Topic 23 of 71: Train hopping
Tue, Nov 4, 1997 (15:51) |
James Hibberd (travis5)
Looking for locals interested in freight train hopping....
60 responses total.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 1 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Nov 4, 1997 (18:58) * 2 lines
What about train spotting? That too?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 2 of 60: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (11:46) * 2 lines
James, I assume you're in Austin?
Had a group of friends in Austin that spent a summer hopping, but I think they've pretty much dispersed... or gotten legs shorn off by fast moving rail cars!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 3 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (12:12) * 3 lines
I wonder if we could quietly contact them as anonymous sources for his
article, I have one friend I'm trying to track down about this.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 4 of 60: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (12:20) * 1 lines
Hmm.. I'll see if I can figure out where they're living now.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 5 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (15:25) * 2 lines
Great, I've got an email in to my other source.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 6 of 60: James Hibberd (travis5) * Sat, Nov 8, 1997 (01:26) * 2 lines
Has anyone found somebody?
Thanks
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 7 of 60: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (13:17) * 1 lines
not yet.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 8 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (14:28) * 2 lines
working on it still. Have you heard from Mickey?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 9 of 60: Mickey McInnis (kb5yac) * Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (22:31) * 20 lines
Greetings. I'm fairly familiar with trains and train watching.
I've watched trains, listened to them on the radio, been to railfan
conventions, and all that stuff.
Unfortunately, about the only good thing about train hopping is that it's
a good way to get killed or crippled.
I don't want to come off as a stick in the mud, but it's really an
awful idea. We probably have 3 or 4 unfortunate train hoppers a year
killed or maimed each year in the Central Texas area. (and that's just
the ones I hear about.) There are probably more minor injuries and
major ones I haven't heard about. I even hear about the professional
train crews getting hurt getting on or off the train occasionally.
There's really no safe way to ride a train except in the engine. Even
the caboose is not really very safe. That's part of the reason why
you don't see cabooses much anymore.
(I don't know how long these things should be, so I'll include more in
a later message.)
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 10 of 60: Mickey McInnis (kb5yac) * Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (23:08) * 45 lines
It was never very safe to hop trains, but it's got much worse now for several
reasons.
Train crewmembers very rarely ride rail cars when moving any more. Even
then, they usually just hang on to the rear car when the train moves
very slowly when switching. The "safety appliances" such as handrails
walkways, etc have been reduced, removed or allowed to rust away. Old
railcars were designed to be "safely" occupied by the train crew while in motion. Modern cars aren't. Modern cars often lack anywhere safe to
sit or stand, and may even have holes in them where you can fall through
down to the rails. Look at some of the "stacked container" type cars.
There's no floor to them. If you look in where the container sits,
you see the rails.
Modern trains run faster than old trains and may make infrequent stops.
You may find yourself unable to get off for many more miles than you
wanted to. You can even die from hypothermia if it gets cold and/or
wet.
Modern trains are longer than older ones. There is a phenomenon called
"slack action" that causes jerking motions as long trains start and stop.
Many a crew member has been thrown from one side of a caboose to another
by slack action when the train starts or stops or even encounters the
top or bottom of a hill.
We've had a lot of people lately killed by being sealed into boxcars.
They can die from heat, lack of oxygen or even from chemical fumes.
Sometimes rail cars have fumigating agents added to kill rats and mice
in cars carrying grain. You also never know when some chemical carried
previously in the car might cause fumes or oxygen deprivation in a closed
car. You never know when an open boxcar may get sealed by a train crew
or train motion.
You should watch some trains in motion sometimes. The rocking motion
of cars can be rather violent at times. A perfectly good looking car
may start to rock violently at speed. You may be banged around for
a very long time before the train stops or slows down enough to get off.
You may also run into problems with the human element. Other trainhoppers,
or even denizens of the seedy areas that the trains tend to run through
may harm you. The railroad police or other police may arrest you (if
you're lucky.)
You can also find yourself stopped for a long time in the middle of
nowhere. Sometimes a low-priority train might be stopped on a siding
for days if times get crazy. (It's been crazy in the local area lately.)
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 11 of 60: Mickey McInnis (kb5yac) * Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (23:26) * 21 lines
In cas you haven't guessed it yet, I'm opposed to any discussion of the
joys or techniques of train hopping. I'm really afraid that any such
discussions would encourage kids or even stupid adults into doing it.
There are some newsgroups you might check out. There is
alt.railroad, misc.transportation.rail.* and probably a few others.
You'll probably get a lot of rude responses there if you ask about
train hopping, but you'll definitely get more reasons not to do it.
