E01
Pilot
A Western about a former Confederate soldier (Anson Mount) and his quest for revenge on the Union troops who killed his wife. In the premiere episode, he heads west to take a job helping to construct the first transcontinental railroad.
TV SERIES / EPISODE GUIDE
Hell on Wheels
EndedFirst aired 2011-11-06AMC
Drama · Action · Western
Hell on Wheels is an American Western television series about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States. The series follows the Union Pacific Railroad and its surveyors, laborers, prostitutes, mercenaries, and others who lived, worked and died in the mobile encampment called "Hell on Wheels" that followed the railhead west across the Great Plains. In particular, the story focuses on Cullen Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier who, while working as foreman and chief engineer on the railroad, initially attempts to track down the Union soldiers who murdered his wife and young son during the American Civil War.
FROM THE SHOW GUIDE
Season by season.
57 listed episodes across 5 seasons. Air dates are provided by TVmaze and can change.
Season 1 10 episodes
E02
Immoral Mathematics
Cullen's deadly actions leave him in a battle for his life; Lily fights to survive her plight in the wilderness; Durant tries to turn a tragedy into a political advantage.
E03
A New Birth of Freedom
An unexpected obstacle impedes Cullen's search for the sergeant; Durant convenes a search party to track down Lily in the wilderness.
E04
Jamais je ne t'oublierai
Cullen's search for the sergeant nears its end; Durant keeps to his hidden agenda while assisting in Lily's recuperation.
E05
Bread and Circuses
A bare-knuckle brouhaha between Elam and Cullen is spurred by Durant's latest attempt to deal with the railroad's financial crisis.
E06
Pride, Pomp and Circumstance
Durant challenges the Cheyenne to a competition in an effort to bring a halt to ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, Elam and Cullen try to prevent bloodshed in town.
E07
Revelations
Elam's life hangs in the balance, leaving Cullen with a monumental decision to make. Meanwhile, Durant risks his financial fortune, and Lily confronts her late husband's relatives.
E08
Derailed
Elam and Cullen are assigned a mission of vengeance by Durant. Meanwhile, Lily tries to settle in at the settlement.
E09
Timshel
A looming railroad deadline throws Cullen and Lily together; Joseph and Elam deal with what their violent mission has wrought.
E10
God of Chaos
In the Season 1 finale, Cullen's past and future collide, impacting his life on the railroad.
Season 2 10 episodes
E01
Viva La Mexico
In the Season 2 premiere, Durant and Lily steer the railroad further west, while Cullen and Elam land on opposite sides of the law.
E02
Durant, Nebraska
Durant confronts a formidable threat to the rolling city, while a horrific crime leads Lily and Elam to join forces in order to attain justice.
E03
Slaughterhouse
Cullen struggles to maintain order while Mickey's and Sean's lives are endangered; Lily and Elam clean up a mess of their own doing.
E04
Scabs
A tragedy leads Cullen to defuse an internal threat to the railroad.
E05
The Railroad Job
Cullen's past catches up with him and threatens the fate of the railroad.
E06
Purged Away with Blood
Despite fighting to save his own life, Durant must try to keep the railroad from going under. Meanwhile, Cullen comes to the aid of an old comrade.
E07
The White Spirit
The aftermath of the tragedy leaves Lily and Cullen struggling to maintain order, while Elam plans for the future.
E08
The Lord's Day
A new arrival stirs things up in Hell on Wheels, while Eva gets caught between Elam and Mr. Toole.
E09
Blood Moon
Cullen gears up for battle as the town celebrates.
E10
Blood Moon Rising
Cullen battles to save Hell on Wheels in the Season 2 finale.
Season 3 10 episodes
E01
Big Bad Wolf
In the Season 3 opener, Cullen and Elam travel to New York to secure their positions on the railroad. Meanwhile, Durant fights for his legacy from prison.
E02
Eminent Domain
Cullen is forced to make a difficult decision; a reporter arrives in Hell on Wheels; and Elam has trouble with his new boss.
E03
Range War
An attack on the cattle pens sends Cullen and Elam into the prairie in search of their stolen food. Then, a stranger's arrival threatens Elam's family.
E04
The Game
After a railroad accident, Cullen and Elam forge deep into Indian territory to secure a new lumber source. Meanwhile, Durant tells Louise a secret about Cullen.
E05
Searchers
Cullen helps Elam track down a dangerous criminal. Meanwhile, chaos erupts in Hell on Wheels as the town prepares to move down the tracks.
E06
One Less Mule
Cullen's position is threatened after Durant files an injunction against the Union Pacific. Meanwhile, Elam deals with a dangerous newcomer.
E07
Cholera
A cholera epidemic in Hell on Wheels has Cullen seeking fresh water to help save his workers. Meanwhile, Durant faces political fallout.
