CSSHEGEWISCH The past was rarely the way we remember it.
The past was rarely the way we remember it.
Miserable circumstances get molded by time into fond memories.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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16-567D3A It is probably more profitable now for the segment of society that used to ride the rails to stay in one place and collect the "Benefits" of the free handouts from the poverty industry. The technological changes in railroading over the last few decades weeded out the traditional Hobo.those riders left do it for kicks or are criminal groups like FTRA and illegal immigrants.you need an address, even it its a homeless shelter,to collect disability and other freebies.and the increase of security around terminals since 9/11 probably plays into it also.
It is probably more profitable now for the segment of society that used to ride the rails to stay in one place and collect the "Benefits" of the free handouts from the poverty industry. The technological changes in railroading over the last few decades weeded out the traditional Hobo.those riders left do it for kicks or are criminal groups like FTRA and illegal immigrants.you need an address, even it its a homeless shelter,to collect disability and other freebies.and the increase of security around terminals since 9/11 probably plays into it also.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Also remember that it doesn't take too much to become an amputee or a fatality on such rides.
GN_Fan Nice memories never to be forgotten or relived.
Amen to that. Like riding from Shelby to Whitefish, Montana over the Rockies in an ancient GN wooden boxcar, a slow ride from Wishram, Washington to Klamath Falls, Oregon down the "inside Gateway" (rare mileage!), or sadly, passing on the opportunity of riding the Modoc Line out to Winnemucca, Nevada. Good times.
I fail to see what this has to do with riding freight trains. As far as the poverty issue goes, the US provides little or nothing to it's citizens, which is quite contrary to how you feel. I rode lots of freights in Montana, Idaho, and Wahington in the 60's while attending the university. I did find other riders -- one train out of Interbay yard of the GN was PACKED with migrants going to Wenachee for the apple harvest. Every empty car had anywhere from 5-10 men in it, but leaving Wenachee the train was empty.
I'm now a retired expat living in Italy, a place that 16-567D3a would loath. The FLOOD of immigrants out of Africa gets food, water, shelter, medical help, and even a subsidy, something this guy thinks is barbaric. Appearently caring for one's neighbor borders on insanity as all Americans want to do is throw them all out and give them nothing. What a deal.
Anyway, I digress. Riding freights now is a LOT different than back then, mostly because of the rolling stock, coupled with the probability of arrest. Box cars had sliding doors, now what box cars there are have plug doors. There are no roof walks anymore. Well cars do not have a floor. The list goes on and on.
I just relish my ride over Lookout Pass, both in the caboose and in a boxcar. Three feet of new snow, 3 geeps in run 8, 12 GS gons, 1 box, and 2 cabooses. It was the NP's Wallace Branch on a 4% grade, now abandoned, and a meet with MILW 263 at Saltese, MT on trackage rights. Two Little Joes and a few geeps. The MILW is also abandoned. Nice memories never to be forgotten or relived.
Andrew Falconer Now there are more unit trains and they often do not have any place for people to ride. Many trains only stop at railyards that are heavily watched.
Now there are more unit trains and they often do not have any place for people to ride.
Many trains only stop at railyards that are heavily watched.
Good points. Fewer rider-freindly car types; longer, fewer trains, that dont have to stop for meets/water/coal every other station, many fewer start/finish points.
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
CatFoodFlambe My thought the underlying nature of today's "off the record" traveler is a bit more sinister than it was, say, fifty years ago.
My thought the underlying nature of today's "off the record" traveler is a bit more sinister than it was, say, fifty years ago.
I'm not sure the riders of old were any less sinister, with the possible exception of those who were simply down on their luck and looking to get somewhere where they might find a job.
I would opine that there are two main classes of "travellers" these days - those who wish to travel off the record, and those who are looking for a free ride/adventure.
It's been mentioned here before that occasionally when the two meet the results aren't pretty.
Larry 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...
Paul_D_North_Jr Would society tolerate people trying to ride in or underneath dump trucks or van trailers, on flat trailers or tank trailers, or other highway trucks ? Would society tolerate people trying to hide to ride in or on ferries, barges, ships, or other large craft ? Would society tolerate people trying to hide to ride in or on any kind of passenger or freight airplanes ? How about your personal car, RV, boat trailer, camper, etc. ? - Paul North.
Would society tolerate people trying to ride in or underneath dump trucks or van trailers, on flat trailers or tank trailers, or other highway trucks ?
Would society tolerate people trying to hide to ride in or on ferries, barges, ships, or other large craft ?
Would society tolerate people trying to hide to ride in or on any kind of passenger or freight airplanes ?
How about your personal car, RV, boat trailer, camper, etc. ?
- Paul North.
Paul_D_North_JrWould society tolerate
As we used to say out on the road, "screw society".
In the early 80s train crews allowed me to ride with them on the locomotive.. no one ever said no although the yard master or who ever was in charge made me sign a waiver. In those days all one had to do was ask... no need to ride illegally on boxcars, and some of the crews were more than happy for the added company. Not only that.. they always bought me lunch or supper at the other end and wouldn't hear of me paying for theirs.. great people and perhaps more innocent times.
Gee, I don't know why railroads would be intolerant of people riding trains.
http://www.ktiv.com/story/29539550/2015/07/13/death-investigation-underway-after-man-falls-from-a-train-in-northwest-iowa
Jeff
When I rode back in the late 70's and early 80's, nobody bothered you. If you didn't break into boxcars or truck trailers, stayed out of sight and basically didn't act the fool the railroad police would leave you alone. I actually had railroad employees help me find an empty boxcar, or direct me to a train going in the right direction. I recall walking into the yard office in Klamath Falls, Oregon, asking about the next train to California, the guy didn't hesitate, pointed me to the correct train. Talk about service! The friendly SP! I think railroads now have a zero tolerance to train riders.
Trains on my territory are stopped about weekly to have trespassing riders removed from trains.
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The last number of times I have been train watching the one thing that occurs to me is that it has been a number of years since I have seen any illegal riders.
Years ago I spent much time along the upper Mississippi River and seeing riders was common, even on pig trains. I saw people huddled in among the semi-trailer tires trying to stay out of the rain.
Has railroad security countrywide cracked down to the point where people do not even try to get into yards and ride anymore?
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