I really hope you decide not to do any train hopping. I REALLY hope
you don't do anything that could encourage someone else to do it. If you
do decide to do it, realize it's really dangerous, much more dangerous
than most other "adventurous" things you might do. I hope you don't
write any favorable articles. I think it's close to writing an article
about the fun a teenager has running away from home and hitchiking
across the country or using drugs.
I get the impression you're involved in the newspaper area. I can
probably find you a contact with a local railroad. I can pobably
promise you they'll be extremely opposed to the idea, but they may
have some information for you.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 12 of 60: Mickey McInnis (kb5yac) * Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (23:34) * 5 lines
By the way, I'll be glad to discuss trains in general and train watching
in particular. There are some local train nuts, museums, and
historical societies.
(actually, just try to shut me up once you get me started....)
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 13 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (11:01) * 2 lines
Where do you find these train museums?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 14 of 60: James Hibberd (travis5) * Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (21:44) * 4 lines
To Mickey:
Yes I'm writing a story about trainhopping. And yes, the piece will talk about the romantic/adventure aspects, as people who have train hopped have very positive opinions about their experience. However, most of the story is devoted to the dangers of trainhopping, and why no one should do it in this day and age. I already know and have included most of the warnings in your posts although some bits (like that longer modern trains mean more slack action) I didn't know, so thanks. I share your concern for no
wanting to influence those who are impressionable, but I also cannot honestly portray sport trainhoppers as nothing more than crazy kids.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 15 of 60: Mickey McInnis (kb5yac) * Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (00:12) * 56 lines
Re: Train Museums.
I might have some minor details wrong, but....
There's a "Pioneer and Railroad" museum in Temple Near Avenue H and
31st street. It's near the railroad track in the old Santa Fe
station. They have a steam engine on display. There is talk
of putting a museum in the old Katy station just east of downtown,
but I don't think anything has happened yet.
There's a small "museum" and train layout in downtown New Braunfels
in the old railroad station at San Antonio Street downtown at the
railroad track just South of the town square. It's very small, but
has some interesting stuff and a nice layout and a few cars and
(I think) a small steam engine.
In Smithville, there's a park with a small but very nice museum in
the old station house along the railroad tracks downtown. There
are a few cars and a caboose on display.
In San Antonio, there is a Museum I haven't been into on Wetmore
Road north of the airport. It has some cars, engines, etc. and I
think it may have an actual working engine of some sort with a very
short ride, but I'm not sure of the details.
There's a Museum in Houston with a fairly large number of rail cars
with railroad items in them. I forget the location, but I think it's
East or Northeast. There's talk of moving it downtown.
The Texas State Railroad runs from Palestine to Rusk. It has a
running Steam engine ride. I think they have some sort of museum.
I've seen the train, but not the park area.
Of course, Austin has the hill country flier steam train running
in various areas from Austin to Burnet. No museum, though.
In Dennison, there is the Red River Railroad Museum just east of downtown
on main street. (?) This is a nice, but fairly small museum.
I think there are some train attractions in DFW, including the
Tarantula railroad that does some sort of rides.
There is some sort of train thing in Jefferson, TX, including (I think)
steam train rides.
A fair number of other towns have small museums or displays in old
train stations.
The San Antonio and Houston dinner trains are no more.
There are a lot of interesting old stations in various states of
restoration or decay in many cities around Texas. The I&GN station
in San Antonio has been beautifully restored. The SP station in
SA is nice, too. The Santa Fe station in Temple is nice and still used
by amtrack.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 16 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (13:39) * 7 lines
If you were in his shoes, Mick, where would you go to find the
"other side" of this issue? Any ideas.
Great stuff on museums.
Do you know of train resources on the web?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 17 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, May 3, 1998 (04:47) * 33 lines
I see the Trainhopping
article made it into
print, even into the
Austin360 website:
He details the pro and con
trainhopping pages on the web.
One quote from a local
trainhopper:
"I love freight riding so
much and I love the culture
so much and I have
awe and respect for its
history," said Bill Daniel
(rail name: Bad Mouth),
a 38-year-old trainhopper
who hosted Funhouse Cinema
at the Ritz Lounge.
