
Is “Hell on Wheels” based on a true story?
Anyways, like many other series/TV shows based on real-life events, Hell on Wheels had to change and add some stuff up to captivate the audience. But enough of that; here are some facts about some of the people represented in the series (Hell on Wheels).
Did you know these fun facts about Hell on Wheels?
Here are some surprising facts about the TV show's performers. The series Hell on Wheels gets its name from a town built for workers of the first Transcontinental Railroad in the United States. This little town was called Hell on Wheels.
What channel is Hell on Wheels on?
Production website. Hell on Wheels is an American/Canadian Western television series about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States, which broadcast in the United States and Canada on the cable channel AMC, from November 6, 2011 to July 23, 2016.
Who are the actors in Hell on Wheels?
The series, which features Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, Common, and Dominique McElligott, chronicles the Union Pacific Railroad and its laborers, mercenaries, prostitutes, surveyors, and others who lived, worked, and died in the mobile encampment, called " Hell on Wheels ", that followed the railhead west across the Great Plains .

Is Cullen Bohannon based on a real person?
Though fictionalized for the series, Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon is based on Grenville Mellen Dodge, chief engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, who discovered a pass through the Black Hills of Wyoming and was present for the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Summit, Utah.
Is Thomas Durant a real person?
Thomas Durant was a born manipulator. Educated in medicine, Durant kept the honorific "Doctor" in front of his name but abandoned the pursuit for business, the only enterprise that could satiate his rapacious appetite for profit. In 1854 Durant founded the Missouri & Mississippi Railroad.
Is Eva from Hell on Wheels based on a real person?
Eva is actually a fictionalized version of a real-life person: Olive Ann Oatman, a Mormon girl whose family was attacked by Yavapai while traveling westward in 1851. “Everyone in the family was massacred,” McLeavy says, “except for Olive and her sister.
What is the origin of Hell on Wheels?
Tough, aggressive, wild, or mean, as in Watch out for the boss—he's hell on wheels this week. This expression originated with the building of the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1860s, when it denoted the last town on the line, which was carried on freight cars as the track was extended.
What ever happened to Thomas Durant?
Much of his fortune was lost in the panic of 1873. With his health deteriorating, Durant retired to the Adirondacks. He died at North Creek, New York, on October 15, 1885.
Did Cheyenne used to be named Durant?
Grant tells Cullen Bohannon that Durant, Nebraska was renamed Cheyenne, Wyoming (also a real city), after Thomas C. "Doc" Durant was ruined.
What really happened to Olive Oatman?
Olive Oatman Fairchild died of a heart attack on March 20, 1903, at the age of 65. She is buried at the West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. The town of Oatman, Arizona, a ghost town renewed by tourists from a nearby gambling town, is named in her honor. A Texas historical marker was placed at her grave in 1969.
What happened to Eva and Elams baby?
Elam and Bohannon find the baby was abducted by the sick whore, whom Eva had previously helped cure, and her lover, as they wanted to be a family and could tell Eva did not want the child.
Where is Olive Oatman buried?
West Hill Cemetery, Sherman, TXOlive Oatman / Place of burial
Who was Cullen Bohannon?
Cullen Bohannon is the main protagonist of AMC's Hell on Wheels. A former Confederate States Army Captain & slave owner from Meridian, Mississippi. After returning home from the American Civil War, Cullen discovered that his wife & son had been slaughtered by Union soldiers.
When did the Union Pacific Railroad start and end?
Between 1869 and 1971, Union Pacific operated passenger service throughout its historic "Overland Route." The last passenger train operated by UP was the westbound City of Los Angeles, arriving at LA Union Station on May 2.
Were Thomas Durant and William Durant related?
William played a major part in opening up the Adirondacks through the railways, and steamship business in partnership with his father Dr. Thomas C. Durant. Yet after his father's death William became embroiled in the unraveling of the railroad business and family battles that ultimately ended in penury.
How did Crédit Mobilier make money illegally?
He subcontracted railroad work to real construction crews while using inflated estimates to ensure significant profit. Because there was no liability, it didn't matter whether the railroad actually got built.
Did Mormons build railroads?
Although Sharp had a hard time finding enough men who could leave their farms to work for him, more than 2,000 Mormon men worked on the railroad construction project. In comparison, about 12,000 Chinese immigrants built the CP rail line from California, and roughly 3,000 Irish immigrants worked for the UP and CP.
Who won the railroad race?
By March 4, 1869, when Ulysses S. Grant took office as President, it had turned over $1.4 million to Huntington. When the Warren Commission reached Utah, it found that the Union Pacific was almost to Ogden and had obviously won the race.
What is the meaning of the term "Hell on Wheels"?
The term Hell On Wheels was used to describe the ever moving rail workers and camp followers (who provided such services as prostitution, gambling, and liquor among others) as John Casement as his crew pushed across the tough plains.
Who was the major shareholder in the railroad?
Durant managed to work his way up the hierarchy in the construction of the rail lines, becoming one of the major shareholders. The following are some more facts about Durant and his involvement in the construction of the rail line;
Is Hell on Wheels based on real events?
