Do hitch hikers have to jump off the train and hide while it is going into a station?

Question

I have read about large hitch hikers camps out west and was wondering if the engineers/conductors ever walk the length of the train to make sure there are not hitch hikers on board? Can you get in trouble for walking on the gravel beside the tracks?

Answer 1

In order of your questions:  

Riders usually do not get off the train until they are ready to leave the train.  Jumping before a station wouldn't matter-- leading into the next questions.  Oh and I would say Hoppers are the worst idea to get into, I've heard a story where they only found the bones of a person who got trapped in one.  Not endorsing riding but empty gondola freight cars would be the best place to hide.

Engineers operate the train, thats basically it.  Conductors do the ground work and paper administration.  And the conductor checks the train in accordance with their list of cars, based on letters/numbers by the AAR. Conductors do not check for bums(they respect their space and conductors will respect their space.)  However, if a rider/bum is spotted, they are called into Dispatch and handled accordingly.  Some times the train police will handle it and/or the local authorities will get the person(s).  The strict Homeland Security act comes in play nowadays.

You would be warned with a whistle(horn) to ensure you're a safe distance from the train and tracks.  Again, the local authorities may get involved.  Too many people get ran over to take risks.

Hope this helps..

Answer 2

Not so much any more.  It never was safe and now its only more dangerous.  Fewer people do it, but yes the crew may search for you.  It is trespassing.  As long as you don't do something destructive a number of engineers might leave you alone.

Answer 3

If somebody calls in and reports that there is a "rider" on your train, then yes the train will stop and the conductor will walk the entire length of the train to see if he can find them. And to answer your question, the gravel the track lies on is railroad property, so yes you could get charged with trespassing if the cop or railroad official felt like being a prick.

Answer 4

Due to new Homeland Security rule, rail employee are to report strange people around the tracks & trains.

They are lots of places that you can hide, best place is in a empty hopper.