Attn Railroad Workers...?

Question

Are there still hobo's riding the rails these days? What do the railroad cops do when they catch someone (assuming they are just riding, not vandalizing or steeling).

Answer 1

Some folks riding the rails are pretty sketchy folks, often on the lam.  The true hobos are there, but they are far and few between.  Others are just trying to get from one place to another and are pretty benign.

I know Union Pacific has a "0 tolerance" policy with regard to trespassing, vandal or not.  If caught, you will be arrested.  If arrested, you will be prosecuted.  This is one thing that the UP does right.

Answer 2

Yes, we do see hobos. They are seasonal. Once we see them we have to report it. The local police get involved at that point.

Answer 3

Yes there are still Hobos riding the rail. Im in a remote yard and I was told if I see one to call the local police. If you do that they are arrested for trespassing on railroad property. I see on average 2-4 a month, more in the summer. I have never called the police as every one Ive met was very respectful and fun to talk to. Wanna hear a good story talk to a hobo.....

Answer 4

I am an engineer in Minnesota. Back when I was a switchman (assembling trains in a large switching yard), I'd see quite a few of them. But only in the summer. They were always respectful, because they knew they were trespassing. They only wanted info on what train was going where, and when. A couple times, guys got caught in the first cold snap in MN in the fall. They would be camping near the tracks someplace in each case. I would tell them where the cabooses were stored, and they could stay in one for the night, light the stove, BUT, leave it the way you found it. And they always did. Some were real characters. Others seemed to be just two or three friends with vacation time and chose to ride trains. And some seemed to have no other ambition than to remain secluded from society and ride the rails. But no matter who they were, not once did any of 'em ask for anything other than information.

Answer 5

Yes, still hobos, still homeless people...

While working as a yard electrician for Union Pacific, i was detained for being a hobo.  (maybe I should have dress better when working on the locomotives).  After proving to the railroad cop that I actually worked there, I asked what would have happened if I couldn't.  The officer said he would have confiscated the UP radio i had and would have escorted me off of their property. Anything else was pointless with the homeless.  NO money to pay fines and no space in jails to keep them.

Biggest thing I seen the homeless people doing with the trains was getting into the locomotives and stealing the fusees (flares), they make great fire starters to keep warm.