{
  "seriesId": "TZOF10cPJK2auQcQRV-pr",
  "seriesTitle": "Back in the Boat",
  "seriesSlug": "back-in-the-boat",
  "episodeId": "9TIgBZYy2NmujYqUSpCk9",
  "episodeTitle": "The Rails and the Flying Norseman (1908–1922)",
  "summary": "ERA: 1900-1929. Use ONLY these verified facts; do not add dates, names or figures. THE RAILROAD: David Moffat created the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific — the 'Moffat Road' — in 1903, intending to run from Denver to Salt Lake City. The first stretch, completed 1904, ran out of Denver over Rollins Pass. SOURCES DISAGREE on when it reached Steamboat: one account says a cold December day in 1908, with people celebrating as the train crossed the bridge at Brooklyn just outside town; another says winter 1909. The hosts should NOTICE this disagreement and say plainly that they cannot resolve it. It reached Craig by 1913, which became the final terminus — it never reached Salt Lake. Moffat died 18 March 1911 in New York City having spent his entire personal fortune on the road. CARL HOWELSEN: born Karl Hovelsen in Norway; nicknamed 'The Flying Norseman' while employed by Barnum and Bailey. Arrived in Steamboat in 1913 (some sources say 1912 — again, note the uncertainty). He organised Steamboat's first Winter Carnival in February 1914 on Woodchuck Hill, with ski jumping and cross-country races; around 2,000 people came to watch the jumping. Howelsen Hill was built in 1915 by Howelsen and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club for the second Winter Carnival; he chose the site because the steep terrain suited jumping. It is the oldest ski area in continuing use in Colorado and has been a training ground for nearly 100 Olympic skiers. Howelsen returned to Norway in 1922. THE ARGUMENT: the railroad and the Norwegian arrive within about five years of each other, and between them they decide what the town becomes. One brings the ability to leave and arrive; the other brings a reason to come in winter. Marv should be sceptical of tidy origin stories. Theo asks what the town was doing for money before either arrived. Dana notices that this is the first time Steamboat is marketed to outsiders.",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-06T13:57:49.460Z",
  "durationSeconds": 312,
  "hasAudio": true,
  "generatedAt": "2026-08-06T05:04:22.024Z"
}