Freight Train Hopping

I hop frieghts in the summer. It's a skill. I wouldn't recommend you try it without someone who knows what they're doing. Even people with lots of experience get maimed and killed all the time. There are many different types of rail cars, and not all of them are capable of being ridden. Dont go jump on a train if you dont know what you're doing. You'll die.

Got any stories?

What were your best experiences?

I've got lots of stories. I've seen some really crazy things on the rails, some terrifying, most really cool tho. Probably my best experience was waiting for a ride off a spur outside of a little town in Nebraska. I was sort of camped maybe a hundred feet away from the tracks when a BNSF guy walked up on me, said he saw me wondering around earlier and smelled my fire (it was small, no smoke, but he found me). He told me the train that was sitting still wouldn't roll for a couple days, and then invited me to his house for a BBQ. It was a really good time. His family and friends were mostly musicians and they just sat around in a jam session most of the night. He became one of my best friends to this day.

I've known people for years who have never invited me into their home (coworkers or whatever), and he could have had me arrested but instead thought I'd like to hangout with his family! I was blown away. Most people who ride the rails aren't "homeless" or whatever, btw. I own a home, I just get stir crazy and feel like roaming sometimes, and the rails is how I do it. Some people get an RV and hide in it, I just pack a bag and find a grainer heading in the general direction of where I'd like to go, and I get to camp along the way! Then I hang out in some city for a couple days in a hotel, and back to the rails. It's a blast way to travel, as long you don't have a schedule lol

I think once you leave the big city people get more decent and hospitable. It's always been my experience.

I think riding the trains is a way to see the true beauty of America. You guys have a lot there.

Even commerical passenger trains are always a beautiful way to see the world. I rememebr riding from Prague to Budapest. talked to some people. Trains are an awesome way to travel.

I know a lot about hopping.

Right now, you get busted by a bull and u can be facing 5 yrs in federal prison, it is a CLASS 3 felony; Class 4 felony is SHOOT ON SIGHT. This is due to securing trains from TERRORISTS.

Most people get hurt/killed "Hopping on the Fly" ( moving train) or load shifting.

You can only ride Grainers or Gondolas and NOT box cars as most box car doors are closed. I asked an engineer about why they close doors and he told me that doors would SLIDE OFF the car if they were not secured.

If a person spots you on a train, they call the police usually and you get arrested by local pd; they will stop the train and hunt you down.

Here are the best vids on u tube, not some stupid kids out for a thrill ride but seasoned riders.



My favorite, watch parts of it every night over and over.



Hobo Shoestring is the real deal, been hopping 32yrs and
he teaches a lot. Be sure to subscribe to him.

I know a lot about hopping.

Right now, you get busted by a bull and u can be facing 5 yrs in federal prison, it is a CLASS 3 felony; Class 4 felony is SHOOT ON SIGHT. This is due to securing trains from TERRORISTS.

Most people get hurt/killed "Hopping on the Fly" ( moving train) or load shifting.

You can only ride Grainers or Gondolas and NOT box cars as most box car doors are closed. I asked an engineer about why they close doors and he told me that doors would SLIDE OFF the car if they were not secured.

If a person spots you on a train, they call the police usually and you get arrested by local pd; they will stop the train and hunt you down.

Here are the best vids on u tube, not some stupid kids out for a thrill ride but seasoned riders.



[youtube] [link to www.youtube.com (secure)]
My favorite, watch parts of it every night over and over.
utube]

Hobo Shoestring is the real deal, been hopping 32yrs and
he teaches a lot. Be sure to subscribe to him.