When Pearl Chavez's mother is killed she is sent to live with her father's first wife on a ranch and must contend with the affections of the abusive Lewt (Gregory Peck).

Midway through the film, there is a showdown between the cattle ranchers and the incoming railroad crew. A railroad construction camp was built at Lasky Mesa (then known as Barrett Ranch), north of Hidden Hills, CA. Virginia & Truckee #22 "Inyo" along with V&T work cars and Caboose #10 can be seen. 

#22 is seen again pushing it's way through the cattle drive, with one of the V&T Kimball Coaches (#3 or 4) made up as a private car. All of this V&T equipment resides at the Nevada State RR Museum in Carson City today. 

V&T Coach #4 and Coach #10 fully restored at NSRM in 2025. The Inyo pulling Coach #4 in 2022 (right). 

Later in the film, Sierra RR #18 can be seen leading a work train on footage filmed up near Jamestown, CA. The derailment was filmed using a model. Sierra #18 survives in poor condition but was recently purchased by a private collector.