Rideable rail cars

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes, and to document some of my own experiences. Do not try this at home. But if you're gonna do it, at least read What to know before you hobo first, and consider getting a copy of A Modern Hobo Story. 

Many people I talk to think that hobos only ride boxcars. The truth is that there are actually several types of rideable rail cars, and finding an open boxcar actually takes a bit of luck (although some hobos will open them if they're not sealed with a zip tie). I've only ever rode in a handful of boxcars, myself. I usually ride hotshots or grainers, unless I get lucky and catch an open box going my way.

There are several types of grainers. One of the most common types are the ones with the hole inside the V. These holes vary in size. Some are big enough to fit your pack, your dog, and you inside well enough to be hidden, while others are only big enough for your pack while you have to ride exposed in the V hoping not to get seen by someone who cares, and yet others with no floor inside the hole. 

Other variations of this type of grainer include one with two additional holes, one to each side, that lead to compartments with even more space to ride, and increased protection from sight or rain. Another is the double barrel with two holes instead of one facing outward. 

A high lip grainer provides a more comfortable ride. The lip provides enough cover to conceal yourself as long as you stay laying down or sitting low and discreet.

A high back grainer is just like the high lip, but with more wall on the sides, providing even more cover. 

Gondolas are another favorite of hobos, with lots of space that can fit even large groups of riders. It's recommended not to ride if they're not empty, as you can be crushed by the contents. However, many hobos ride them with stuff in them anyway. 

Another common rail car hobos ride is coal cars. Coal cars are a dirty ride, and can be dangerous too if you pass out and end up at a facility where the cars are loaded or unloaded. It's also common to try to ride in the pusher units on coal trains, but this comes with its own risks like more chance of getting caught and in trouble. 

Like grainers, there are multiple types of intermodal freight cars, many of which are not ideal for riding due to little or no space, or doesn't have a floor. Riding any freight car that has no floor is called riding suicide. Pictured above is a rideable well car. Each side will have a normal sized well that you can climb up and into to ride. 

This type of well car has a bigger, deeper well, known as a deep well. These are even better than the regular wells and can fit more hobos, and do it more comfortably, as long as it has a floor. Many deep wells are suicide. 

Another place hobos will ride is on the TOFCs (trailer on flat cars). You can ride between the wheels/flaps of the trailers.

Boxcars, grainers, gondolas, and coal cars are all usually found on mixed freights, which often carry low priority and can be slow moving, and usually not traveling as far as the faster, higher security hotshots carrying the well cars with the shipping containers and the trailers. Some riders prefer the mixed freights as they have less risk in getting caught or in trouble, but the hotshots are the ones that move you far and fast.