Requesting some information on a show called Galaxy Express 999.

I'm interested in it, but it's pretty long. In my experience, generally shows that run for that long fall into having episodic plots that aren't really relevant to the overarching story. I'm hesitant to call it filler due to the confusion with "filler arcs" in anime (which in my opinion can actually be beneficial if they make a point of threading them into the story and adding to it), but I suppose that's what I mean. Is this that kind of show, or does it do something different? I'm not saying it's something I wouldn't enjoy but it's not something I'm looking for.

While I'm at it, any other recommendations for shows (doesn't have to be anime) that are long but not highly episodic?