I've been thinking alot that this summer after I graduate High School that I would like to go train hopping across the country for a month or so. Impression I'm getting is that there aren't really 'crazed killing' hobos or anything (not that I thought that before) and that the only people to worry about are the Rail Cops... Anyone ever go train hopping before? I'm just getting into really researching this, so does anyone have opinions or advice or even just stories!
Why does that sound like so much fun to me? I know my dad used to do somethin like that when he was younger...but things were different then. I didnt even know people still tried it.
Used to go up to the towers and ask them what train to take.Usually ended up sitting in the tower drinking their coffee.Got stopped by a railroad dick one time.He informed me that it was his job to keep me from hopping the train,"and besides if I would just walk over one block they slow down a lot more over there."He was just watching out for my safety.It used to be a good way to go you'd see parts of the country you couldn't see from the road.Enjoy.
yeah, impressions I get is that the rail cops and yard workers are alot tougher on train hoppers now a days than they were in the past... Makes it a challenge, more fun that way =D Especialy in the North East, I heard they are tough, right where I'm starting from...
Sounds awesome! My parents (suck) wouldent let me. when and if you stop bye here stop at the i-25 overpass and go around the air base they inspect the trains thuoghly. While your in cheyenne give me a holler i'm close to where you get off and can give you directions and tour of my town (sucks).
On my journeys, which havent been too many, Ive met up with some freight hoppers.. and in my view they are kind of people that i like to not hang out with so much... the ones ive met are all kind of the bums youd see on the streets of chicago, or seattle, do lotsa drugs and drink, have a felony or two under their belt, maybe a couple missing teeth.... and from what ive expireinced, i tend to always feel on guard when they are around... People arent bad, its just what your into i guess, to me, id rather sit in a meadow in between mountains, with a guitar, couple of 'the family', and philsophize the grandeus of ourselves, and really soak in our divinity
Well that's one persons experience. The generalization doesn't fit everyone and there are good people out their who hop trains all the time. Besides, Woody Guthrie was a trainhopper. What's more american that that?
never met one personally or seen one but we have loads of trains around here, not as many as their used to be due to security i guess, i just started what looks to be a pretty good book about it called "rolling nowhere" about someone sordove like you, leaving after high school.
Pear, like Eric said, that is what he would rather do. And, Eric, my brother, I would gladly join you in the beauty of such a setting.
I too would join this person in such a great place. I don't understand how one can be placed in an either/or situation simply because of their choice of travel method. Perhaps I take it a little personal when such generalizations are made. In my travels I have often dealt with a public misnomer about the gypsy lifestyle. That is one of thugs, drunks, and no goods. In general, society has been conditioned to believe that all who forego the more traditional roles must be placed at a 'lower' plateu. I certainly don't deny the existance of what sitareric describes but We all know that stereotyping blocks the open mind. So, when the generalization was made I merely wanted to point out that it's one persons view based on their life. Besides, to take it further, I have personally known quite a few wonderful human beings who arrived at such beutiful places by hopping a train. They were good people and nothing like what sitareric described. In peace, bless you the trainhopper on your journey and bless the good people in the meadow. We're all one.
Train people that I've meet seem to be more of the loner types,some with good reason.They did seem a bit rougher.Hitchhiking you meet people.It's more of a social thing.
I dont intend on riding by myself, probably gonna have a friend or two, so if we do meet up with some more 'undesireable' people we wouldn't be bothered. I'm sure most of the people are nice enough it you just geve them some space and respect.
