just plain rusted away to dust long before this. I can't believe it. Hardly a speck of rust on it. It's this dry mountain air, no moisture, no humidity. We'll have this stacker moving in a couple of days. Well, as long as the beans and bacon hold out, I suppose we're okay. Hand me that spanner. Right. The bother don't seem to leak none. How much steam you got on? Full head. Even left us a storage bin full of coal. Thoughtful of them, was it not? Yeah. Well, one thing worries me, though. Oh, what's that? Them rails. How do we know they're still there and not rusted out? I walked the whole 37 miles of track before I teamed up with you. They carried a butterfly net, let on I was a naturalist. Those tracks are quite adequate. Little wobbly here and there, but they'll hold. Hmm. I thought you hired me as a fireman. I did. This is a two-man job. I can't take this traveling foundry down those mountains all by myself. I need you to do a coal and help with the braking. You scared, boomer? No, I ain't scared of any stretch of track that was ever built. Just that, well, I don't like this stealing idea. I told you. I know what you're told. Me, a boomer wanders around and does any kind of a job there is on a railroad, but... Well, stealing, right? Hand me that Stilson wrench here. You just shovel that coal next week and let me do the worrying. When you cook supper tonight, be sure to use dry wood. Dry wood, you understand? I don't want any smoke. My grandfather told me his father tell him when Iron Horse first come, so many buffaloes, some time train have to stop. Let buffalo go by. Maybe his buffalo were bigger then. Oh, buffalo, same size, but many more. Well, boy, the engineer must have had a dangerous job. That's right, Henry. Sometimes Indians shoot arrow at locomotive. Try to stop train with arrow. But the trains kept going. Say, Grey Wolf, are there any old trains still running around here, I mean? No, all gone. The last old train around here called Three R's. Three R's? Read and write and arithmetic? No, rim rock, raw hide and rag. Train run from mining ton of ragweed. We up in mountains down through ton of raw hide to ton of rim rock, where railroad stop and join big railroad. All winding track, all steep gray. Oh, must have been fun to ride on that. You're right, Henry. But you said that the Three R's isn't in existence anymore. All finished. Well, where did they keep the train when they weren't using it? Railroad Yars up at raw hide, I think. Do you suppose that it's still there? Mining company on railroad tracks, town, mine, everything. Mine where out, company go up a new mine someplace else. Ragweed only goes town now and nobody lives there. How far is it from here? Well, maybe one day. Two day hike across Pompton, all uphill. I'm just the same. I think I'll ask Bill if he'll let me hike over there. I'd at least like to see an old train like that. All you find is rusty tracks. Probably. But if there is a locomotive there, I ought to be able to find it. You got the grease cups all packed? Sure. It's like in another day or so, we'll be ready to roll. Well, we got a nice head of steam up. I can see you kept busy while I was gone. Nothing else to do. We got those letters mailed. Those rich, dense, air mail specials. They'll be waiting for us at Rimrock. We can make a deal and be on our way before anybody knows what's up. Um, anybody gets suspicious when you walk in the raw hide? No, I took that butterfly net along. I think I'm just another goofy naturalist. I, um, I did one thing while he was gone. A what? Well, it seemed like to me if he was going to run this train, he might as well run it right, so I fixed the whistle. No harm in that. We might want to shoo a stray cow off the track. I want to hear it. Go ahead. Sure you can go, Henry. You're old enough to take care of yourself in the mountains. Follow the trails, read your map frequently, and if you strike cross country, use your compass. I will. It's good weather now. A little dry, but pleasant days and cool nights. Be sure and put out your campfire thoroughly. Okay. Don't eat any berries. You can't identify as edible. And be sure and allow yourself plenty of rest every night. Oh, I will. Don't be disappointed if you don't find any old locomotivator, as something called it, and we'll expect you back in about five days. Oh, one other thing, Henry, have a good time. I will. Explain to me again how them their brakes work. It'll make me feel better going down them their hills. Nothing but curves and switchbacks and bends and turns and every inch of it downgrade. Now, you see these big curved pieces of metal? Those are the brake shoes. When we want to slow down, we just turn those iron wheels up at the sides of the cab, and that gradually tightens these shoes, and there's your brakes. Works wonderful. You mean they did work wonderful. The last time this air engine was used, but there must... It's a can. Hello, young man. What do you want? Well, I heard that maybe there just might be an old locomotive up here, and well, since I happened to be interested in old locomotives, I hiked up the sea for myself. Well, go ahead and take a look. Thanks. I was sure Hopen, I'd see a locomotive. Everybody kept saying I wouldn't. This sure is an old timer, isn't it? Yeah, she's what's called an old stacker. How long ago was she built? Oh, maybe 75, 80 years ago. Mind if I climb up in the cab? Uh, no, no, go ahead. Thanks. What are we gonna do? What's me? What that kid have to come up here for? Don't suppose he's spying. Him? No, he's too innocent. Why, this is awful interesting. What are you doing? Getting this thing ready for a museum? How are you gonna get it down from here? Hey, look, kid, what'd you come up here for? Just to look for locomotive. That the only reason you came? Well, sure, I... Who came with you? Nobody, I came alone. Your folks know where you are? Well, sure. My guardian said it was all right for me to come. Who's he? Forrest Ranger. The Ranger? The law. Well, I guess you men are busy working on that engine, so I'll... Well, I'll just go on back home. Go home and tell the Ranger where a fix into steel is here. Boomer, Boomer. So long. I ought to be getting back. Catch