"The fact that it's on
the Internet and the fact
that it's getting totally
popular as the
yuppie-bungee-jumping-sport
breaks my heart."
http://www.austin360.com/features/train/trainhop.htm
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 18 of 60: larry mctaco (sgtslaughter) * Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (16:13) * 1 lines
Does this still post
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 19 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (22:53) * 1 lines
Looks like! Are you a train hopper?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 20 of 60: terry (sprin5) * Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (09:06) * 1 lines
Mickey McInnis suggested this topic, we're moving his site, http://www.tcares.org to the new server location.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 21 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Apr 3, 2000 (15:37) * 1 lines
It has been brought to my attention that there is renewed interest in train hopping and disappointmemt that no one has been posting. I will do anything requested of me to aid in the perpetuation of this topic and the memories it evokes. However, never having hopped a train myself, I need your help. If you lurk and never log in, I will never know who you are. My email works and I answer any I get. If you wish to remain anonymous and not login, I can post your comments second hand, as it were. But, you may login however you like and put "none" for email if you truly wish to remain anonymous.Other suggestions are most welcome. Please post something if you are interested. If 20 people who really want to see something here just lurk, then we shall all be the poorer for it. Gentlemen?!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 22 of 60: terry (sprin5) * Wed, Apr 5, 2000 (07:14) * 1 lines
Really, jump on!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 23 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (16:18) * 31 lines
Since no one else is posting here, and in the interest of stimulating conversation and musing on the art of train hopping, I will post "stuff" until someone who has actually done it posts.
Train Hoppers Dictionary
Bull
Railroad security persons, usually driving white American trucks around the yard.
Catch Out
To hop or jump on a freight train.
COFC/TOFC
Container On Flat Car / Trailer On Flat Car.
Consist
What a train is made up of.
Drag/Turn/Work Train
A train doing local delivery and pickups.
FRED/EOT
Fucking Rear End Device / End Of Train device. A small blinking red light on the back of the last car of a train.
Hotshot
A train with high priority over other traffic.
Piggyback
A flat train car that holds trucks or containers.
Power
The engines powering the train.
Reefer
A refrigerated box car.
Stack Train
A train made up of mostly flat cars or well cars, loaded with standardardized shipping containers, sometimes
"double stacked". Also known as intermodal freight.
Unit
A engine or locomotive.
http://www.catalog.com/hop/misc/dict.html
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 24 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (16:47) * 8 lines
National Hobo Association home page = http://www.hobo.org/
"Our forebears were those unique Knights of the Open Road, the American Hoboes.
From the Civil War right on up to today, these adventurous souls have been part of
our national heritage. And here in the modern day, we still honor their same
traditions. Many of us were hoboes in our past, some of us still are. Even more of us
never rode a freight train at all but that’s o.k.! Hoboing is a state of mind
not a set behavior. "
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 25 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (16:57) * 4 lines
http://www.hobo.org/whistles.html
Interesting tales here of experienced on the rails. Until someone live posts, I'll have to be content with these.
My favorite Train museum is the one in Sacramento, California. It is an interesting experience to walk under a huge locomotive. The experience is accompanied by a disquieting feeling of run-or-be-crushed... All of the people who staff the area are retired trainmen who tell wonderful stories and swap tales with those interested. I had to be hauled away by my son so we could make a dinner appointment.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 26 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (17:14) * 42 lines
Spent an overnight at a local motel in Elko a few years ago travelling between Sacramento and Denver. Interesting town wiht fascinating geology all around it.
NHA Chooses Elko,
Nevada for Year 2000
Hobo
Music & Poetry Festival
July 28, 29 & 30
The National Hobo Association has selected the
Fairgrounds at Elko, Nevada for the location of
its Millennium Hobo Music and Poetry Festival.
Dates for the Festival are July 28, 29 and 30,
2000! (It seems odd to type 2000 without a
comma!)
Elko is fast becoming a popular convention spot in the west with several hotels of all
economic levels along with lots of shopping and RV facilities. Even a few nice
Casinos. Elko is the home of the Annual Cowboy Poetry Festival that last year
hosted some 20,000 visitors. It also a crew change point on the Union Pacific;
Milepost 557.
This year's NHA Festival should be biggest ever. We'll be promoting the event for the
next nine months in all media and the Elko Chamber of Commerce will include the
event in it's literature as well. The Festival will also include sponsorship and exhibits
by the Northeast Nevada Railway Historical Society.
An all star slate of folk/hobo musicians is planned and we intend to have twenty or
so major performers along with open microphone time for all "walk ins". Look for
some of America's real "greats" in the hobo music field at this year's event; Utah
Phillips, Larry Penn, Smokestack Ross, Banjo Fred, Rick Palieri, Spider John
Koerner, The Doll Ranchers, Haywire Brack, Luther the Jet, Jay Mazzarella, Liberty
Justice, Luckenbach Al Grierson, Kuddie the Feather River Kid, Ron Miles, Buzz
Potter, Pop Wagner, Bodie Wagner and Danville Dan.