If you loved it as much as I did then you also know that it is based on real historical events surrounding the Transcontinental Railroad- Duh. A majority, if not all movies or TV shows based on real-life events tend to exaggerate , adding or removing some parts as they deem fit, except for the latest conjuring movie; No, really, it was pretty much accurate- even the real Lorraine Rita Warren said so. Anyways, like many other series/TV shows based on real-life events, Hell on Wheels had to change and add some stuff up to captivate the audience. But enough of that; here are some facts about some of the people represented in the series (Hell on Wheels).
What was Hell on Wheels?
Hell on Wheels was the itinerant collection of flimsily assembled gambling houses, dance halls, saloons, and brothels that followed the army of Union Pacific railroad workers westward as they constructed the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1860s North America.
Who invented the term "hell on wheels"?
In 1869, the use of the term "Hell on Wheels" to describe the phenomenon was documented by Springfield, Massachusetts Republican newspaper editor Samuel Bowles.
What is Hell on Wheels about?
For other works with similar names, see Hell on Wheels (disambiguation). Hell on Wheels is an American/Canadian Western television series about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States, which broadcast in ...
Where is Hell on Wheels set?
Hell on Wheels, a television series with the backdrop of the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s..., Season 5, set in California and Laramie, Wyoming, premiered last Saturday. ^ Schneider, Michael (December 16, 2008). "USA unveils major TV plans".
What happened to Bohannon in the railroad?
Bohannon takes up with a gang of train robbers but is turned over to the Union Army and imprisoned. Durant manages to get him pardoned. The railroad construction enters the Sioux territory, where The Swede and a misguided Reverend Cole assist the natives in attacking the railroad. Lily Bell seeks to gain control of the railroad from Durant and mails his accounting ledgers to the government. Army officers arrive to find the town has been attacked by the Sioux.
Why did Bohannon abandon his quest to avenge his wife and son's deaths?
Bohannon abandons his quest to avenge his wife and son's deaths, in order to battle Durant for control of the Union Pacific Railroad. Eva gives birth to a baby who was sired during her marriage to Gregory Toole. Elam proposes marriage to her, even though her post-partum depression weighs heavily on her. The Swede takes up with a Mormon family on their way to the fictional Fort Smith and later reveals his true nature.
Why is the show "The Railroad" criticized?
The Washington Post reported that the series has been criticized for not depicting Chinese immigrants during the transcontinental railroad construction scenes. Creator Joe Gayton said "budget-wise and time-wise ... we could really only concentrate on one side of [the railroad building], and that's probably why we, you know, that's why we chose the [emanating from the East Coast] Union Pacific as opposed to the [emanating from the West Coast] Central Pacific." By the fifth season, the show expanded its focus to include a significant look at the role of Chinese immigrant workers in the growth of the railroad.
What channel is Hell on Wheels on?
Hell on Wheels is an American/Canadian Western television series about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States, which broadcast in the United States and Canada on the cable channel AMC, from November 6, 2011 to July 23, 2016. The series, which features Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, Common, ...
How many seasons of Hell on Wheels are there?
All five seasons of Hell on Wheels have been released in DVD and Blu-ray formats. The complete series was also released in DVD and Blu-ray formats on November 1, 2016, comprising 17 discs.
What is Hell on Wheels about?
Hell on Wheels is a Western known for its great acting. Here are some surprising facts about the TV show's performers. The series Hell on Wheels gets its name from a town built for workers of the first Transcontinental Railroad in the United States. This little town was called Hell on Wheels. The dramatic show portrays the lives ...
Who plays Psalms Jackson in Hell on Wheels?
Dohn Norwood, who plays Psalms Jackson in Hell on Wheels, was relatively unknown in the industry when he was cast in the role, mainly landing bit-part roles in TV series and the occasional movie ( Bruce Almighty). With a screen name like Psalms, it’s hard to imagine his next success was in the television series, The Sinner, for which he landed a role as a determined investigative officer, Detective Dan Leroy.
Who played Maggie Palmer in Hell on Wheels?
Chelah Horsdal played such a convincing Maggie Palmer in the series that she was nominated for two Leo Awards for her believable, skillful portrayal of the character. As the series Hell on Wheels came to a close, Chelah was also cast as Helen Smith in The Man in the High Castle.
Who plays Swede in Hell on Wheels?
Every actor wants to leave an impression on his fans, and it would see this is exactly what Christopher Heyerdahl (who plays Mr. Swede in Hell on Wheels) has done.
Is Hell on Wheels season 3?
RELATED: 'Hell on Wheels' Season 3 Finale Review. Since the series ended, he has starred in a number of films: Pele: Birth of a Legend, Norm of the North, The Journey, and The Secrets of Emily Blair. He was also recently cast in Tolkien, which debuted on the big screen in 2018.
Is Glory a fictional movie?
The events depicted in the movie Glory are essentially all historical, if given the expected Hollywood “flair.” With the exception of Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick), most of the major characters in the film are fictional, including Cary Elwes’ character Major Cabot Forbes.
Is the spirit of the movie authentic?
These errors are all relatively minor, and the important thing to remember is that the spirit of the movie is generally authentic. The role of black soldiers to the Union war effort was important, and well worth highlighting in a major Hollywood film.
Who was Bohannon based on?
Bohannon himself is based on a General in the Civil War that, afterwards, worked on the railroad as one of Union Pacific's Chief Engineers.
Is Hell on Wheels real?
Many of you may know that some of the people on Hell On Wheels were actually real people. For those who don't, it's quite interesting. Sometimes they stick to their stories, sometimes not.
