There are too few of us, and no one to actually talk to about it unless you meet another airedale on a train. I've been lonely in this too long! Are there any other yuppie hobos out there?

I want to try it sometime, but I'm afraid I'm not in good enough shape to deal with:

Railroad bullies
Jumping onto trains
Dealing with others with nothing to lose.

I'm sure its a great deal of fun. I'm also sure its less safe than hitching, though at least the ride is more assured.

Tell us some stories, please!!!!

Well, to respond to that post, the freight hopper's best companions are:

1. A trusted friend with a bin of patience and a good grip
2. A crowbar. Seriously. It's extremely multipurpose - you can use it as a warning, to pry car doors open, use them as a spike to prop them open, or just in case, to defend yourself.

As for jumping onto trains, if you don't feel comfortable doing that, just find some cars at rest, go and pick out the spot of your dreams, and just wait for takeoff. If you do need to get onto a train, the easiest way is the "back porch". Never try to catch a train that's going faster than your fast jog. Just grab the rail and hop onto the platform.

When it comes to dealing with other people on the trains, the hobos of trains are mostly a very open, friendly community. They sit, share stories, music, jokes. On the occasion that you find someone who is a bit more hostile towards you than you would prefer, that's when it's important to have someone with you. If you don't, then just choose a different car or hole and avoid people all together.

I'm not entirely convinced that it's less safe than hitching - I believe they share about the same equality of danger. While you may be more likely to get hurt on a train than get into a car accident, it's also less likely that you'll run into any other people, especially up here in Maine.

Some stories? Well, here's one:

I was hopping the line between Bangor and logging regions in western Maine. Most train rides in Maine are pretty solitary. It was last summer,and I was airedaling it. The pickup that I"m used to is right across the street from Cascade Park. I usually just take a book and wait there for a train. My favorite time to go is at night when the stars are out. The weather was nice and it was dark enough out for me to hitch a ride on the top of a closed gondola. I climbed the ladder to the top and got my "carabeenah" hooked on just as the train took off. There's always a bit of a jolt, but they start off very slowly. There's a view of the river that the train follows on the west side, and when going through town, the train only goes about 15 mph, as far as I can tell. When you bring food on a trip, you always have to bring non-messy food. I was always in the habit of bringing a hunk of cheese (probably mozzarella), a hunk of bread, and summer sausage and just taking alternate bites of each. Iced tea or any beverage carried in a nalgene, only. I think that was the most amazing trip I ever took... comfortable weather (very important), great view (also very important), good food (usually pretty important). It really can be the most relaxing and self-affirming experience.

Let me get this straight... there are actually enough freight train hoppers out there in 2007 to run into other people while doing it? That's unbelievable.

omg, your my hero! I have been wanting to do something like this for a long long time!

I rode a train once but that was just messing around and I only rode for about 100 yeards.

How fast do they get up to outside of the cities? I have clocked trains in the Rio Grande valley of Texas doing over 65mph, I think that would scare the piss outa me if I was just riding along. I would have to be inside of a frieght car or something to feel better.

Keep the stories coming please.

Yeah, a lot of people that work at the Shipyard around Maine, hobos, etc. Apparently there's supposed to be a lot more people out west. I hear Iowa has some pretty large communities.

Outside the city, I've only ever been on a train that's going about 55 max, I think. Cities and junctions are where it's best, but going fast and sitting in an open car or gondolah is nice, as well.


I usually bring a lot of the gear I bring when I go hiking - I've pitched a twofer in a car before - I usually don't unless the car is pretty dirty.

If you can't find an open car, you can usually sit in what's called a "well" which is just a hole going into a gondolah - it'll shelter you from the wind pretty well, rain, not so much.

I hung out with two train hoppers in Whitefish, MT. They had been riding the Great Northern line all the way across the country.

One was an early 20's skate punk with an anarchist bent.
One was a late 20's college grad with an anarchist bent.

Nice guys. Both of them suggested being selective when choosing which boxcar to board because they offered ample pilfering opportunities. Best to pilfer something useful. They recommended pilfering liquor.

A bunch of my friends from San Diego do it, one girl I know lost her leg. But I want to try it when I get back from my trip, from all the stories I've heard it sounds like a blast. Heya I'll probably be thru hiking the AT, and PCT soon as well.

Hey, killer! When do you plan on hiking the AT?

It's always good to find a fellow Mainah on here! I'd hop myself a train but I've always had my Jeep when I'm here in the states. I'm not sure how much longer it'll last and when it's gone I'm takin myself a train ride. My dad told me stories about when he used to hop rides and I've had a few friends who've traveled that way around the states a bit.