The Yellowstone universe has a lot of places, but the notorious “train station” is one of the most frequent—and most macabre—of them. That’s the one spot you don’t want to end up with a member of the Dutton family.
Since Season 1, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Lloyd Pierce (Forrie J. Smith) have thrown bodies into the unknown when it’s still dark.
It’s simple to lose sight of all the corpses that people associated with the Dutton brand have covered up throughout time.
Let’s find out the story behind Yellowstone Train Station and check whether it is even real or not.
The Location Of Yellowstone Train Station
The Yellowstone Ranch, owned by the Dutton family, is located in Montana, mainly to the north of the Wyoming portion of Yellowstone National Park. A small portion of the park borders Montana to the north and Idaho to the west.
Situated directly between Montana and Wyoming, the Yellowstone train station is easily accessible. There’s an apparent bottomless ravine at the edge of an isolated, steep cliff.
What Is The Train Station Used For
The Dutton family disposes of the bodies of persons they have slain at the railroad station, which is a secluded area in Yellowstone. Lloyd claims that because there are no people within 100 miles of the cliff, it has been used for years.
There is very little probability that bodies will be discovered in this isolated area. Many skeletons of the Dutton family’s adversaries from the past are buried at the base of the cliff.
What Is The Yellowstone Train Station Based On?
The “train station” in Yellowstone is based on a real-world location, despite popular belief. The actual “train station”—also known as the “Zone of Death”—is located in the Idaho region of Yellowstone National Park, not on the Montana–Wyoming boundary.
The United States District Court for the District of Wyoming is now the only district court in the United States with jurisdiction over multiple states because the park stretches into Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
How Was The Train Station Introduced In The Show?
“The Long Black Train” from season 1 introduced the rail station. One of Yellowstone’s “branded” men was assaulted by an impolite ranch hand, and Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) gave him a ride to the “train station” after he was expelled.
It turns out that this particular station is actually a secluded canyon across the Montana border, not a locomotive stop.
The Dutton family has been using this location for decades to murder their adversaries and then dispose of the corpses in the canyon.
Why The Name “Train Station”?
The Duttons use the word “train station” as a code. The long black train is approaching, as Lloyd warns Fred, a wrangler, in the first season. He’s talking about death, the long black train.
Lloyd shoots Fred after making this menacing declaration, and his body falls over the edge.
Examples Of Deaths On The Train Station
| Event Description | Characters Involved |
| During Season 1, a number of people were shot and shoved off the cliff near the train station (“The long black train”). | Several people |
| Wrangler Fred battles Jimmy (Jefferson White), adding to the mass of bones at the ravine’s base. | Fred, Jimmy (Jefferson White) |
| The “Party Planner” plans assaults against the Duttons, adding to the mounting body count. | the “Party Planner” |
| At the conclusion of Season 4, Jamie Dutton’s biological father, Garrett Randall, is hurled from the cliff. | Garrett Randall, Jamie Dutton |
| When young Rip unintentionally murders a cowboy named Rowdy in Season 5 Episode 8, the same thing happens to him. | Rowdy, young Ri |
The Location Of The “Zone Of Death”
The Zone of Death, located exclusively on the Idaho border and spanning 50 square miles in the southwest of Yellowstone National Park, was found by law professor Brian C. Kalt of Michigan State University.
Why Aren’t Crimes Punished In This Area
- Based on state borders, federal land that makes up the park is divided among the states of the United States.
- An exception is Yellowstone National Park, which is entirely under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming district court but has sections situated in Idaho and Montana.
- Due to its desolate nature, the 50 square mile area of Idaho’s Yellowstone could present problems for criminal prosecutions including kidnapping or murder.
- It might be difficult to use the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a jury trial in the state and district where the crime was committed.
- This location has an amazing natural landscape with a wide variety of plants and animals, but it is noticeably barren of people.
Are Crimes Really Committed In The “Zone Of Death” Without Any Charge
In 2016, a detailed study was published on this topic; while other media have made minor advancements in the narrative since then, the loophole still exists.
But it’s never been put to the test in earnest. In spite of what you may see on TV, there is no proof that crimes were committed in the Zone of Death, and a number of political scientists and historians think that steps would be taken to guarantee a jury trial.
Actually, for the sake of entertaining television, the reality was exaggerated and fantasised.
Conclusion
- The Dutton family is frequently linked to the infamous “train station” in the Yellowstone realm, which is a horrific locale.
- Since Season 1, Rip Wheeler and Lloyd Pierce have been disposed of bodies at this enigmatic spot.
- The Dutton Ranch provides access to the Yellowstone train station, which is located between Montana and Wyoming.
- At the foot of a remote, sheer cliff is a site with a bottomless ravine.
- The Dutton family conceals their horrible deeds in the remote location by using the train station to dispose of victims.
- There is a rising mound of bones from the Dutton family’s enemies at this place.
- The “Zone of Death” in the Idaho section of Yellowstone National Park is a real-world area that served as the inspiration for the train station.
- “The Long Black Train” from Season 1 introduced the rail station when Lloyd took a branded man who had been attacked to this isolated canyon.
- As the long, black train draws near, the Duttons code-name death with the phrase “train station”.
- Famous deaths include people being shot and pushed off the cliff, Fred fighting Jimmy, the “Party Planner” planning assaults, and Garrett Randall, the father of Jamie Dutton, passing away.
- In the southwest of Yellowstone National Park, the actual “Zone of Death” is 50 square miles in size and borders Idaho.
- Due to legal gaps and complicated jurisdiction, crimes in this region may go unpunished.
- Because of the federal land distribution among the states, the Zone of Death is in a special legal position.
- In the state where the offence was committed, the right to a jury trial may be contested for crimes committed in this region.
- There is no solid proof that crimes were committed in the Zone of Death, despite the existence of a legal loophole.
- For TV entertainment, legal concerns surrounding the location have been overstated.