
The Civil War is in the past, but former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon can't put it behind him. Fresh are the horrific memories of the death of his wife, killed at the hands of the Union soldiers, an act that sets Bohannon on a course of revenge. This contemporary Western tells the story of his journey, a story that rides on Union Pacific's construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Bohannon's westward travels take him to a lawless melting pot of a town called "Hell on Wheels," which moves with the construction of the railroad.

Violence erupts during the festival of Tin Hau Don in Chinatown; Cullen confronts the Swede; Durant gets Maggie involved in his latest scheme.

Cullen and Mei escort precious cargo through the California wilderness; Eva nurses Louise back to health.

Cullen and Durant meet with President Grant to discuss the future of the railroad; the Swede puts his plan against the Mormons in action.

When the Swede goes on a murderous rampage on the Hatch homestead, a long-overdue showdown with Cullen ensues.