History Made Every Day™

EPISODE GUIDE

EPISODE 8: “MELTDOWN”

SUNDAY 12/14 AT 9AM ET / 8C

At East Side Access, a rock face loaded with dynamite is primed for a blast that will clear a crossover tunnel space for the Roadheader. At the last second, a meltdown at Grand Central Terminal causes the blast to be delayed, leaving undetonated powder in the tunnel wall. All work at East Side Access grinds to a halt while the sandhogs wait for permission to shoot. Meanwhile, frustration builds on Martin and Ryan’s 7-line subway line gang. Already plagued by technical difficulties, they find undetonated dynamite from a previous blast lodged in the rock face. These “bootlegs” are one of the biggest threats any Sandhog crew can face, and prevents them from drilling and blasting.  Back at East Side Access, veteran walking boss Billy Orr—who witnessed a failed attempt to use the Roadheader five years before—leaves this site for a traditional drill and blast job in the Bronx. Finally, the Roadheader arrives at the staging area. If it works, it will change the face of Sandhogging at this site.

EPISODE 9: “THE ROADHEADER”

SUNDAY 12/14 AT 10AM ET / 9C

The moment of truth has arrived for the Sandhogs using the Roadheader at East Side Access. But before it can do battle against Manhattan’s diamond-hard subterranean rock, near-disaster strikes. As Little Al’s crew tries to maneuver the giant machine into place, it pierces a water line. Meanwhile, on the West Mole dayshift, a member of the gang has gone AWOL, forcing foreman Gregg Ryan and Wes Telesford to break in a “shaper”—a young, inexperienced Sandhog. The hazing is relentless, as are the mining problems that continue to plague the gang.  Over on the #7 subway site, tension builds between Jared Hostetter and his father, walking boss Martin Hostetter. While Jared tries to master the technique of  “shotcreting”—applying a material meant to strengthen the precarious tunnel walls—his mistakes force a delay in the next, crucial blast. The following day, Jared faces the acid test: his crew down two men, he has to prove himself as a solo miner. Back at East Side Access, the Roadheader finally smashes into the rock: will it be a $4 million bust, or is it the future of mining for the Sandhogs?

EPISODE 10: A BAND OF BROTHERS

SUNDAY 12/14 AT 11AM ET / 10C

On the #7 Subway line extension project on the west side of Manhattan, Walking Boss Martin Hostetter and Foreman Ryan McGinty ready their gang for an important two weeks. They are preparing the final few blasts to complete the giant subterranean cavern, the last step before tunneling north and south for the new subway line. Over the past 4 months this relatively inexperienced crew of sandhogs has refined their skills and come together as an effective gang of drill and blasters. To meet this deadline, the crew will have to put all they have learned to use. But as they work, mechanical problems slow their progress, and frustration mounts.  Over at the East Side Access site, the West Tunnel mole gang confronts one obstacle after another in their efforts to mine 25 feet a day. Broken components on the mole shut down production and the gang must go out in front of it to get it fixed.  When the 300-ton mole derails, the gang is thoroughly tested, using hand-tools and ingenuity to get it back on track so mining can continue.  Back at the #7 Line Subway extension, Foreman McGinty challenges his younger cousin Jason on his dedication to the fraternity of miners, forcing Jason to rise to the occasion by leading the gang through it's biggest blast yet.

EPISODE 11: LOOKING FORWARD

SUNDAY 12/14 AT 12PM ET / 11AM C

At the Croton Filtration Plant in Bronx, NY, Walking Boss Morgan Curran and his gang of Sandhogs finish prepping the mole for it’s third and final tunnel. With work picking up again Morgan rehires Elom, Mikey Bones and Romo, returning his old gang to full strength. With Morgan thinking forward to the next job, he needs his gang to begin this final segment without incident, to ensure their future prospects. Over at the East Side Access site in Queens, Sandhog foreman Tom Kelly oversees a series of precise blasts.  But a nagging shoulder injury sends him to the doctor where he is told to stay off of ladders and away from heavy equipment.  Ignoring the doctor’s advice, Tommy returns to the job the next day to build a protective bulkhead, helping to secure to tunnel against the blast. He pays for his efforts with a dislocated shoulder, but his hard work saves the day for the hogs. Back at Croton, the mole gang encounters a string of bad luck, and mining production falls below average.  Morgan, concerned that this will tarnish the reputation of his gang, pushes his crew to step in up - or else.