The fairgrounds will offer seating for 4,000 in the grandstand alone with unlimited
open grassy areas available for camping. The various concession stands will offer
food, cold drinks (beer, Night Train and pop). Latrines and dumpsters will be
available. The dumpsters will not be used as restaurants. the entire Fairgrounds is
well fenced with a secure entrance gate. The infield area where camping is available
has electric power, showers and change rooms, and night lighting. There will be no
curfews. The NHA will be in sole control of the Festival including security.
Order Advance Tickets On-Line
http://hobo.org/shop.cfm?GroupID=Events
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 27 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (17:17) * 22 lines
Even more amazing and not just a bit of a come-on for the curious:
http://www.amplifiedintelligence.com/TrainHoppingWatch.html
Train Hopping Watch
The purpose of this page is to provide resources for law enforcement, railroad police, and
concerned citizens to enable them to better monitor internet coverage of this dangerous and
illegal activity.
Unauthorized use of this site by
train hoppers looking for information
is strictly forbidden!
Unfortunately when you put information on the internet everyone can access it. Recent traffic
on freight train hopper mailing lists indicates that freight train hoppers are making
unauthorized use of this page, so this page has been given an additional mission. Now in
addition to its main purpose it is also designed to lure unsuspecting freight train hopping thrill
seekers to a location where they can hopefully learn a little about freight train hopping safety.
I apologize to the concerned citizens who this material offend.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 28 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (17:46) * 2 lines
A little querying inhouse has produced the fact that the resident male hopped trains in California in the late 1940's. I am trying to get stories out of him, but so far all I can gather is that he and his friends were loners who did not hang around other hobos because they were none (that they saw). I asked him what he ate and he said cheese and crackers. Does not sound like much of a diet for "a couple of weeks" worth of meals. They went from near Los Angeles to San Francisco via several trains and always in open boxcars (it was warm weather.)
More as I probe his memory for details.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 29 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (17:53) * 99 lines
In memory of his days riding the rails, and possibly because of them, herein, courtesy:http://www.deadtrainbums.com/Busted/Law.html
California Law on Train Hopping
This page contains links to california anti freight train hopping
laws Union Pacific has a Zero tolerance policy towards
FreightHopping so don't get caught or or you might get 30 days
in the county jail.
You can check out the California Laws for yourself click here to go to the top of the states
pages or follow the links below to what I think are some of the more important ones
California Penal Code 587 b
587b. Every person, who shall, without being thereunto authorized by the owner, lessee, person or corporation
operating any railroad, enter into, climb upon, hold to, or in any manner attach himself to any locomotive,
locomotive-engine tender, freight or passenger car upon such railroad, or any portion of any train thereon, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars
($50), or by imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
California Penal Code section 369i
369i. (a) Any person who enters or remains upon the property of any railroad without the permission of the owner of the
land, the owner's agent, or the person in lawful possession and whose entry, presence, or conduct upon the property
interferes with, interrupts, or hinders, or which, if allowed to continue, would interfere with, interrupt, or hinder the safe
and efficient operation of any locomotive, railway car, or train is guilty of a misdemeanor.
As used in this subdivision, "property of any railroad" means any land owned, leased, or possessed by a railroad upon
which is placed a railroad track and the land immediately adjacent thereto, to the distance of 20 feet on either side of
the track, which is owned, leased, or possessed by a railroad.
Californai Penal Code section 554 g
554. Any property, except that portion of such property to which the general public is accorded access, may be posted
against trespassing and loitering in the manner provided in Section 554.1, and thereby become posted property
subject to the provisions of this article applicable to posted property, if such property consists of, or is used, or is
designed to be used, for any one or more of the following:
(g) A railroad right-of-way, railroad bridge, railroad tunnel, railroad shop, railroad yard, or other railroad facility.
I seem to remember that when I was arrested in oakland there was one more about refusing to leave when told to do so
by an authorized representitive of the railroad. But I can't seem to be able to look it up right now.
CALIFORNIA CODES PENAL CODE SECTION 217.1-219.3
18. Every person who unlawfully throws out a switch, removes a rail, or places any obstruction on any railroad with the
intention of derailing any passenger, freight or other train, car or engine, or who unlawfully places any dynamite or other
explosive material or any other obstruction upon or near the track of any railroad with the intention of blowing up or
derailing any such train, car or engine, or who unlawfully sets fire to any railroad bridge or trestle, over which any such
train, car or engine must pass with the intention of wrecking such train, car or engine, is guilty of a felony, and shall be
punished by:
imprisonment in the state prison for life without
possibility of parole!!!!
