I need information on train hopping for a book?

Question

In the book I am writing the main character, meets his estranged daughter while hopping a train to another city (in America). How would he go about boarding the train? What would the conditions inside be like? His daughter explains how her traveling companion was killed in an accident while hopping a different train. What kind of accidents occur on freight trains?

Answer 1

Hey Phyl. The ways to be killed by a train are obvious when messin' around with several thousand tons that's moving. It's always the unexpected and sudden action that crushes, or causes a fall.

Also, for reference, there's no way a human can successfully get on or off a train moving more than 12 mph. Trying to get on, if one can maintain a grasp, you get dragged. Getting off you fold up and go down like a cheap lawn chair.

Many Hobos used to ride in the end portion of a car classified as a "C-6". It is a covered hopper with a small enclosed void on the ends at frame level. Some C-6s have a weight saving hole cut out revealing this small triangular cavity, just large enough to sit in, accessible from the end of the car. This kept them out of the wind and out of sight. But any time it's cool outside, this space is cold since it is all steel, surrounded by steel.

And there is absolutely no way to stay clean or presentable on a freight train. Railroaders always wear gloves, and touch things only with boots and gloves. The paint shows well on train cars, but they are very dirty. Having picked up dirt and grit from every corner of the nation. Anytime you have to sit down, crawl, or contact any part of the train, you are dirty.

And an FYI. There really aren't very many hobos anymore. With increased security in the U.S. now, it's just not tolerated like it used to be. And I think also, it was an era that on it's own, came to an end in the 1990s.

Anyway, good luck with your writing project.