drifters, freight trains?

Question

im just curious, the drifters and homeless people that hop on freight trains - how do they know where the train is going, when its going e.t.c??

Answer 1

I have had many a hobo ask me if a train is going to a certain location.. If I knew the answer I was truthful with them.. most times the railroad police would spot them in the yard and take them away.. I was told they take them for a meal and then to the county line but that's only hear say,,

Answer 2

I have always thought this be fun. Take some snacks and drinks. We have a Train pass close to my house. In time you would learn, this one go West I assume. It has coal cars so they head up where the coal fields are, box cars with freight go somewhere else. There a Hub in Little Rock, Arkansas and probably one in Oklahoma. This where they would split or add cars depending on where they go. So, after my blabbing, a drifter learns from going where the train goes and knows a little from just seeing the Direction. Then others tell others to help. He waits until the train ready and gets on in or outside the Train yard, some get on if one stop where they wait, this is usually where there two sets of tracks in the country. This where the trains pass each other going opposite directions.

Answer 3

Well done, Dirtydog. Most rails did the same thing. Though illegal, as long as someone wasn't riding somewhere really dangerous or with access to angle cocks and were old enough to take care of themselves, we didn't mind. No more. If you are seen riding, it is extremely likely you will be picked up at the first opportunity by railroad or other law enforcement. You can thank Atta and his bunch for that, too.

Now, to dispel this "riding the rails nostalgia" BS.

Four letters: F. T. R. A. "Freight Train Riders of America". No, not the yuppies who foolishly ride for a "dirty hands" thrill. FTRA is a loosely knit, semi-organized group of people that are to the rails what the Hell's Angels are to motorcycles. Except, when compared side by side, they make the Angels look like nice guys. Their favorite targets? Said yuppies, and others out for a thrill ride. Very happy to cut your throat for your water. And that ain't no joke..................

Of course, not all you can bump into are FTRA. Most are merely people on the lam from the commission of other crimes;,armed robbery, burglary, rape, murder. Just the everyday crimes. Nothing exotic.

This is in additon to the dangers associated with being on railroad property and riding moving equipment. Share a car with a load? Check the cars out next time a train is passing by. See the box cars with the ends pushed out? See those bulkhead flat cars where only the frame of the bulkhead remains, with the rest having been blown out? Shifted loads. Put yourself in between and "splut".

Did you happen to check out the two major derailments and resulting fires that happened this week? Sure would've been thrilling to have been on one of those cars when they hit the ditch. "E" ticket ride, for sure.

Then there's the law. Just being there can get one into serious trouble in the form of a misdemeanor, and it is easy to unwittingly do something to upgrade to a felony. In addition, these are Federal charges. I understand Leavenworth is not nearly as nice as a state prison.

Don't do it.

Answer 4

Freight hopping rules! Be careful thought. Remember to hit the ground running or you'll hurt yourself!

Answer 5

im sure they dont care since they are "drifters" and "homeless". im sure they dont have a particular destination in mind. a free ride is a free ride, who cares if its to wyoming.

Answer 6

they just go until it stops...they dont really care where its going as long as it's taking them somewhere