him? Don't let him get away. What are you gonna do with me? Well, one thing we're not going to do is to let you go home and spill the beans. Well, Boomer here, let the cat out of the bag. Now we don't dare let you get away. You take off his shoes. He won't go far. In fact, we can use you to do some cooking. Here, another letter from the same man wrote before. McGray-Rodman. See, name here on corner of envelope. Oh, sure. You're the one with the good memory, Gray-Rodman. The answer to that first letter told him I didn't know of any locomotive for sale. Well, let's see what he has to say this time. Leg to differ. Receive letter with definite offer of antique locomotive. Please investigate. See if offer is genuine. Locomotive to be on display at Railroad Siding near town of Rimrock. Gray-Wolf, he says there's to be a locomotive on sale tomorrow over at Rimrock. We'd better take a ride over there. Certainly sounds crazy, but it might be worth looking the situation over. I've got to keep a level ahead and try to figure way out of all this. I can't get my shoes. That's for sure. You know, I've got to get word to Bill somehow. Well, let's see. Those two men are over at the shop, not paying any attention to me. That's good. Here I am in the cookhouse, cooking their beans and bacon. Hey, he had fire. It gives me an idea. The still day. We're up high here. I need some green branches, the kind that make a lot of smoke when they burn. Hey, yeah, plenty on these bushes right outside the window here. I'll just stuff them in the stone. There. Now I'll use a damper to stop and release the smoke. See if I can send a smoke signal for help. So if I can only remember what Gray-Wolf taught me, let me see. One small puff, another small puff, and then I'll go back. You've been standing on this porch for five days now. Never a chance you get staring the west. What do you feel, Gray-Wolf? Henry go that way on the hike. Should come back from same way. I watch Henry do back today. He'll make it. I watch just the same. He ain't never got lost yet. You do back today. Should be here now. Maybe start to go fishing. Maybe just sky locking. Henry do back today. Sure. We've got a mighty pretty day for a hike. Not one single solitary cloud in the sky in every one. The sky. Except for them teeny weeny little ones way up there by the top of that mountain. You see them, Gray-Wolf? Straight over northwest. They not clouds. Not smoke signal. It's a endangered need help. I hope somebody sees these signals. I've been sending them for over an hour now. So that's what you're up to trying to send some sort of message. I don't think anyone would see it but got to play it safe. I was going to give you back your shoes just before we took off in the locomotive but now that you pulled this trick there's only one thing I can do. What's that? Take you with us. Ready Boomer? Right. I will be as soon as I tie this boy to this pipe. Yeah, alright. You ready with the brake wheel? Yeah, alright. Here we go down the mountain. We'll be going downhill in another minute. We'll fix them. The locomotive can outrun a horse any day. We'll be down the hill and gone before they can get started. We're not beaten yet. Henry's on that train, remember? I look like he tied there. What we do now, Bill? Well, we can't chase a train along the tracks on horses but there's one thing we can do. What's that? This train has to wind around and around to get down the mountain. But on horses we can go straight down and that's what we'll do to get ahead of the train. Water and steam. Okay. Good. The trains of yours, they must be 20 miles behind us by now. They haven't gotten this far yet. You see the rust on those old tracks is undisturbed. Now throw some brush on that pile, Stumbie. No brush pile on tracks, no stop train. Of course not. We don't direct a real barrier. We can't run the risk of wrecking the train. Now brush piles to serve as a warning to let these men know that we mean business and want that train to stop. Here she comes! Turn your wheel and stop this train. Straight down the mountain this time, all the way. Down to Imloch. We can beat that train there by 10 minutes. Yes, sir! We sure made fools out of your piles. They look mighty silly waving their hats there beside the track, trying to scare us with their little brush pile. Boss, she's picking up a lot of speed. The grade gets steeper and steeper from here on. She's going fast. Okay, let's turn those brake wheels. All right. Well, turn your wheel. I am. Turn it harder. She's not slowing down. I'm turning it as hard as I can. Well, turn it harder. Boss, I can't. Boss, the brakes. They're smashed. We ain't got no brakes. We ain't got no brakes. We made that curve. We'll never make the next one, boss. Shut up. At the speed, you're crazy. Here comes another curve. I can't look. Well, we made that one. We'll never make the next one. Here it comes. Ain't you driving? Nothing to drive with no brakes. What can I do? You could pray. I don't know how. Pray for me, kid. Joe, Jesus, if it be your will, guide this train safe down the mountain. Keep it from being wrecked. These men have done vlogger. I think they're willing to pay the penalty for that vlog. Amen. So, in view, I will want to save a song. Amen. You can see the town down there, far below. Yeah. I'm going to blow the whistle. What would I do? I can at least blow the alarm. People can get out of our way. Faster than ever now. Yeah, faster than ever. While you were tearing down that mountain, we realized your brakes were gone and I wired both ways and had the track clear down the main line. Set the switch and you had a clear track to coast down until you came to a stop. You Ranger Bill. Yes, I am. My partner and I here, we want you to take us to the sheriff. I guess we have something to tell him. That's that, boys and girls. Only God's hand could have brought that runaway train safely down the mountain after the brakes were smashed. John Farmer and Boomer learned a lesson they'll never forget. And Henry, well, Henry managed to get his locomotive ride after all, even though it didn't turn out the way he quite expected. Well, see you next week for more adventure with Ranger Bill.