Wagon Train
1 9 5 7 - 1 9 6 5 (USA)
442 x 60 minute episodes
Wagon Train aired on NBC between 1957 and 1962, and
switched to ABC for the seasons between 1962 and 1965. The series
was also syndicated under the title Major Adams, Trailmaster.
Wagon Train master Major Seth Adams and scout Flint McCullough
left St Joseph, Missouri, for the West Coast and faced a series of
adventures and mishaps on the Indian controlled plains in post
-Civil War America. They were accompanied by other trail scouts
(including Bill Hawks, Cooper Smith and Duke Shannon) and by cook
Charlie Wooster.
Stories also revolved around encounters with friendly and
unfriendly folk they met during their travels through the endless
deserts, and the towering passes of the Rocky Mountains.
Indeed, what made Wagon Train work were these characters
who passed in and out of episodes. Some were God-fearin' settlers,
others young adventurers, others scoundrels.
Wagon Train became a British political issue in 1959 as
the Labour Party fretted about the general election being held on
the same day as the series was screened, in case it kept their
supporters away from the polling booths - The result of the
election showed that their fears were not unfounded.
When Ward Bond died in 1961, John McIntire was introduced as
the new wagon master, Chris Hale.
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