In California most rail road special agents are peace
officers
misc.transport.rail.americas #73495 (1 more) (1)+-(1)
From: John Gillette \-[1]--[2]
+ <"gillettefambrea"@(nonospamspam)worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sun Jan 18 22:01:57 PST 1998
I don't know how they do it in your neck of the woods but in California, some (not all) RR "bulls" have completed "POST"
(Peace Officer Standards and Training) and have full Peace Officer status and authority under California state law. In
other words they can arrest you anywhere in the state for any violation of the law they observe like any other
peace officer.
Generally, they won't take any action off the property, likewise if they do anything that could get any other p.o. fired or
sued, they'll get fired or sued. Now, if they do something really dumb, their (including the company) false arrest
insurance will probably cover it. They'll probably then get fired and have to move to the boonies if they ever want to work
in their desired career field again. Not a lot of motivation to do more than toss (smart, friendly, cooperative)
tresspassers off the property. Then again if you do something stupid, you'll probably find out the hard way.
Now read this part carefully before flaming. I AM TALKING ABOUT RR POLICE IN CALIFORNIA , I am not talking
about all RR Police on all lines and/or the rent-a-cops that some lines also employ (BNSF on Cajon Pass). These guys
aren't any smarter than rent-cops anywhere else. Those guys you need to be careful with because they sometimes think
they are real cops and may try to be heavies. These guys have been known to try to block off Forest Service roads and
throw people off Forest Service land around company property in Cajon.
See also:Jessie gets busted between roseville and
dunsmuir and gets $405 dollar fine!!!
602 (k) Criminal Trespassing
You can read the statute for yourself at the official california state
law site, if your willing to do some scrolling down to 602. (k)
602. Except as provided in Section 602.8, every person who willfully commits a trespass by any of the following acts is
guilty of a misdemeanor:
(k) Entering any lands under cultivation or enclosed by fence, belonging to, or occupied by, another, or entering upon
uncultivated or unenclosed lands where signs forbidding trespass are displayed at intervals not less
than three to the mile along all exterior boundaries and at all roads and trails entering the lands
without the written permission of the owner of the land, the owner's agent or of the person in lawful possession, and
(1) Refusing or failing to leave the lands immediately upon being requested by the owner of the land, the owner's agent or by the person in lawful possession to leave the lands, or
(2) Tearing down, mutilating, or destroying any sign, signboard, or notice forbidding trespass or hunting on the lands, or
(3) Removing, injuring, unlocking, or tampering with any lock on any gate on or leading into the lands, or
(4) Discharging any firearm.
This section specifies the punishments for violation
of section 602(k)
602.8. (a) Any person who without the written permission of the landowner, the owner's agent or of the person in lawful
possession of the land, willfully enters any lands under cultivation or enclosed by fence, belonging to, or occupied by,
another, or who willfully enters upon uncultivated or unenclosed lands where signs forbidding trespass are displayed at
intervals not less than three to the mile along all exterior boundaries and at all roads and trails entering the lands, is
guilty of an infraction or a misdemeanor.
(b) Any person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) shall be punished as follows:
(1) For a first offense, punished as an infraction by a fine of ten
dollars ($10).
(2) For a second offense on any contiguous land of the same owner, punished as an infraction by a fine of not less than
one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(3) For a third or subsequent offense on any contiguous land of the same owner, by imprisonment in the county jail not
exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.
(c) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) Any person engaged in lawful labor union activities which are permitted to be carried out on property by the
California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, Part 3.5 (commencing with Section 1140) of Division 2 of the Labor Code,
or by the National Labor Relations Act.
(2) Any person on the premises who is engaging in activities protected by the California or United States Constitution.
(3) Any person described in Section 22350 of the Business and Professions Code who is making a lawful service of
process.
(d) For any infraction charged pursuant to this section, the defendant shall have the option to forfeit bail in lieu of making
a court appearance. Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 853.6, if the offender elects to forfeit bail pursuant to
this subdivision, no further proceedings shall be had in the case.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 30 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 9, 2000 (18:17) * 20 lines
This page is full of hyperlinks which do not show the URL, so I suggest if it interests you, that you visit http://www.reed.edu:80/~dmorton/
Since some people sadly like pictures here's a railroad map where you can click for info (almost like TV).
This is mainly your source for information on riding the rails in the Northwest. By the way, how dangerous is this?
If not in the PNW try these: East Coast or Midwest
If you're the armchair type, of if like me you're good at book-learning, you might want to check out these books. I've also
written some general hoboing advice for the beginner click here .
In Oregon you can check out Eugene or Klamath Falls. or heading east on the U.P.
