Before I make any other post in a blog that has to do with riding freight trains, I need to make this post for anyone that might be considering hopping on a freight train.
This blog is purely for educational purposes, and to share some of my own experiences. Riding freight is both dangerous and illegal, and as such I cannot recommend you try it. However, for those of you that are gonna anyway, there's some things you should know to help keep you safe.
The first thing you should know is that riding freight is a lifestyle, and one many, many depend on to survive. If you get involved, stay respectful to the people and land you encounter and do what you can not to fuck it up for the next person. This also means keeping a low profile anytime you're somewhere you're not supposed to be, like on a freight train, or in a train yard.
Going further on that point, if you're looking for a teacher, your best bet of finding one is to already be a hitchhiker first. Not to mention that you'll already be prepared for hitching a ride on a train if you're already hitchhiking. You will likely already have many of the things you need, such as a pack and sleeping bag, along with a jug of water and some snacks, toilet paper or napkins from the last restaurant, and a tarp in case it rains and to sleep on when you get off the train.
Another thing you probably want to have is a bottle to piss in. Times between crew change points are ~8-12 hours. There will likely be times your train may stop for things like letting another train pass, or even to add or remove cars. However, there's never any guarantees when or where you will stop, and sometimes you gotta go. That said, always try to evacuate your bowels before you get on a train if you can.
If you get on a train, you're likely on it until the next crew change, which will likely be several hours away. Sometimes, you may be on one ride all the way across the country, a several day journey. Be prepared for that and have appropriate rations. Don't forget to also account for the time you'll spend, sometimes hours or days, just waiting on your train at the hopout. It should go without saying, but if it's your first time and you skipped hitchhiking and went straight to the tracks you should also be prepared to end up quite a long way from where you got on and have to figure out everything from where you're gonna sleep to where you're gonna eat or go from there.
Other things to know:
Always keep three points of contact with the train
Never get on or off a train that is moving too fast, or moving at all if you're not comfortable or are very experienced. Trains stop for crew changes, work, and to let other trains pass.
Trains also usually usually stop before pulling into a yard for clearance (although that's not always the case). This is usually the best time to get off.
Riding freight trains is a trespassing charge if you get caught and the person who catches you cares enough to get you in trouble, rather than just telling you to get off. This means that, at worst, you'll only ever get a ticket or a couple nights to a couple weeks in jail, all depending on where you get caught and how hard they are on riders. Keeping this in mind, you should know that in an emergency situation, or if your train doesn't slow down before you enter the yard, it's always better to be caught than do something stupid and get yourself killed.
Get off railroad property as soon as you can once you're off the train, even if you gotta hop a fence. When getting close to where I wanna get off, I pack everything back away so it's ready to toss and go. Check both sides of the train for workers, police, other people, and the easiest way to get off railroad property and somewhere you're actually supposed to be. Watch for bridges you can climb up or down, or railroad crossings, so you can get off railroad property quick and easy. It's usually best to walk towards the back of the train, but use your own judgement in the moment which way is better.
You should also try to avoid walking directly on tracks as this is the best way to get hit. Always walk off to the side and be mindful of the size of your pack, especially when walking between tracks, and extra especially when there's a train on one or both tracks.
Also, remember that even stopped trains can move jarringly with what's called slack action, and if you're not prepared or are being careless you can be tossed from or under the train. Trains are dangerous, and if you're not careful you can lose limbs or your life.
Finally, once again, keep a low profile on and around trains. Not only is riding freight trains illegal, but you also don't want to fuck it up for the next person who needs to catch that train. It's best to wait until dark to catch your train, but that's not always possible. Just find a good spot where people hopefully won't see you get on where you can wait.
For more about the hobo experience, you can also check out my memoir A Modern Hobo Story
Comments
Post a Comment