A gang of bad guys menace a man's girlfriend. She hides in a freight car and a misstep sends the otherwise-empty train out of the station with the lever pushed to full speed. As the train gains speed, the captive's boyfriend must transfer to the runaway train from a car racing alongside, repel the pursuing gang, get his girl out of the boxcar, and somehow get the two of them to safety. An oncoming locomotive, a water tower, a steep grade, a frayed rope and a broken plank between cars complicate the hero's task.