Ep 4. Ice Cold Express

Ice Cold Express is the fourth episode of the first season of Extreme Trains. In this episode, host Matt Bown travels on a train that braves extreme weather conditions to transport goods from Winnipeg, Canada to Churchill, a remote town on the shores of Hudson Bay.

The train journey begins in Winnipeg, where Matt discovers the challenges of loading frozen cargo onto the train. The cargo includes everything from frozen food to scientific equipment, and the loading process is meticulously planned to ensure that the cargo stays frozen. Matt helps load crates of frozen shrimp onto the train and marvels at the efficiency of the workers who load over 100 tons of cargo onto the train.

The train that Matt boards is a unique one – it has a reinforced frame that allows it to travel on unstable terrain and withstand high winds and heavy snow. The train is also equipped with a snowplow at the front, which ensures that the train can make it through even the heaviest of snowstorms.

As the train sets off on its journey, Matt experiences the rugged terrain and harsh conditions that the train crew faces on a daily basis. The train travels through the Canadian Shield, a hilly and rocky terrain that requires the train to navigate steep curves and tight curves. The train also crosses several rivers and lakes, and Matt marvels at the engineering feat that allowed for the construction of the bridges that cross these bodies of water.

The highlight of the journey is the section of the track that traverses the tundra – a vast and barren landscape that is covered in snow for most of the year. Here, the wind chill can be as low as -50 degrees Celsius, making it one of the harshest environments on the planet. The train crew faces several challenges here, including snowdrifts that can reach up to 20 feet in height and ice that can build up on the tracks. Matt watches in awe as the train powers through these conditions, thanks to its reliable and robust design.

As the train approaches Churchill, Matt learns about the town's importance as a strategic location for shipping goods to the Arctic. Churchill is the only rail link to the townships of the Hudson Bay area, and the train plays a vital role in transporting goods in and out of the town. The train is met by a team of workers who unload the cargo and ensure that it is safely stored in freezers until it can be transported to its final destination.

Ice Cold Express is a fascinating journey into the world of extreme trains and the challenges faced by their crews. From freezing temperatures to rugged terrain, this episode showcases the ingenuity and resilience of the people who make these journeys possible. Matt Bown's narration adds an informative and entertaining element to the show, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of trains and transport.