With an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, a veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock to prevent a catastrophe.
— How the hell did this happen?
— It just got away from me.
— It got away from you? It's a train, Dewey, not a chipmunk.
I only got one rule. One rule only. You gonna do something, you do it right. You don't know how to do it, ask me, all right? Likewise, if you need anything from me, you better speak up...
I don't care if you're talking about a spot weld on a Class 3 rip track or ground operations in Afghanistan, it's all about precision.
— There'll be less collateral damage in Arklow. It's already being evacuated, and we can't let 777 make it to Stanton.
— Look, Mr. Galvin, with all due respect, I've been railroading 28 years. I'm telling you, we got a real chance to stop this thing.
— No, we already tried!
— That was from the front. We're long hood lead back. It's a different situation. We got more control now.
— What if I cancel the derailer and you fail, Frank? That train will be doing 70 miles an hour into that elevated S-curve in Stanton. The damage will be 100 times worse.
— Right. I'm just telling you, the portable derailer is worthless. You got too much train traveling entirely too fast.
— Just wanted to see how you boys are doing.
— We're doing about 60 mile an hour, Connie. Sorry? Frank, I don't understand. We're going after your train. The rear knuckle was left open, so if we can catch up, we can tie it on to our locomotive, try and slow down 777.
— Frank, you can't.
— We already are. Portable derailer's not gonna cut it, Connie. Who said anything about a derailer? Dispatch, they said that they're evacuating Arklow. Two plus two is four.
— Look, I am not jeopardizing more personnel and more property just because some engineer wants to play hero. End of discussion! That train is our property. It's our decision! Now you stop your pursuit or I will fire you!
— Fire. You already did.
— Already did what?
— You've already fired me. I received my 90-day notice in the mail 72 days ago. Forced early retirement, half benefits.
— So you're going to risk your life for us with three weeks left.
— Not for you. I'm not doing it for you.
