Trainhopping

[RevSouth]

Or freighthopping, whichever you fancy. Anyhow, has anyone ever done so? I'm fairly interested in the topic, but it also scares the hell out of me, there's about a million ways you could die doing it. Most can be easily avoided though. I'm most frightened of losing a limb though, apparently if you try and hop on and your legs swing under, you can lose 'em. Anyway heres a site on it, theres plenty on the net, though.

http://www.thespoon.com/trainhop/

[An archist]

You've been watching too many movies.

[Avtomat_Icaro]

Some friends of mine always used to travel like that in Russia...one of them lives in Holland now and wants me to join him in doing that. But then again I kind of found out that most Russians have this mentality that they dont really care if they could die from it or get seriously injured.

[RevSouth]

Originally posted by [email protected] 21, 2007 07:25 pm
But then again I kind of found out that most Russians have this mentality that they dont really care if they could die from it or get seriously injured.
Many of us Americans are like that as well. :lol:

It's also kind of an cultural thing I think, for some people. It goes back to the Great Depression in the United States, when itinerant workers would use it to get to new areas to work in, i.e. the hobos. It's a hobby for some, and transportation for others. I might just have to find some old timer to teach me.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Hopping a train isn't that hard; holding on for a long ride can be. Obviously, you don't want to jump on a bullet, but coal cars can easily be caught when they slow through cities (for example).

[Axel1917]

I have no clue, as I have never tried it. I admit it does sound like it is fun, but I would rather just find myself a metropolitan area and start revolutionary work there than get on trains and end up in who-knows-where.

[ahab]

I got a DIY book from crimethinc one time and they go pretty in depth on how to do it, i've only had the opportunity to try it a couple times, but the 2 times I have done it the train was in the yard leaving and going pretty slow, so i'd suggest doing it that way if your afraid to lose your legs

[RevSouth]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22, 2007 12:27 pm
I got a DIY book from crimethinc one time and they go pretty in depth on how to do it, i've only had the opportunity to try it a couple times, but the 2 times I have done it the train was in the yard leaving and going pretty slow, so i'd suggest doing it that way if your afraid to lose your legs
Do you know what it was called, ahab?

[ahab]

Originally posted by RedSouth+July 22, 2007 12:43 pm--> (RedSouth @ July 22, 2007 12:43 pm)
[email protected] 22, 2007 12:27 pm
I got a DIY book from crimethinc one time and they go pretty in depth on how to do it, i've only had the opportunity to try it a couple times, but the 2 times I have done it the train was in the yard leaving and going pretty slow, so i'd suggest doing it that way if your afraid to lose your legs
Do you know what it was called, ahab? [/b]
its called D.I.Y. guide 2

its a free little pamphlet you get when you order shit from crimethinc, its got a bunch of helpful shit in it, I think you even get it free when you order free shit from crimethinc

[Dr Mindbender]

i think anyone who takes it up should lay off the pies and chips for a while beforehand. ;)

[Mariam]

Because Bahrain is too small to have trains i've done some with buses and water tankers when i was younger!

[Palmares]

I would love to try this. But I think it is mostly something cultural to the US. As the trains in the US, having boxcars or whatever, are more suitable for it. Ive heard a little for other countries, but hitching seems to be more popular, but in the US it seems the opposite.

I think some trainhoppers have extensive mapping of the routes of different train networks. I'd love to hook up with people who are in the know. One day...

[Dr Mindbender]

aw well at least when you fuck up your jump it'll provide some amusing pictures for the rest of us on rotten.com
:lol:

[anarchista feminista]

Originally posted by Ulster [email protected] 27, 2007 03:56 am
aw well at least when you fuck up your jump it'll provide some amusing pictures for the rest of us on rotten.com
:lol:
:( I hope to never see any revlefters on there. I'm a bit too paranoid to do that sort of thing I think... :unsure:

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

I think some trainhoppers have extensive mapping of the routes of different train networks. I'd love to hook up with people who are in the know. One day...

I know some in the Midwest and North East.. and I know others who know them all through the Midwest and West. If you ever seriously need info, I could get it for you.

[Revolucija]

It's possible, but 'forum advices' won't help ;)

[which doctor]

I've been meaning to go trainhopping all summer, but I have yet to do so.

[Organic Revolution]

I used to train hop, and still have my stolen maps somewhere. I'll post a picture of them, they are extensive train line mappings, that I stole from the train yard.

Coal cars are the easiest, but remember to bring a bandanna, because when you go through tunnels it will all blow in your face. Never go into a boxcar when you go through a tunnel, no idea why, but a hobo told me.

[dannthraxxx]

from my experience, or most of the coal cars i've hopped, shit isnt that easy. there really isnt anywhere to go on a coal car. you jump onto the ladder and hold on for dear life. even if it looks slow, it's goin hella fast usually.

box cars are nice, but i rarely if ever see those.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Yeah, you gotta hold the latter.. or you can stand on a ledge, but that's alot more dangerous.

You don't see a lot of the old-school box cars anymore (at least I don't), but the crate-cars are around (they are usually hauling cars, cattle, etc.).

[Palmares]

Could someone clarify what the different 'cars' are? Pictures maybe,..?

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Coal cars:
http://www.math.niu.edu/~polansky/Jpegs/wiscoal.jpg
http://www.conceptsystemsinc.com/solutions/images/coal_car.jpg

Box cars:
http://www.urhs.org/pictures/cnj_24165.jpg
http://photos29.flickr.com/35695396_c3fb5f9b33_o.jpg

Coil cars:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9b/NS_164420_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg/800px-NS_164420_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg

Autorack / crate cars:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9c/ETTX_905721_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg/800px-ETTX_905721_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg

Reefer / refrigerated cars:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Santa_Fe_33055_Route_of_the_Chief.jpg

Flatcar:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e9/FEC_37066_20050604_WI_Glen_Haven.jpg/800px-FEC_37066_20050604_WI_Glen_Haven.jpg

There are probably more types, but those are the ones I know and have experience with.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Oh, forgot hoppers.. They are like coal cars, but they can unload from a door on the bottom:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/Hopper_cars.jpg

And tankers:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/UTLX_204455_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg/800px-UTLX_204455_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg

[Niemand]

Originally posted by Compañ[email protected] 06, 2007 12:58 pm

Box cars:
http://www.urhs.org/pictures/cnj_24165.jpg
http://photos29.flickr.com/35695396_c3fb5f9b33_o.jpg

Autorack / crate cars:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9c/ETTX_905721_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg/800px-ETTX_905721_20050529_IL_Rochelle.jpg

Reefer / refrigerated cars:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Santa_Fe_33055_Route_of_the_Chief.jpg

There are probably more types, but those are the ones I know and have experience with.
So how exactly do you get into these three cars?

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

You don't want to get into a reefer. It's cold in there.

Box cars are often open. If not you have to bust them open, if you can. The same goes with crates.

Alternatively, you can hold onto the ladder on the outside.