Trains.com

Its tough being a Hobo these days..

2201 views
29 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Its tough being a Hobo these days..
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 4:33 PM
Railroad workers dont help you out with info like they used to and On NS in Conway PA.I got reported to the railroad police twice by the carknockers. I was told by the railroad police that workers are now required to report tresspasers. He said that a snitch culture now exists on NS. Gee I would hate to work there.[V]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 4:57 PM
Welcome to the post 9-11 world. NS has been advising employees to report ALL trespassers for a while now. I think they even have ATMs that conduct stings by posing as trespassers to see how far they can get...

LC
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 6:17 PM
Its not only NS but CSX is also tightning up security too.
stay safe
joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 6:20 PM
Gee, makes me glad we don't have a vehicle and can't go watch the trains.[:(]
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 386 posts
Posted by Nora on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 7:57 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainfinder22

Railroad workers dont help you out with info like they used to and On NS in Conway PA.I got reported to the railroad police twice by the carknockers. I was told by the railroad police that workers are now required to report tresspasers. He said that a snitch culture now exists on NS. Gee I would hate to work there.[V]


You weren't the guy I saw getting a little talking to from NS and Conway police on the ramp into the yard the weekend of July 24, were you? Hehehe.
  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Independence, MO
  • 1,570 posts
Posted by UPTRAIN on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 8:09 PM
HA HA HA!!! [:D]

Pump

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Anywhere there are trains
  • 578 posts
Posted by Train Guy 3 on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 10:06 PM
When all else fails.... RUN!

TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 10:24 PM
Guess that's good and bad. Bad for us railfans but good having the increased security. Never know what's going to happen and where these days.
  • Member since
    May 2015
  • 5,134 posts
Posted by ericsp on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 10:27 PM
I don't tresspass and have never been bothered while railfanning. In fact, one time I saw a GECX SD40T-2 still in SP paint in a train yard. I could not get a good picture from public property, so I went to the yard office and asked if I could go into the parking lot to take a picture and they let me. I was surprised.

"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 12:35 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainfinder22

Railroad workers dont help you out with info like they used to and On NS in Conway PA.I got reported to the railroad police twice by the carknockers. I was told by the railroad police that workers are now required to report tresspasers. He said that a snitch culture now exists on NS. Gee I would hate to work there.[V]


It's okay..there are still openings for cra***est dummies, ejection seat test pilots and those guys that dive from hign place into tiny buckets of water......equally as exciting...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 1:36 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

When all else fails.... RUN!


Theres nothing that proves your innocence more than running from the cops![:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 1:37 AM
Yep. Innocent until proven guilty[:p]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 7:46 AM
Just worth repeating. take pics leave footprints. dont tresspass and if asked whats up by a RR employee or cop mind your Ps and Qs.
stay safe
joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 8:26 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

When all else fails.... RUN!

To paraphrase another truism: You can stand there and let them wonder if you're guilty, or run and remove all doubt...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 8:43 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

When all else fails.... RUN!

To paraphrase another truism: You can stand there and let them wonder if you're guilty, or run and remove all doubt...


Truer words could not be spoken.[:)]
If you ask,usually you will receive.
I'm with Joe,and others,take pictures,and leave footprints![:)]

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 8:53 AM
This is a sidebar to above,I had wanted to get
into the Russell,Ky. engine terminal for some time.
I asked an employee,and he told me,if I got stopped,and
asked questions,to tell whomever,that I was with the motive
power dept.,and I was there inspecting.
Well, I got to see the operation their,Loved it!
Never got questioned. Unfortunatly,years ago.
I'm sure I couldn't do it now.

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 1:00 PM
Well the best advice about dealing with railroad police is to be upfront and open
within reason. Most RR cops have a catch and release policy. They keep tabs on transiants moving from one end of the country to next like the railroads keep tabs on railroad cars of freight. After a while they know who are the regular riders who work seasonly and the ocasional collage kids out for the summer.
The idea here is to seperate the goats from the sheep by finding out paths of crimanal behavior and tracking down the Psychopathic[8] who ocasionaly take to the run on the rails who would pose a threat to railroad workers. The experance has been for the most part that hobos are a benign part of railroading much like the mole on your butt (More like the mouse in the rich mans house)that you know is there but would rather not tell everyone publicy.
The reality is that theives and murderers dont ride trains but use railroad property as secluded no mans land to do there dirty deeds.Many hobos are Patrotic Americans who love this country and have obsesive copulsion to travel and see this country that they risked there lives for.[|)]
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 1:48 PM
Hoboing is a good way to get yourself a Darwin Award[xx(]!
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 3:10 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer

Hoboing is a good way to get yourself a Darwin Award[xx(]!


