Ep 2. Quick, Hide the Railroad

The show Petticoat Junction follows the lives of the residents of Hooterville, a small town situated in rural America. In season 1 episode 2, titled "Quick, Hide the Railroad," the inhabitants of the Shady Rest Hotel get ready for a celebration to mark the arrival of the new Cannonball train.

The episode begins with Kate Bradley, the owner of the Shady Rest Hotel, looking forward to the arrival of the Cannonball. To make sure the passengers enjoy their stay at the hotel, she assigns various tasks to the hotel staff, which include her three daughters, Betty Jo, Bobbie Jo, and Billie Jo.

As the staff is preparing for the arrival of the train, Uncle Joe, who often finds ways to make a quick buck, overhears that the Cannonball may not stop at the Shady Rest Hotel. In an attempt to ensure that they get a share of the profits from the train's passengers, Uncle Joe decides to hide the railroad track. The rest of the staff is unaware of Uncle Joe's scheme, and as a result, chaos ensues as they become increasingly frustrated with the lack of train traffic.

Meanwhile, the train's engineer, Charley Pratt, is puzzled when he cannot locate the Shady Rest stop on the schedule. As he approaches the town, he notices the disruption caused by the hotel staff and Uncle Joe, and he decides to come up with a plan that will help them.

The episode also features a side plot involving Betty Jo, who is trying to raise money to buy a new dress for the upcoming Founder's Day celebration. While trying to come up with creative ways to make money, she ends up getting into trouble with her younger sister Billie Jo.

Despite the chaos and confusion caused by Uncle Joe's scheme, everything turns out alright in the end as the Cannonball makes a stop at the Shady Rest, the passengers enjoy their stay at the hotel, and Betty Jo is able to buy her new dress.

Overall, "Quick, Hide the Railroad" is a light-hearted and entertaining episode that showcases the unique characters of Hooterville and their willingness to go to great lengths to get what they want. The storyline involving Uncle Joe's scheme adds an element of excitement and anticipation, while the sub-plot involving the sisters adds a touch of humor and relatability to the episode. Fans of classic sitcoms will enjoy the charming characters and wholesome humor of Petticoat Junction.