Car hopping

[Anonymous]

I watched with geat interest a movie that featured the hero jumping and hopping on a turn of the century Shay with pin and link coupling arrangement. He balanced on the above mentioned couping, up and over a passenger car to the caboose, finally making it to the loco cab, all while the train was moving, quite fast, I might add.
It was very exciting to watch, and left me wondering if trainmen of old did attempt such risky maneuvers, and if it were all possible to achieve such feats. Does anyone know of such attempts, personal or otherwise, and is it possible?

[JoeKoh]

possible?yes dangerous EXTREMELY.i WOULD NOT RECOMMEND any such attempt to anyone.Leave it to the stuntmen in hollywood.
stay safe
joe

[edblysard]

Where I work, we ride on cars all day, its part of the job for a switchman. If we are ever seen crossing from one side to the other of a moving car, or crossing from one car to another, we are pulled out of service on the spot. The area between cars is what the FRA calls the red zone, I was taught to refer to it as the dead zone, because if your ever in it when or while the train is moving, your dead. The cross over platforms are there for you to cross over a standing, not moving, car. Yes, I am sure you see some railroaders crossing between and across cars on them, but think about this.
How many times in your life have you turned around and taken a step, only to stumble or trip?
Lots, I bet.
Have that happen on a moving train, and if you survive, I can promise you that a arm, leg or someother important part of your body will be missing. Odds are you will be killed. This stuff dosent forgive mistakes like that, ever. Buster Keton, whom is the person I am sure you were watching, was an accomplished stunt man, and a avid railroad buff. I have always though he should have realized how many people would watch him do his stunts, and die trying to replicate them. Like I said, I do this for a living, and if I have to change cars, we stop. No exceptions, ever.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[cabforward]

an excellent example of how hoboes riding trains can have a deadly impact on the crew is in the movie, 'emperor of the north', with lee marvin and ernest borgnine..

this is a terrific r.r. movie about a hobo and conductor that really get personal with each other.. one scene shows how a hobo can cause dadly problems for a crew.. will not get specific, but railfans will enjoy all of it, and the special scene will stand out regardless..