[#ditto]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 3:14 PM
For the one millionth time, NS employees have always reported trespassers!!! its not a post 9/11 thing, most railroads have been doing the same for years, my advise, Stay off RR property and you won't get into trouble.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Anywhere there are trains
  • 578 posts
Posted by Train Guy 3 on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 11:30 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

When all else fails.... RUN!

To paraphrase another truism: You can stand there and let them wonder if you're guilty, or run and remove all doubt...


True. But that's why i always stay on public property.

TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 11:44 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

When all else fails.... RUN!

To paraphrase another truism: You can stand there and let them wonder if you're guilty, or run and remove all doubt...


Truer words could not be spoken.[:)]
If you ask,usually you will receive.
I'm with Joe,and others,take pictures,and leave footprints![:)]


No, no,no. To ask is to seek denial...

LC
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Bremerton, Wa
  • 540 posts
Posted by jguess733 on Thursday, August 5, 2004 12:02 AM
A buddy of mine and I tried hoboing about a month an a half ago. We are both in the Navy, we're submariners actually so we ARE somewhat crazy. We got two weeks of leave so we wanted to see how far we could make it in a week and then head back the opposite direction. We took off out of Seattle, and we only made it to Spokane before the RR police caught us. We got to see some pretty country, but they weren't too happy with us for tresspassing. They figured we weren't down on our luck, because our hair was a little too neat, and our clothes too clean. When he found out we were military he let us go (he apparently was an ex-marine). Our command had some choice words for us and how we spent our free time, but it is an experiance I will never forget, and it was oh so much fun.

Jason

Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Thursday, August 5, 2004 2:00 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jguess733

A buddy of mine and I tried hoboing about a month an a half ago. We are both in the Navy, we're submariners actually so we ARE somewhat crazy. We got two weeks of leave so we wanted to see how far we could make it in a week and then head back the opposite direction. We took off out of Seattle, and we only made it to Spokane before the RR police caught us. We got to see some pretty country, but they weren't too happy with us for tresspassing. They figured we weren't down on our luck, because our hair was a little too neat, and our clothes too clean. When he found out we were military he let us go (he apparently was an ex-marine). Our command had some choice words for us and how we spent our free time, but it is an experiance I will never forget, and it was oh so much fun.
you attack sub crew..or the chick of the sea boomer crew? just wondering
csx engineer
"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Thursday, August 5, 2004 10:15 AM
When complaining about the inconvenience of being questioned by railroad police or other employee, consider your own place of employment; would you not be suspicious of a stranger wandering the halls of your company? Perhaps you would see fit to ask them what their business is there, or at least you might notify security.

With all the nut jobs loose in the world, it is in the railroader's own best interest to remove non-railroad personnel from the property. If nothing else, it saves the employees hours of needless paperwork when a trespasser's dumb *** gets run over.
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Thursday, August 5, 2004 10:22 AM
Zardoz, how very true. As much as I hate to admit it, we have to watch our backs.
There are some people out there who would just as soon hurt you as to ask what
you're doing.

It's safer to ask if you can look at the trains, and maybe take a few pictures of them.

If we are honest with them, and say we're railfans who just want to look, or to take a
few pictures of the trains, maybe they'll allow us to take the pics. If not, leave the
facility, go across the street somewhere and put on a telephoto lens. Or, if you are
just railfanning and not taking pics, get out the ole binoculars and look from across the
way. Much safer, in my opinion.
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Thursday, August 5, 2004 10:39 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by corailfan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

When all else fails.... RUN!


Theres nothing that proves your innocence more than running from the cops![:)]


..Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Watcha gonna do?,
...Whatcha gonna do when they come for you!

Insert theme from COPS here...[:D]

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 6, 2004 9:16 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

For the one millionth time, NS employees have always reported trespassers!!! its not a post 9/11 thing, most railroads have been doing the same for years, my advise, Stay off RR property and you won't get into trouble.


I never report tresspassers!

they jsut get run over if they get too close
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Saturday, August 7, 2004 3:13 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevinstheRRman

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

For the one millionth time, NS employees have always reported trespassers!!! its not a post 9/11 thing, most railroads have been doing the same for years, my advise, Stay off RR property and you won't get into trouble.


I never report tresspassers!

they jsut get run over if they get too close

I LIKE THIS MAN'S ATTITUDE!!![}:)]!
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Saturday, August 7, 2004 4:13 PM
When we did have a vechile,CW & I would go over a few blocks,and
watch the Southern(now NS).we would be parked on the street,a public
right of way,and a railrroad cop would come over to the car ,and ask us
what we were doing there.[:)]

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy