Disgustingly staged
Longtime Alaskan and former AKRR employee, and this show is ridiculously staged. From the phony "emergencies" at the homesteads along the railbelt, to the fake "near misses of wildlife and trains" that feature stock footage from decade old AKRR promo video, all capped off by the silly quick cuts and overly dramatic music that just makes you roll your eyes. The "emergencies" they deal with are just routine, day to day stuff that AKRR staff don't even raise an eyebrow at. Ice overhangs? Big deal... couple shots and down she comes. Frozen switch? Happens all the time, which is why there are multiple sensors at each switch that phone home so HQ can get a repair crew up there long before a train gets close.
Sadly, something that was barely touched on in the "ice dagger" episode is just how bad things are financially for AKRR. Moving coal, petroleum, and heavy equipment for both industries has been the lifeblood for the company since the track was laid, but recent overreach by the Feds and EPA have all but shut down coal mining and refinery operations up North. because of this, AKRR has lost millions this year alone, and has had to lay off countless more employees like Hugh. Not mentioned in that segment, btw, was the ridiculously high severance and retirement package all those employees received. His family is going to be just fine until he finds something else. Many of the other employees who were laid off recently, who don't have Hugh's seniority and saved up benefits, however, have been struggling.