FREIGHTHOPPING

It’s REALLY dangerous.

It’s probably always illegal now.

It’s amazing.

A story, I was told once, was that the guy who started Burlington Northern had a beloved grandson who lost it mentally and became a hobo. Ever since BN had a rule that there was always to be at least one empty open boxcar and Dicks had to let hobos be. Even if true, I don’t believe that rule applies now.

Freighthopping allows you to see parts of the country hidden from most eyes. You go though some of the most God forsaken wastelands and the most beautiful scenic splendor this country has to offer. You do distance easily. You pretty much can know your itinerary and schedule. You have it all to yourself. I love trains. I love riding on trains. I love freighthopping.

There, I said it.

It is also dangerous. I am not talking about when a Dick catches you and beats the crap out of you with an iron bar. I am not talking about arrest. I am not talking about being robbed by some other ‘hobo’. I am talking about getting hurt, poisoned, or killed. It’s like a smorgasboard of ways to die.

That said, life is for living – not being afraid of dying. Here are some lessons and rules I have learned over the years. I look forward to your comments:

1. You catch trains in yards. Never on open track or sidings (unless you know they are leaving soon and where to).
2. Rand McNally used to publish a railroad atlas showing all the lines, yards and other useful info. Find one of these through inter-library loan and Xerox it. It is your bible (and like the Bible out of date).
3. Avoid running. The ground is uneven and covered in loose large sharp rocks and various things waiting to slice and hurt.
4. I probably don’t need to say this: There are dedicated people who’s job it is to keep you out of yards and off trains. Avoid them. They are not nice and are not Train People. They are cops. Think of them as predators and you as their prey. Lay low. Keep your exit/escape plan at the ready. When you are entering the yard at the end of the ride balance staying out of site with scoping out the best way to get out of the yard (or a place to hide while you wait for the next train). Now there are cameras everywhere.
5. You never get on a moving train. You cannot gauge their speed and cannot fathom how quickly they accelerate. They are too high to jump into easily. You have to throw your bag in first and it will then be gone. You don’t know what is in the car till you get on and then are stuck there for hours.  Scout out your train and then the car while it is in the yard and stationary. Be picky. Be safe. Get on in the yard and wait.You MIGHT have to get off a moving train. Bummer. Avoid it at all costs. The ground is a surprisingly long way down and is sloping at a surprisingly steep angle, as well as being made of the aforementioned sharp loose rocks. And you may foolishly try it with your pack on. There are also poles and wires alongside the track that you might not see and you will impale yourself. Generally, the tracks are also covered in human feces (ok, usually not IN the yards and its in the center, between the tracks) so  a cut could lead to a nasty infection. Remember, you have to run in the direction the train is going, at the same speed, so you don’t get knocked over. Easy? Hell no. Dangerous? Hell yes. Be careful. Stay on till it stops if you can.
6. There is a strategy for car selection. Once you find the right train, pointing in the right direction, you need to pick the right car. Do this on a fully made up train that is soon to leave.
7. Freight trains carry some nasty shit. Radioactive fuel and waste. Toxic chemicals. Pesticides. You need to get in a clean car. You need to make sure ‘bad’ cars (that might blow nasties at you) are behind your car.
8. Hotshots. They get priority over other trains. Coal trains are the safest Hotshots I know of. They are dirty and uncomfortable but you know you won’t be sitting on a siding for hours or days.
9. Boxcars are great. Get one that is clean and preferably has two open doors, one on each side (but that is much colder). Older cars will have doors that do not slide easily. That is good because you don’t want to get locked in accidentally when they are adding cars or engines (bumping). If you are heading North from Redding, California you want the open door on the right side of the train to see Mt. Shasta and the other Cascade peaks. Think about what you want.
10. Stay upwind (in front of) of any tank cars.
11. If you are seen you are safe until the train stops. You may have a welcome party on your arrival. You might want to consider alternative plans. Be safe.
12. The ends are the safest in terms of derailments. But you want to be far enough away from the locomotives (or caboose) so people don’t see you. Most train folks I have met love trains and are sympathetic to you. They have cut me slack when they found me. Don’t rely on that but play on it if caught. Behave. Be a good citizen. Pick up your garbage and don’t crap in the boxcars. Respect the property.
13. Pick up some discarded brake shoes in the yard and throw them into the car of choice. They make useful chocks to hold doors open, to prevent accidental lockins.
14. It gets remarkably cold at night. I remember freezing in a sleeping bag going through the Mojave desert one August night. Find a car that can get you out of the wind and wear appropriate clothing.
15. Bring water and food for the unanticipated trip. You might be on a siding for a day or two out in the Utah desert 40 miles from the nearest road.
16. You will get incredibly dirty. You will need a change of clothes if you plan to be presentable afterwards.
17. Bring a good book. Bring a camera. Bring a friend.
18. Good luck!