Wagon train took its inspiration from John's Ford 1950 film Wagonmaster.  Each week Wagon Train told the stories of pioneering families moving west from the east to start a new life soon after the Civil War. Some of these stories had heart warming and happy endings while some did not. This approach made this weekly western series a hit. Due to the popularity of the show and a new storyline each week it was not too difficult for the scriptwriters to have larger than average talent appear on the show.  The budget was larger than the normal one hour show that was being produced for TV. Its popularity continued even though there were several cast changes. Wagon Train was shown first on NBC from September 1957 to September 1962 at 7:30-830.  It then moved to NBC and expanded to 90 minutes but for the final season of 1964-1965 it returned to the one hour format. It was shown at the 7:30-8:30 Wednesday night. During the expanded season it was shown Monday night from 8:30-10:00. Its final season aired on Sunday night at 7:30 to 8:30.

Cast of Wagon Train: 

Major Seth Adams (1957-1961) Ward Bond (died on the set in 1960)
Flint McCullough (1957-1962) Robert Horton
Bill Hawks - Terry Wilson
Charlie Wooster (the comical cook) -  Frank McGrath
Duke Shannon (1961-1964) Scott Miller
Christopher Hale (1961-1965) - John McIntire (replaced Ward Bond as the Wagonmaster)
Barnaby West (1963-1965) - Michael Burns
Cooper Smith (1963-1965) -  Robert Fuller (Replaced Robert Horton when he left in 1962)