In Washington hit the waterfront for slackaction Seattle
In California there's always LaLa Land! and Barstow (twice)
Since I last edited this page all the railroads have merged so see their huge root maps:
BNSF UP NS
My favorite town's been screwed by corporate mergers: See what happened to PDX
About me: sad sack
I'd love to hear your hoboing experiences, so e-mail me dmorton@reed.edu
You also might be interested in another hoboing site.
Sadly the hobo times is out of print, (here's a discussion of their demise) but they are on the web or check out old
copies at a library.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 31 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (15:37) * 1 lines
Anyone care to add to this or shall I borrow otherpeople's experiences off the net and pretend they are mine? Only problem is, it is likely that you have discovered that I have a name and place of origin which probably means I have not had this experience. However, some of the most unforgettable people I have ever met have done this in their Past (distant and not so distant). Might I add you to the collection so the lurkers have something to read besides my posts? A real human being would be nice...
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 32 of 60: Wolf (wolf) * Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (15:45) * 1 lines
i have no hopping stories to add. we have freight trains come through here quite regularly and while waiting for them to pass, i've peered into the open cars and wondered if anyone had hopped on. we are supposedly getting amtrak through here but don't know when.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 33 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (16:15) * 13 lines
A lively discussion between hoppers and discouragers and "old-timers"
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5346/east.html
"famous train hoppers include JohnDos Passos, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Upton Sinclair, Frank Capra, Clark Gable, John Fante, Bret Harte, and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas" - (plus a few friends of mine ...)
For the truly Out There rail fan: Combat Railfans Home Page
http://members.home.com/claygill/history.html
Gone are the days of what you are wearing on your back is the clothes options for the duration. Digital cameras, camcorders, scanners and cell phones have become popular options (necessities?!)
Comments, please...!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 34 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (16:36) * 1 lines
Yo Wolf! Get your stuff together and take a ride. Then tell us about it. Watch the legs, though. They tend to get in the way and you lose one or both of them. Fingers are also expendable...
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 35 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (16:38) * 1 lines
Not an activity recommended for future brain surgeons or gifted painters...*grin*
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 36 of 60: Maggie (sociolingo) * Sat, May 6, 2000 (07:39) * 5 lines
Only just found my way back in here. I promised someone I would look!
We don't have a culture of train hopping in the UK, so this all out of my experience, but i'm happy to learn.
I rather fancy train hopping in India. On top of the carriage of course!
I hope to try the Bamako to Dakar (Africa) train trip sometime, but that will definitely be inside.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 37 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, May 6, 2000 (14:37) * 1 lines
If anyone is still lurking on this topic (We have to keep this from turning into females talking about what is must be like and that sort of stuff which will drive the real ones away...), what sorts of food do you live on? Everyone has heard of Hobo Stew, but what is really in it (or is that part of the charm - not knowing?!) Where do you "collect" your ingredients? Does it require your getting off the train to cook whatever the food is for that meal? How much food poisoning is happening in these places?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 38 of 60: drake yodel (ccrkid) * Fri, May 12, 2000 (15:18) * 6 lines
Ok, I've been riding for 5 years now, not on the weekend' not for the summer, it's what I do. I have ridden more than 30.000 of North American rails and have never tasted hobo/mulligan stew not even at the Hobo convention. Many myths about the American hobo have been embelished through groups like the N.H.A. who like to point fingers at people like me and my generation to make themselves look better. They say there are no "real" hoboes left in the world but where do they draw that line.
The N.H.A. would like you to believe the American hobo could do no wrong, that they were forced into a life of wandering in search of backbreaking labor at slave wages but where are the stories of the whiskey soaked buffoons ever so present through out rail riding history. They are left out because they don't live up to the sdugar coated standard they created. I think our short lived history is as rich and interesting as that of the "hobo"
C.C.R. page
Black Metal Ryan's Page
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 39 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, May 12, 2000 (15:46) * 1 lines
Aloha DY (or what do you prefer to be called??!) Mahalo for the view of the other side of the coin. Fascinating stuff for someone like me watching enviously from the sidelines. Also interesting - but, somehow, not so surprising - that an organization which spends so much time in self-promotion has to do so at someone else's expense. They lose their objectivity and my readership by so doing. Thanks for your insights. Might we entice you to tell a few stories? There are others out there remembering and just waiting for a real train-hopper to kick-start their memories.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 40 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, May 12, 2000 (16:11) * 2 lines
C.C.R.'s page is awesome and love the boxcar wallpaper effect on the photo pages on Black Metal Ryan's. check them out!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 41 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, May 25, 2000 (00:21) * 1 lines
ccrkid (DY?!), I noted your valid statement, "I think our short lived history is as rich and interesting as that of the "hobo" " I am sure it is but there is no way ever that we are going to learn what this history is unless you help me learn by posting more. It is not something I can do myself. There are no railroads in my state. Real adventures are always more stirring and poignant and frightning then the made up sugar-coated ones put out like PR releases by the NHA. Please post some more. I am interested and would like to understand and share.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 42 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, May 25, 2000 (00:24) * 1 lines
I am also curious where you got food and water (to drink - won't ask about the other uses of water)...You see, I really am interested and care about you and your fellow travellers...
