Wagon Train is an American Western series that aired on the NBC television network and then on ABC. Wagon Train first aired on 18 September 1957, and would eventually place the TV show in the number one spot in the Nielsen ratings. The series format attracted big-name guest stars who would appear in major roles as travelers in the large wagon train or in the settlements they passed by or visited. It initially starred supporting film actor Ward Bond as the wagon master and Robert Horton as the scout. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond.
| Genre | Western |
| Starring | Ward Bond, Robert Horton, John McIntire, Robert Fuller, Michael Burns, Frank McGrath, Terry Wilson, Scott Miller |
| Theme music composer | Jack Brooks, Sammy Fain, Jerome Moross, Henri René, Stanley Wilson |
| Ending theme | Sammy Fain (Season two), Jack Brooks (Season two), Jerome Moross (seasons four, five, six) |
| Composer(s) | Lloyd R. Apperson, John Williams (2.14, 2.38), Frederick Herbert (2.14, 2.38), Stanley Wilson (2.24, 2.38), Jack Hayes (2.34), David Raksin (2.7), David Buttolph (2.33), Roy Webb (2.3), Laurindo Almeida (2.2), Hans J. Salter, Conrad Salinger, Albert Woodbury, Ernest Gold, Alexander Courage, Nathan Scott, Morton Stevens, Heinz Roemheld (2.4), Lyn Murray, Cyril J. Mockridge, Richard Shores, Jerome Moross, Sidney Fine, Dale Butts (5.2), Axel Stordahl (5.17), William Lava (5.21), Jerry Goldsmith (4.37), Frank DeVol (3.4), Frank Skinner (2.1), Tak Shindo (2.9) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 284 |
| Executive producer(s) | Howard Christie, Richard Lewis |
| Producer(s) | Howard Christie, Richard Lewis, Frederick Shorr |
| Running time | 60 minutes, (1957–63, 1964–65), 90 minutes, (1963–64) |
| Production company(s) | Revue Studios, (1957–1963), (seasons 1–6), Universal Television, (1963–1965), (seasons 7–8) |
| Distributor | MCA TV, (1967–1969), NBCUniversal Television Distribution, (2004–2011) |
| Original network | NBC (National Broadcasting Company), (1957–1962), ABC (American Broadcasting Company), (1962–1965) |
| Picture format | Black-and-white, (1957–63, 1964–65), Color, (1963–64) 4:3 |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Preceded by | Wagon Master, The Big Trail |
About Wagon Train
A wagon train travels from Missouri to California. The series was inspired by the 1950 John Ford film Wagon Master.
Achievement of Wagon Train
The show ran on NBC 1957 to 1962 and later on ABC 1962 from 1965. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry would later call Star Trek "Wagon Train to the stars."
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Wagon Train
Nielsen ratings winners.
Latest information about Wagon Train updated on July 28 2021.
