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Rearden’s Metal Bracelet
The John Galt Line is more than a rail line—it is a statement of rebellion. Named after a man the world invokes in defeat, the line flips the phrase “Who is John Galt?” into a challenge rather than a surrender. Built during economic collapse and under threat from unions and government, the line represents what individuals can accomplish when freed from government interference. Dagny and Hank risk everything—resources, reputation, safety—to build the line using Rearden Metal, a material no one trusts but which proves superior to the state’s metal of choice. The line’s flawless inaugural run is a moment of triumph for reason, efficiency, and courage. Yet its eventual abandonment by bureaucrats and the retreat of its creators mirrors the larger tragedy unfolding: that the world will not allow greatness to survive. The line’s rise and fall trace the arc of the novel’s message. It begins in defiance, succeeds by merit, and is finally dismantled by those who cannot tolerate what its success proves. The John Galt Line thus functions as a physical and philosophical bridge to what the world could be—and why it must collapse.
The John Galt Line Quotes in Atlas Shrugged
The Atlas Shrugged quotes below all refer to the symbol of The John Galt Line. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Part 1, Chapter 7
Quotes
The thought of the John Galt Line ran through his mind like a harmony under the confident sound of his words. The John Galt Line was moving forward. The attacks on his Metal had ceased. He felt as if, miles apart across the country, he and Dagny Taggart now stood in empty space, their way cleared, free to finish the job. They’ll leave us alone to do it, he thought. The words were like a battle hymn in his mind: They’ll leave us alone.
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The John Galt Line Symbol Timeline in Atlas Shrugged
The timeline below shows where the symbol The John Galt Line appears in Atlas Shrugged. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 7
...permanently. When he asks what she plans to call the new venture, Dagny says “the John Galt Line .” She chooses the name on purpose—to confront the despair that has taken hold of...
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...Wyatt, Ted Nielsen, Andrew Stockton, Lawrence Hammond, and Ken Danagger all invest heavily in the John Galt Line , risking their reputations and fortunes to support it. Hank steps forward too, offering a...
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...and feels it spark her own resolve. Now more than ever, she commits to the John Galt Line . Before hanging up, Hank promises to send her the detailed plans within two days.
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Part 1, Chapter 8
...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.
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As the John Galt Line approaches completion, public hostility increases sharply. Newspapers, radio commentators, and self-proclaimed experts condemn Dagny and...
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...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...
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Part 1, Chapter 9
...streets of New York, filled with bitterness and restlessness despite the public celebration of the John Galt Line ’s success. Although the newspapers falsely credit him as the mastermind behind the project, he...
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...secret affair. Hank visits Dagny’s apartment and openly praises her for the success of the John Galt Line , acknowledging her courage and unwavering determination. He mentions that the same businessmen who once...
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Part 2, Chapter 2
...reminder that time continues to slip away. It once measured her race to construct the John Galt Line . Now, it marks her struggle against an unseen force that drains the life from...
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Part 2, Chapter 5
...revenue to justify continued operations, the Taggart Board meets to decide the fate of the John Galt Line .
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...favors might be expected in return. Dagny remains silent as the directors discuss sacrificing the John Galt Line . She refuses to shield them from responsibility, reminding them that she warned of this...
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On March 31, Dagny and Hank ride the final run of the John Galt Line . Colorado is desolate, its economy gutted. Panic rises among the passengers; they sense the...
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Part 3, Chapter 1
...continue on to meet Dick McNamara, a contractor who vanished during the construction of the John Galt Line . He now maintains utilities and has hired three professors—experts in economics, psychology, and history—who...
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