Introduction to Train Hopping
Train Hoppers (also known as hobos) are people that catch a ride on a
freight train, hopping into a boxcar or on the back of other types
of cars. This is usually done without the permission of the
railroad involved. There are many people that hop trains: the homeless
and poor, migrant workers, and immigrants. These people hop trains
to get from one place to another usually due to lack of money.
However, these pages are for another type of hopper: the adventurer.
The sport of train hopping is, like many other sports, risky and
dangerous. It is also thrilling, and sometimes boring. In some parts
of the world it may even be illegal. This is not something you
should run out and do for a quick thrill. You must study ahead
of time, have the proper equipment, and act carefully and safely.
Modern day freight trains carry goods at high-speed for long
distances. They will generally only stop at train yards, crew change
points, and sidings (to let other trains pass). You can only safely
get on and off trains when they are stopped. This means you are stuck
going between train yards and crew change points, so you must
plan your adventure accordingly. The following pages are meant
to help you have a safe and fun trip!
Dangers of train hopping
Below is a quote from a Union Pacific employee
"It's unsafe and potentially life-threatening, and no one should
ever do it." Furney reiterates. "At a minimum, they're guilty of
trespass, and we can have them prosecuted for it. It's more for
their safety than anything relative to the railroad. It's nuts to do it.
There's no good excuse. Any rational person should understand
that trying to jump on something that weighs tons, and has no
handy means of allowing you to do that, and which risks your
falling under the wheels and being killed or having legs or arms
amputated belongs in a loony bin. It's part of railroading -- we
understand that -- but it's certainly a part that we would be
delighted to eliminate."