Riding a frieght train from Toronto to Muskoka?

Question

I want to hop on a shipping/freight train but i'm having trouble finding route info, anyone no where I can get some shipping route time tables... the cn website sucks unless you're a registered customer

Answer 1

That's hoboing. And it's illegal in Canada just as it is here in the US of A.

Answer 2

Hmm, yes I would imagine the website DOES suck for people wanting to hitch a free ride. The problem is that most hobos dont have laptop computers so there simply isnt much demand for that information to be included in their website. You do realize it is extremely dangerous dont you?? Not just from the railroad equipment, there is a different class of hobos out there than when i started RR'ing 35 years ago, lots of very violent people, not just the people looking for the next handout or a ride to the next harvest for a few weeks work. Dont do it dude, not smart.

Answer 3

I'm definitely not going to help you with this. Remember that if you're injured or killed on your journey, the railroad is in no way responsible.

Answer 4

Riding on a freight train is illegal. It is considered trespassing on railroad property, and would make you subject to arrest by the railroad's police agency.

Answer 5

you're a fool

Answer 6

No body rides my train! Who do you think you are? A #1? ha! I don't think so!

Answer 7

You're obviously getting enough admonishment from others but, I'd like to put a more technical analysis on your proposed activity.

A number of years ago there was a website that I wish was still around.  It was about train hopping and the dangers of what happens when riders tangle with rail equipment.  Among it's content were two photos taken by EMS workers.  One showed the dead body of a younger male (mid-20's) with a massive gash to the head.  The other photo showed a body and head, severed with rail between them.  These were not illustrations, art, or computer graphics.  These were the real thing.  

Consider the following.  a rail car loaded to 200,000 pounds (100 tons) and it's weight spread out over 8 wheels at 12.5 tons a piece.  At this weight, any part of your body between the wheel and the rail will not just break, it will be crushed and cut.

Unfortunatly, the website has been offline for some time and I can't seem to find the photos elsewhere.  Unfortunate also is the fact that photos like this are not displayed more often to "train hoppers" and "joy ride juveniles" who think that freight trains are a free ticket somewhere.  Our society has become too sanitized and politically correct and those who contemplate their future "freight hopping" activities may never conjure up the images of themselves after their involvement with railroad equipment.  In my opinion, all "train hoppers" who are caught should have to view these photos and one video in particular of a train hitting a woman who was impatient.

You must also consider your actions and what the effect may be on a train crew that has to endure the trauma and devastation from knowing they were in control of a train that seriously injured or more likely killed someone.  Some auto-train fatalities have left some crews so mentally traumatized that they have quit their railroad careers.  Even the toughest, most thick skinned engineers usually need counseling after their trains have killed someone, perhaps a family at a railroad crossing.  This can even effect the family of the crew and may cause divorce, severe depression, and in some rare cases suicide attempts.

Also consider the consequences of becoming trapped, or injured on a train with no one to help you and dying inside a boxcar or bleeding to death on the end of car.  Not a nice way to go.  

Should the train have an accident, and you're caught; you could stand a good chance of being charged with causing the accident and should you be on a train that has hazardous materials that injure or cause death to others, you could be looking at a very long time in prison.  You could also end up being injured in the accident and have to pay big medical bills along with being in prison, possibly for life.

Also consider the danger from others who might be riding with nefarious intentions at best.  These people are not your friends and may try to assault, rob, rape or even kill you.

In short, find another way to get to where you need to go.  Find a passenger railroad and pay your fare like the rest of us.

Trains don't stop on a dime and can't swerve to miss something.  Think about your actions and what they may mean to others.

Answer 8

get a compass you do not need shipping log books

Answer 9

You'd be better off consulting a car ride share board or local hostel bulletin board.

Hoppin' a freight train is a good way to get hurt, killed, or plucked like a chicken. But if you're into that, be my guest.



We'll all just think of your impending demise as evolution in action.

Answer 10

Why would you even want to do this.!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!This is why information on routes is kept a secret.!!!!!!!!!!!!!TO GET PEOPLE OFF OUR TRAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 11

theres a reson theres no info... to keep people like you off our trains... your a douche... call amtrak or greyhound

Answer 12

Back in the day (read Grapes of Wrath) the Railroad Companies kept agents outside of Railroad yards, and their specialty was to work over hobos or any other riders of the freight lines.  The work over was done with clubs and boots.  They had no moral scruples about beating riders to a pulp and leaving them badly beaten, and the police took no action.