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 43 of 60: drake yodel (drakeyodel) * Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (22:17) * 9 lines
I haven't had access to the internet in a while so:
First let me ask, what were your implications in your statement "I won't ask about the other uses of water"? C.C.R. is a band of travelling persons between the ages of 17 and 33, we are much more tight knit than most other groups. I'd like to think we represent a more resourceful, self sufficient faction of American rail riders. We "fly signs" ie. will work for food etc. We also do returns which means that we steal retail items and return them for in store credit or cash back on occasion. Beyond that there are hundreds of other ways to make money, like working harvests, day labor and doing medical studies.
On trains we always fill up 2 liter bottles or milk jugs at gas stations.
I will post more soon. I appreciate the fact that this medium exists, and will encourage more of my friends to contribute. thanks
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 44 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (00:19) * 3 lines
Welcome back and Aloha,
You answered my questions well, and my allusions to other uses of water was a woman's question. It is something we think of as part of one of the XX in our chromosomes, I guess. Where do you bathe? That was the question, and I know it can be done on a male easier in a sink than a female. Just asking and if you don't want to answer it, that is ok, too. I am delighted that there is an autonomous group so bonded and independent still existing in the USA. I was afraid all of that had been obliterated from our collective memories and relegated to folklore status. Please return and tell us more. I know of a few very successful people who did train hopping to see the USA before they tied down with careers and families. Please, also encourage your friends to come forward also - this is your topic. I am just your interested and entusiastic cheerleader!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 45 of 60: john smith (handlewithcare) * Fri, Sep 9, 2005 (23:10) * 1 lines
does anyone have any information for me? i'm trying to fight a misdemeanor charge 587.b in california. please email wreckingball
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 46 of 60: Dorothy Epp (dot) * Fri, Sep 23, 2005 (16:25) * 1 lines
What is a 587.b ???
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 47 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 24, 2005 (06:58) * 3 lines
This is new to me and I'd like to hear anything further about it (charge 587.b).
I have a trunk tracking scanner and live near enough the rail yards in Louisville to listen to most of the conversatons. What fascinates me most is the routing. I never thought about it before, but like an airplane, a train has to have some place to go before it can leave, and all the trains along the way must be considered.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 48 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Dec 27, 2005 (09:44) * 1 lines
Where do the trains in Louisville go?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 49 of 60: Leo (WestboundWolf) * Wed, Feb 22, 2006 (18:58) * 5 lines
Hey folks....read this page with great interest. I've been riding trains myself, all in Canada, so I have a bit of a unique slant on things considering it's not exactly a common pasttime up here.
Anyhow, I have been searching for the CCR website for a long time now. Google has been of no help (do you have any idea how many things CCR apparently stands for???) I intend to keep on riding and I'd like to get in touch with some of the folks who share the experience.
DY posted a link to CCR's page back in 2000 but int he six years since, at some point it they must have moved. If anyone could post the link I'd appreciate it.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 50 of 60: wer (WERoland) * Thu, Feb 23, 2006 (18:18) * 4 lines
Welcome, Leo!
Near as I can tell, C.C.R.'s homepage is now here:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/2841/
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 51 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Feb 25, 2006 (09:49) * 3 lines
Hey, welcome Leo. Tell us about some of your experiences riding trains!
What trips are you planning?
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 52 of 60: Leo Wolff (westboundwolf) * Sat, Mar 25, 2006 (17:09) * 7 lines
Thanks so very much for the website link...I've been chasing that down forever. looks different than I remembered but it's been a couple of years!
