Atlas Shrugged

Eddie sits in the cafeteria, speaking quietly with a railroad worker he trusts. Although he now holds the title of Vice-President in Charge of Operation at Taggart Transcontinental, he says he feels like a fugitive. He has avoided the cafeteria for months because people stare at him. Eddie explains that he has not seen Dagny in two weeks, but they still speak every day by phone. He says she sounds energized, focused on her work with the John Galt Line, even though the media no longer reports on it.

Eddie reveals that despite Dagny’s success, the railroad faces a major problem: its locomotives are outdated and cannot handle the high speeds made possible by Rearden Metal rails. However, there has been a promising development—Dwight Sanders, a talented engineer, recently bought United Locomotive Works and plans to build powerful new Diesel engines. Eddie and Dagny have just signed a contract for the first 10 engines, which gives Eddie some hope despite lingering fears about the railroad’s future. Eddie laments that he is now effectively Dagny’s “stooge,” holding a position that rightfully belongs to her, while she runs her new company—John Galt, Inc.—from a small, rundown office across from Taggart’s terminal.

Dagny works through exhaustion in her cramped new headquarters, a run-down two-room office facing a dark alley near the Taggart Terminal. She flies back to New York after hearing that Dwight Sanders has abruptly retired without offering any explanation. She cannot locate him or uncover his reasons, and the news leaves her discouraged and overwhelmed. Late at night, during a moment of quiet despair, she feels deeply isolated and begins to believe that something vital in the world has gone missing. She notices the shadow of a man standing just outside her office door, clearly unsure whether to come in or leave. Dagny watches as he hesitates and then vanishes into the darkness. She runs outside to find him, but the alley is empty.

Meanwhile, Hank faces an equally difficult challenge. The Equalization of Opportunity Bill requires him to sell his iron ore mines, and he reluctantly transfers ownership to Paul Larkin. Paul tries to reassure Hank that the sale is only a legal formality and that Hank will always receive priority access to the ore. Hank rejects these hollow promises, bitterly reminding Paul that he has never placed himself at anyone’s mercy before.

Hank looks at Paul with contempt and resents that he must now rely on Paul’s honesty. In that moment, he experiences genuine hatred for the first time, revolted by the position the law has forced upon him. Soon after, he sells his coal mines to Ken Danagger, a capable and principled businessman. Although Hank still resents giving up control, he finds the transaction easier because he respects Danagger. Danagger offers him secret rebates as a sign of support, but Hank refuses, insisting on honest and transparent business terms.

As the John Galt Line approaches completion, public hostility increases sharply. Newspapers, radio commentators, and self-proclaimed experts condemn Dagny and Hank. Journalists publish articles that question the safety of Rearden Metal and accuse Dagny and Hank of risking human lives out of greed. Orren Boyle and other competitors in the steel industry also challenge the reliability of Rearden Metal in public statements. Critics call for government intervention, using phrases such as “public safety” and “social responsibility.” Dagny and Hank ignore the attacks and move forward without hesitation. Dagny mocks the outcry and invites reporters to attend the inaugural run. She states clearly that her only goal is profit, shocking those who expected her to hide behind noble intentions.

Resistance also arises from within Dagny’s own workforce. A union delegate tells her that the engineers refuse to risk their lives by working on the bridge, which they claim is unsafe. Dagny responds with calm determination. She says she will not compel anyone to work, but the train will run, even if she must drive the engine herself. She calls the delegate’s bluff by demanding that he put the union’s refusal in writing and agree to bar those workers permanently from employment on her line if they walk away now.

The delegate, clearly intimidated, withdraws his threat. Dagny calls for volunteers to operate the first train, and the overwhelming response surprises her. On the scheduled day, nearly every engineer and worker across the Taggart system steps forward. A man named Pat Logan receives the position of engineer through a lottery drawing. Dagny announces publicly that she will ride in the engine cab beside him. Hank, privately amused and inspired by her boldness, declares that he will join her in the cab as well.

On July 22, a large crowd assembles at the station in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to witness the first run of the John Galt Line. Surrounded by both excitement and doubt, Dagny steps confidently into the locomotive cab beside Hank. Eddie cuts the ceremonial ribbon with pride, marking the train’s official departure. As the powerful Diesel engine gains speed, Dagny feels a surge of freedom and triumph. The train, pulling 80 freight cars, reaches and maintains a speed of 100 miles per hour. As it races toward Colorado, people gather along the tracks to cheer—farmers, retired railroad men, and families who depend on Dagny’s success. Workers even organize spontaneous armed patrols along the entire route to protect the train from sabotage.

As the train approaches Denver, it barrels through the densely populated city at full speed, creating a tense moment. Dagny watches the city flash past in seconds, a blur of cheering crowds, blaring sirens, and drifting confetti. The train continues into the mountains, racing toward Wyatt Junction. As it climbs the winding, dangerous mountain passes, Dagny marvels at the strength of Rearden Metal. Overcome by the moment, she moves into the roaring motor section of the engine, exhilarated by the raw power that surrounds her.

At last, the train reaches the new bridge that spans a deep canyon near Wyatt Junction. As it races onto the structure, Dagny feels a rush of joy, as if the train has leapt into open space. The bridge holds firm, disproving every critic’s warning. The train glides into Wyatt Junction without incident, where cheering crowds greet it with celebration. Wyatt climbs into the cab and lifts Dagny out with visible pride. That evening, he hosts Dagny and Hank at his secluded home, which overlooks his thriving oil fields. He speaks confidently about bold new plans for record-breaking oil production. The three remain together late into the night, sharing a rare moment of victory and mutual respect.

That night, after the celebration, Dagny and Hank remain on a moonlit balcony that overlooks Wyatt’s oil fields. Below them stretches a web of lights—derricks glittering in the darkness, machinery humming softly through the still air, and the distant shine of the Rearden Metal bridge crossing the chasm. When Dagny turns toward Hank, she sees something new in his face. The tight control slips from his expression, and for the first time, she sees the full force of a desire he has always hidden. Hank steps forward without speaking and draws her close. They kiss with rough urgency, and then Hank leads Dagny to the bedroom, where they have sex.