Difference between revisions of "Train hopping"
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'''Train hopping''' | '''Train hopping''' | ||
| − | Riding the rails, hoboing, or jumping a freight train (train-hopping), although most commonly found in the United States, can be done in most parts of the world. If | + | Riding the rails, hoboing, or jumping a freight train (train-hopping), although most commonly found in the United States, can be done in most parts of the world. If there are freight trains, then there can be hobos. While there is a vast amount of information online regarding the U.S, practical guides for Europe, Asia and Oceania are few and far between. A zine called 'EuroHobo' exists for European adventures but can be difficult to obtain. |
| − | Your best option for outside of the U.S is to find your nearest train Yard | + | Your best option for outside of the U.S is to find your nearest train Yard and spend some good long hours waiting and watching. Keep an eye out for the different types of cars, what looks ridable, what doesnt, and keep track of the timetables and frequencies. Hoboing can be fun, exciting and full of adventure, but it also takes a lot of time and patience. Research of the area is vital before hand, but also while sitting by the tracks in the cold dark night, the wind and rain blowing into your face. You'll need passion and an adventurous spirit to keep you there, but once you find your ride, you will be heavily rewarded. |
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There is a mailing list for train hopping. Send a mail to [email protected] to join. | There is a mailing list for train hopping. Send a mail to [email protected] to join. | ||
| + | ==External Links== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * http://www.squattheplanet.com/ | ||
| + | * http://www.digihitch.com/trains.html | ||
| + | * http://www.thespoon.com/trainhop/train1b.html | ||
==Amtrak== | ==Amtrak== | ||
Revision as of 17:14, 3 October 2008
Freight trains
Freight hopping became a common means of transportation in the United States following the American Civil War as the railroads began pushing westward, especially among migrant workers who became known as hobos. It continued to be widely used by the destitute and those unable to afford other transportation, especially during times of widespread economic dislocation such as the Great Depression.
In more recent times, freight hopping has evolved into an underground movement of hobo's, bums, tramps, punks and anarchists, or just a poor lonesome traveller with no money. These people can be found throughout the United States, hanging out in 'Jungles' by the side of the tracks or near a freight yard.
Train hopping
Riding the rails, hoboing, or jumping a freight train (train-hopping), although most commonly found in the United States, can be done in most parts of the world. If there are freight trains, then there can be hobos. While there is a vast amount of information online regarding the U.S, practical guides for Europe, Asia and Oceania are few and far between. A zine called 'EuroHobo' exists for European adventures but can be difficult to obtain.
Your best option for outside of the U.S is to find your nearest train Yard and spend some good long hours waiting and watching. Keep an eye out for the different types of cars, what looks ridable, what doesnt, and keep track of the timetables and frequencies. Hoboing can be fun, exciting and full of adventure, but it also takes a lot of time and patience. Research of the area is vital before hand, but also while sitting by the tracks in the cold dark night, the wind and rain blowing into your face. You'll need passion and an adventurous spirit to keep you there, but once you find your ride, you will be heavily rewarded.
A big country with an extensive rail-network, coupled with a history of hobo travelling, makes the United States the ideal place for riding the rails.
Although riding trains for free (train-hopping) is illegal, it is one of the most viable ways to get out of the city for free. In most passenger trains (NJ Transit, Amtrak, etc.), the only way to ride for free is to hide in a bathroom or display a "Seat Check" ticket found on the ground or from a previous ride. Generally speaking, if you are discovered to be riding without paying the proper fare, you will be asked to pay it. If you can not pay it, then you will be asked to exit the train at the next station. As long as you remain friendly and cooperative, there should not be a problem with legal issues, arrest, or fines.
Hopping freight trains is a more dangerous, but more exciting way to ride long distances for free, in the United States. It is more common here than in any other part of the world, and hoboing has a long history in art, music and culture. It is extremely practical to do if you have phone or internet access, because there are numbers and/or websites that will give you the direction that each freight is headed and its estimated time of arrival, based on that freight's identification number. A common accessory is a two-way radio, used to listen in on freight movements, destinations and times of departure. Frequencies will need to be found before hand. It is very possible to ride without one, which will save you space and weight (radio, batteries, recharges), but a little more time might be needed to work out which trains are going where and when they're looking like leaving.
If possible get your hands on the Crew Change Guide, an underground book with hopping info on nearly every crew changing station across the United States.
There is a mailing list for train hopping. Send a mail to [email protected] to join.
External Links
- http://www.squattheplanet.com/
- http://www.digihitch.com/trains.html
- http://www.thespoon.com/trainhop/train1b.html
Amtrak
Metro-North
MTA
LIRR
NJ Transit
PATH
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This article is a stub. This means that the information available to us is obviously insufficient. In these places little information is available or the description is severely outdated. If you have been there, whether hitchhiking, for travel or as part of an organized tour − be sure to extend this article! |
- This article is partly based on work from Wikipedia.