E08
It Happened in Boston
After his workers defect to the Mormons, Cullen recruits Durant to help get them back. Meanwhile, Sean and Mickey's past comes back to haunt them.
E09
Fathers and Sins
With Gen. Grant's deadline looming, a gang of riders attacks Cheyenne while Cullen and Elam pay Durant a visit.
E10
Get Behind the Mule
In the Season 3 finale, Cullen deals with consequences, and Elam mounts a rescue attempt. Meanwhile, Durant receives Gen. Grant and the U.P. board in Cheyenne ahead of the deadline.
Season 4 13 episodes
E01
The Elusive Eden
Season 4 opens with Cullen awaiting the birth of his baby while laboring under the Swede at Fort Smith. Meanwhile, Durant deals with the fallout from a railroad accident.
E02
Escape from the Garden
Cullen challenges the Swede while planning his exit from Fort Smith. Meanwhile, a new adversary arrives and makes his presence felt in Cheyenne.
E03
Chicken Hill
Cullen goes back to work on the railroad and butts heads with his new boss. Meanwhile, Durant and Campbell clash over a valuable piece of real estate.
E04
Reckoning
Cullen faces trouble at home as he takes railroad matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Campbell makes a move against Durant and Mickey.
E05
Life's a Mystery
A stranger's arrival stirs up old feelings in Cullen and puts his family at risk. Meanwhile, the Swede faces consequences at Fort Smith.
E06
Bear Man
Following an attack by a bear, Elam struggles to survive in a Comanche village and find his way back to Cheyenne.
E07
Elam Ferguson
Cullen attempts to reconnect with Elam upon his return. Meanwhile, Durant takes matters into his own hands while putting an old problem to rest.
E08
Under Color of Law
Cullen makes a decision to ensure his family's safety. Meanwhile, Campbell hires a new federal marshal to clean up the streets.
E09
Two Trains
Cullen goes head-to-head with the new marshal in an attempt to free his arrested railroad workers. Meanwhile, Campbell confronts Louise over a story.
E10
Return to Hell
An act of terror strikes Cheyenne as Cullen, Durant and Campbell negotiate toward a settlement for policing the streets.
E11
Bleeding Kansas
Cullen and Durant fight to save the life of a criminal. Meanwhile, Louise tries to provide support as Ruth copes with a great loss.
E12
Thirteen Steps
Cullen grapples with Ruth's unexpected decision; Louise jeopardizes her reputation to fight for a story she believes in.
E13
Further West
As the railroad prepares to leave Cheyenne behind in the Season 4 finale, Cullen returns to Fort Smith to retrieve his family.
Season 5 14 episodes
E01
Chinatown
Cullen is in California with the Central Pacific Railroad, and must deal with the new workers.
E02
Mei Mei
Cullen enlists new workers to help him move a locomotive on a sled.
E03
White Justice
Cullen must deal with the violence in Chinatown, caused by disgruntled workers.
E04
Struck
Cullen solves a Chinese labor strike in the wake of violence. Meanwhile, Durant pulls Mickey deeper into Union Pacific business.
E05
Elixir of Life
Unexpected violence erupts in Chinatown during the festival of Tin Hau Don; Cullen confronts the Swede; and Durant involves Maggie in his latest scheme.
E06
Hungry Ghosts
Cullen and Mei take a dangerous journey through the California wilderness, escorting precious cargo. Meanwhile, Eva nurses Louise back to health.
E07
False Prophets
Cullen and Durant reunite in Salt Lake City to meet with President Grant about the future of the railroad. Meanwhile, Swede enacts his plan against the Mormons.
E08
Two Soldiers
The Swede's murderous rampage on the Hatch homestead results in a long overdue showdown with Cullen.
E09
Return to the Garden
Cullen faces life-changing decisions in Utah as Truckee adapts to life without him. Meanwhile, Durant's lies compromise his new partner.
E10
61 Degrees
Cullen's nitroglycerin experiment provides an explosive backdrop for the railroad life in Truckee. Meanwhile, Durant's plan turns deadly.
E11
Gambit
Mickey's dirty business with Durant leaves him with blood on his hands. Meanwhile, Campbell's return to town complicates Louise's life.
E12
Any Sum Within Reason
Chang discovers Mei's secret and forces her to flee Truckee. Meanwhile, Cullen's search for her brings new realizations while exorcising old demons.
E13
Railroad Men
The race to finish the railroad comes down to inches, forcing all parties to contemplate the end of the line and what the future holds for them.
E14
Done
The golden spike, government hearings and unpredictable actions mean new beginnings and endings for the survivors.
Show and episode information provided by TVmaze ↗. Sources & Credits.