The series initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by lookalike Robert Fuller a year after Horton had decided to leave the series. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail starring John Wayne and featuring Bond in his first major screen appearance playing a supporting role. Horton's buckskin outfit as the scout in the first season of the television series resembles Wayne's, who also played the wagon train's scout in the earlier film.

Cast

Frank McGrath

Charlie Wooster

Terry Wilson

Bill Hawks

Robert Horton

Flint McCullough

John McIntire

Christopher Hale

Ward Bond

Major Seth Adams

Denny Miller

Duke Shannon

Robert Fuller

James Fitzpatrick

Michael Burns

Billy Latham

C

Chick Hannan

Wagon Man (uncredited)

Norman Leavitt

Mr. Spartan

John Doucette

Marshal Jason Hartman

Richard Reeves

Roberts

Walter Reed

Mr. Burke

Dal McKennon

Mr. Benson

G

George Ford

Wagon Train Member (uncredited)

Harry Harvey

Sheriff Matt

Ernest Borgnine

Estaban Zamora

L

Lillian O'Malley

Wagon Train Member (uncredited)

Frank De Kova

Obuki

Lane Bradford

Ed

Seasons

284 episodes

Season 11957 · 39 episodes

Season 21958 · 38 episodes

Season 31959 · 37 episodes

Season 41960 · 38 episodes

Season 51961 · 37 episodes

Season 61962 · 37 episodes

Season 71963 · 32 episodes

Season 81964 · 26 episodes