I've done two long hauls...Halifax NS to Quebec City, and Edmundston NB to Halifax. I have also been from Halifax to Moncton NB and back (only about three hours, but definitely worth doing more than once..you got your thousand-foot hills and your coastal plains in one short ride). I did these in August 2003 and September 2004. I don't have any specific plans for more trips, I'm going out west in a month and I'll have to see what happens.
the problem here is it doesn't actually get warm enough to be pleasant when you've got a 60 mph wind in your face. a "hot" summer day here is about 78 degrees. at night it's at least 20 degrees cooler...in the 50s. also we lack boxcars...everything out of the port of Halifax is containers, so the best you can do is hunker down in a gondola car and that doesn't offer much shelter. so I've been looking forward to getting either further west or further south to do a little more, which is where my pursuit of the CCRs comes in. it'd be nice to have a traveling companion for once instead of having to do it solo (it's just never been part of the culture here).
some great stories around here, but it'd be nice if drake yodel was still around! give a holler if you're out there. are there ANY members of the CCR around here? thanks again for the help, WERoland.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 53 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Mar 25, 2006 (18:38) * 1 lines
Tell us some of your experiences!
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 54 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 26, 2006 (13:55) * 1 lines
Greeting, wolf. We've had some pretty interesting people come thru here even if they never posted and chose to do private email instead. I absolutely love trains and listen to them most of the day and night. You really don't even need a scanner. Next post will have a computer link.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 55 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 26, 2006 (14:18) * 3 lines
Listen to train marshalling yards and dispatchers:
http://railroadradio.net/
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 56 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 26, 2006 (14:21) * 3 lines
I'm also checking with folks who live in California about the state law in question in a previous post though I suspect emailing him to that non-link will not work.
Tell us tales, please, wolf. We are sitting around the campfire waiting.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 57 of 60: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 26, 2006 (16:31) * 18 lines
The law in question is:
587b. Every person, who shall, without being thereunto authorized by
the owner, lessee, person or corporation operating any railroad, enter
into, climb upon, hold to, or in any manner attach himself to any
locomotive, locomotive-engine tender, freight or passenger car upon
such railroad, or any portion of any train thereon, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof shall be punished
by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50), or by imprisonment not
exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. 587c. Every
person who fraudulently evades, or attempts to evade the payment of his
fare, while traveling upon any railroad, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine
of not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding
six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Thank you AE
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 58 of 60: Leo Wolff (westboundwolf) * Sun, Apr 23, 2006 (01:11) * 7 lines
Wow so there's really interest about stories here eh? Well...all I can say is it really was one of the greatest experiences of my life. And I did it with complete respect for the railroad and the people who make their living on it. In fact, out of all the incredible sights on that journey, it was one of the railroad crews that stands out as one of the best memories.
Actually in the middle of the ride from Halifax to Quebec City, I was getting eaten alive by mosquitos and flies when the train stopped for a while in the middle of a swampland. We must have waited an hour for another train to pass, and at one point I couldn't take it anymore. It was the middle of the night and I couldn't see anything and I was afraid to use a light because it would attract even more insects. (I'm an avid camper and I thought I'd seen bad bugs, but it was like I was parked right atop a nest!!)
So I hopped out of the container car and wandered up half a mile to the locomotives. This one engineer was standing off to the side having a smoke, and I wandered out of the darkness in the middle of the swampland and I honestly expected him to radio for the police, or at least tell me not to come any closer. Instead the first thing he said was "Watch out my friend, there's a train coming round the bend up there any minute." I instantly knew he was a good guy, concerned more for my well being than his own meeting a stranger in the middle of the night! His name was Eddie and he asked me mine just as the train roared by and although I yelled, he misheard me and said "You say Leo??" I thought about it and said "Yeah...Leo." and that's the name I've gone by ever since in my travels.
He asked me where I was from and I said "about 20 cars back." He was surprised, never seen a rider in 12 years working for CN. I told him my 'plight' and he put me up in the empty cab of the second locomotive, where I stayed til we arrived in Quebec. There was a crew change and the french crew threw me off, just as Eddie said they would. but to have seen the sights from the rails for a whole night and morning from INSIDE a cab, with the blessing and understanding of a train crew, is something I will never forget. I don't think I'll ever have that kind of luck again.
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 59 of 60: Leo Wolff (westboundwolf) * Sun, Apr 23, 2006 (01:21) * 3 lines
Oh by the way, I've been looking over the CCR page somebody posted the link to...it seems mostly dead links, deleted pictures and out of date e-mail/contact info. I have been hoping to find some sort of forum like the defunct Hamburger Hill site where riders can find likeminded fools.
Anybody know of a good place to do so? I know there's plenty of folks out there, it's gotta just be a matter of breaking through to the right sources...
Topic 23 of 71 [austin]: Train hopping
Response 60 of 60: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Apr 23, 2006 (19:05) * 11 lines
http://www.slackaction.com/hopping.htm
http://www.northbankfred.com/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Travel/Train_Travel/Train_Hopping
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rails/
http://www.geocities.com/csxdoublestack/
http://www.thespoon.com/trainhop/
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