Train Hopping, Freight Hopping

[interpathway 9]

Anyone here have any experience with hopping freight trains? Not necessarily out of necessity but simply for pleasure? My buddy and I are debating doing this for the upcoming spring break. We've invested in the supposed 'holy grail' book of freight hopping which covers everything from staying undetectable to staying alive. We live near Union Station in D.C. and C.S.X freight lines have trains that are made up here constantly going all over the country, surely some even into Canada! I've hopped on a moving train (less than two or three M.P.H.) and held on for a couple hundred yards but after studying trains for the past couple years I think I'm ready to give the real thing a shot. Any ideas? Suggestions? I think we all thought of doing this as kids and was just wondering if it interests anyone else.

For those who aren't familiar...BraveDave is an excellent source and a great bunch of videos. It is hard to comprehend the magnificence of the ride until about 2:45 of the video...

edit: I am merely an interested observer who is looking to try it out. I obviously do not condone this activity nor ask anyone to give it a try.

[mack 44]

I don't know, that all sounds like Homeless Fantasy Camp.

[Dean_ 0]

It just seems like a cheap way to go on a trip, but it sounds like a good time.

[Monty22 833]

It always sounds good until you are raped by hobos.

[coryroth24 15]

It always sounds good until you are raped by hobos.

Or get yourself killed. Leave your parents my address, this way I can get your sticks and gloves if anything happens... :lol:

[Rustpot 1]

We get a few dozen rail cars through the mill I'm working at almost daily, I'd be very surprised if you could get the locks on these open while running alongside or clinging on. I don't see too many open box cars anymore.

If you do end up doing it, make sure you've got a phone and a bit of safety cash tucked away where the grifters won't get it. I'd be in to get across the city, but riding for several days and ending up at whatever podunk train yard you get tossed out at? No thanks.

[coryroth24 15]

I'd be in to get across the city, but riding for several days and ending up at whatever podunk train yard you get tossed out at? No thanks.

You won't get thrown out. You'll get arrested and interrogated... Trains are a "National Security" issue since 9/11.

[adam14 182]

thought about doing this before, just for fun, hopping on one and just seeing where it takes you..

dont think i ever would do it though.. hate to leave from ontario and end up in Yukon or something :confused:

[bdj 0]

As a conductor and training engineer for the railroad, I cant stress how unbelievably stupid and dangerous this is. This isnt 1950 Trains are faster, longer, heavier and if anything little thing happens while your riding your done. I've had several people arrested already while working in the yard and have also killed trespassers. The police WILL put you in prison. If you want to ride the rails take a passenger train.

[number21 3]

It always sounds good until you are raped by hobos.

:lol:

Putting your life/limbs at risk in a crazy underground subculture just for shits?

Good idea.

[RadioGaGa 162]

The only good thing that ever came out of the train hopping culture is "King of the Road" by Roger Miller.

[interpathway 9]

If you do end up doing it, make sure you've got a phone and a bit of safety cash tucked away where the grifters won't get it. I'd be in to get across the city, but riding for several days and ending up at whatever podunk train yard you get tossed out at? No thanks.

Well luckily frieght trains are required by law to stop at least every twelve hours (at the most) because their crews go "Dead on the Clock". Freight companies acknowledge the danger of tired conductors and therefore they must stop and switch crews rather steadily. At worst you might be stuck on a train for twelve hours, and that is at worst.

[All Torhs Team 0]

That sounds like one hell of a spring break. Knowingly breaking the law to sit on a train for hours on end.

[number21 3]

As a conductor and training engineer for the railroad, I cant stress how unbelievably stupid and dangerous this is. This isnt 1950 Trains are faster, longer, heavier and if anything little thing happens while your riding your done. I've had several people arrested already while working in the yard and have also killed trespassers. The police WILL put you in prison. If you want to ride the rails take a passenger train.

[dunner9 0]

dood your insane!

[pantherfan 0]

As a conductor and training engineer for the railroad, I cant stress how unbelievably stupid and dangerous this is. This isnt 1950 Trains are faster, longer, heavier and if anything little thing happens while your riding your done. I've had several people arrested already while working in the yard and have also killed trespassers. The police WILL put you in prison. If you want to ride the rails take a passenger train.

Are you cereal?

[bdj 0]

Yes unfortunately, happened about a month and a half ago. Now I MYSELF didnt hit him but he tried jumping over our train while we were stopped and got sliced right in half. He was a train hopper, it happens more than you would think.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Yes unfortunately, happened about a month and a half ago. Now I MYSELF didnt hit him but he tried jumping over our train while we were stopped and got sliced right in half. He was a train hopper, it happens more than you would think.

Someone told me that almost every commuter train delay announced as "mechanical" to the stations/riders is actually a suicide or an attempt somewhere on the line.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

sounds like a way to save money... until you have to cough up bail money, attorney's fees, and therapy after you get butt raped by bubba in jail.

[bdj 0]

Yes unfortunately, happened about a month and a half ago. Now I MYSELF didnt hit him but he tried jumping over our train while we were stopped and got sliced right in half. He was a train hopper, it happens more than you would think.

Someone told me that almost every commuter train delay announced as "mechanical" to the stations/riders is actually a suicide or an attempt somewhere on the line.

There is alot of mechanical problems too, I don't deal with Passenger trains myself but I think there is about 5 or so suicides a month along the CN lines. Not an easy thing to deal with, the only thing worse is hitting a family in a car/van.

[Aussie Joe 0]

I take it the guy thats started this thread has never seen INTO THE WILD, in particular the scene where Chris gets beaten up by a cop for riding the rails for free. Nasty stuff.

[interpathway 9]

Not the best example there. I am sure we've all seen car wrecks in movies but we still drive over the speed limit :).

But, no I haven't seen it. Will that be necessary viewing for me though?

[Monty22 833]

Not the best example there. I am sure we've all seen car wrecks in movies but we still drive over the speed limit :).

But, no I haven't seen it. Will that be necessary viewing for me though?

If you would like to see a perfect example of someone completely ill prepared to survive in the situation he placed himself in die and have his pitiful story manipulated and glamorized to make him some kind of half assed folk hero , then yes.

[interpathway 9]

Good to know, if going through four years of undergraduate work as an English major has taught me anything, I need to be advised from both sides of the spectrum. I am however kind of shocked at the negative attention this topic has garnered me. Perhaps the video I originally linked to was a bit (alright it definitely is) over the top. I just think that sitting in a box car that had one door left open, lazily passing the day while watching America roll by would be a great experience. None of this flatbed car, jumping from one car to the next, hanging off of the ladder stuff as evidenced in the video.

[Aussie Joe 0]

You can do it in a regular passenger car with the window down.

OR

You can goto India and hang off the roof like the locals. I highly recommend train travel in the cars, as originally designed.