Anachronism Stew: William Randolph Hearst appears in the end, and agrees to give Charles and the kids a ride to the beach. Hearst was born in 1863 and this episode is set in the early-1880's, by which time he was barely an adult a hadn't become a famous millionaire yet.
Big Sister Instinct: When the hitchhiker who tried to steal Dylan's case grabs Albert outside the train and tries to push him off the caboose, Laura pushes him off the train instead before he does.
Disproportionate Retribution: A hitchhiker demands that the kids toss him Dylan's case (which he thinks could contain something of value) and when they refuse, he tries to toss Albert off the train!
Historical Domain Character: William Randolph Hearst appears in the end just as Charles is trying to get a ride to the beach now that he doesn't have any money and is convinced to take them there. He also takes interest in Dylan's art and buys his painting, guaranteeing Charles and the kids money to go back home.
Hostile Hitchhiker: A hitchhiker gets on the same caboose as Laura, Albert and Dylan, and immediatly acts hostile towards them, forces them to give him their sandwiches, and later tries to steal Dylan's case, even threatening to throw Albert off the train when the boy tries to fight him off.
Punch-Clock Villain: Averted with the caboose inspector. Although he's technically just doing his job in keeping passengers who didn't buy a ticket away from the train, he's a little too trigger-happy with his club and seems to enjoy threatening hitchhikers with physical harm a little too much, including an ill Dylan. Which makes Charles beating the crap out of him to let them stay at the train all the more satisfying.
