How hard would it be to live on trains and travel the USA?

Question

I want to live on trains as they pass through towns and just jump on another train, but how hard would it be to live like this?

Answer 1

It differs from property to property, insofar as the ramifications for getting caught trespassing.  Union Pacific has a "0" tolerance program.  If you get caught, you go to jail and then you get prosecuted.  This is especially true if caught in a major rail yard.  It is a very short hop from trespass to burglary.

There is no romance riding the rails any longer.  There are very few true hobos left.  Most all a traveler will come across is ne'er do wells on the lam from the law, or, worst case scenario, a member of the aforementioned FTRA (Freight Train Riders of America).  These folks will be happy to slit your throat for any water you may be carrying with you...

The problem is much more compounded when considering all the possibilities concerning, death, dismemberment or other permanent or serious injury.

But, you can capture the flavor of the experience from right in the comfort of your own home and security of your own property:

1.  Stop bathing and shaving and brushing your teeth.

2.  Don't wash your clothes.

3.  Find some grease, oil and crater and roll in it.

4.  Eat only cold food, straight out of the can.

5.  If it's hot, turn off the AC.  If it's cold, turn off the heat (No, wait.  Better to chop all the power with the main breaker, now that I think of it.  Turn off your water, too, now that it is not needed.)

6.  Build a steel box to sit in.  Make sure it gets plenty of direct sunlight.

7.  Throw a handful of sand in your face at regular intervals.  

8.  Stand in the rain often (don't forget to immediately re-apply sand).

That ought'a do it.

Sure sounds like fun to me...

Answer 2

It's impossible, now, because of improved law enforcement.  You would be caught almost immediately, and if you tried again, you would be caught again.  Under today's legal system, after the third arrest, you would go to prison for a long time, like 20 years.

So forget it.

Answer 3

Depends on how long you want to do it for, where you want to go and how much money you have.

Answer 4

Very difficult.

But it can be done, there are still old timey hobos.

It is not as safe as it once was but they are out there, I see them traveling.

The law is not a big deal, (at least around here) if caught usually they just take you to a homeless shelter for a hot meal for the night and send you on your way.

Might be a good idea to get a partner to travel with, someone to watch your back and help.

It' a lonely life and not very safe, there is a different class of riders out there, google FTRA for a bit of information. We hear of dead bodies turning up along the tracks every once in awhile, rumors are that some big time gangs use freight trains for some of their drug movements, pretty hard to keep tabs on them that way.

It's probably better than hitchhiking but neither one is much of a life, you can do better for yourself.