freight hopping
Robert Bowdidge
>Do any of you guys hop freght trains? Im looking for practical info,
>east coast or to points west.
[So, Matthew... want to put this in the FAQ? :-]
Short answer: don't do it. Railroads have changed a lot from the '30's
and the scenes of Okies hopping freights into California, looking for
jobs. Trains are longer, faster, and have fewer places for hoboes
to ride. When you're not in danger from the equipment, you're
in danger from your fellow passengers.
Required reading:If you really want to find out what it's like, here's
two readings:
Rolling Nowhere by Ted Conover, Penguin Travel Library, 1985.
Student from small eastern liberal arts college spends a quarter "riding
the rails." The book gives a very good description of the dangers
of trying to hop freights, from freezing to death on the exposed frame
of a hopper car to running into hoboes who'd knife you for your shoes.
Boomer: Railrad Memoirs by Linda Niemann, Clevis Press 1992 (or
University of California Press, 1990) Ph.D. student gets her degree,
can't find a job. Finally gets work as a brakeman on the Southern
Pacific. Includes a pretty good description of the dangers of
railroading from the employee's standpoint, especially when you're
working near the chemical plants near Houston. Wonderful!
Read these books before you even try hopping a freight. If they
don't dissuade you, they'll at least tell you what to watch out
for.
Robert
dmu...@hamp.hampshire.edu
Ron Newman
>east coast or to points west.
We need a FAQ.
--
Ron Newman MIT Media Laboratory
rne...@media.mit.edu
P.J. Hinton
> Do any of you guys hop freght trains? Im looking for practical info, east coast
> or to points west.
[Flame Thrower Activated]
I'm so sick and tired of seeing these postings, I am reposting a rather well-
written commentary regarding hopping freights. This was originally posted
on March 3, 1994 by David Soderblom, and I hope he doesn't mind the message
being resurrected from my archives. It's for a good purpose.
-------------------------------Begin Included Text-------------------------------
Article: 33219 of rec.railroad
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: d...@stsci.edu (David Soderblom)
Subject: Standard reply on hopping freight trains
Message-ID: <1994Mar3.1...@stsci.edu>
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 94 09:47:15 EST
This is in response to (yet another) recent posting about how to hop
rides on freight trains. I offer it in the hopes of reducing the usual
bandwidth that ensues.
This newsgroup regularly sees someone posting a note asking all about
learning the ropes to ride freight trains, as though we were keeping some
valuable information to ourselves.
The usual short response is to point out to them -- often in pungent terms
-- that what they want to do is illegal and very dangerous. Attempting to
ride freight trains _is_ against the law and _is_ extremely dangerous and
those pointing it out are not merely acting grandmotherly. In the hope
of explaining why I offer the following. Corrections and additions are
welcome, of course.
Hoboes by this time have been romanticized nearly beyond recognition.
What we might think of as the golden age of riding freights was the 1920s
and 30s. Doing so even then was uncomfortable at best and perilous all
too often. Getting on or off even a slowly moving train without injury
to yourself is not as easy as you might think it ought to be, especially
because you need to reach up to grabs and steps that are well off the
ground. It bears no resemblance to boarding a passenger train that has
just started to leave the depot.
Railroads now operate very differently than they did then, and a
comparison might help to understand why freights are to be avoided.
Speed:
Fifty years ago or more freight trains often traveled as slowly
as 15 to 25 mph, depending on where they were. Railroads pretty much
had a monopoly on freight transportation and had little incentive to
change the way they'd always done it, which was to move the freight slow
and easy down the line. There were exceptions, of course.
Today passenger trains have lost speed compared to those "good old
days" but a major reason is that the track has been designed and built to
haul freight at high speed. Fifty to sixty mph is typical except for
short periods of time near terminals.
Stops:
In the old days a freight train would stop often to take on water
for the steam locomotive and to change crews because of restrictive
labor rules. Also, there were more instances of direct carload deliveries
to lineside industries (by local freights). The water stops especially
were hobo hangouts.
A major goal of current operating practice is to minimize stops
because every time you stop you throw away hard-earned (and expensive)
time gained by speed increases. Labor rules have changed significantly,
allowing more hours at higher speeds, and careful planning allows trains
to meet and pass each other without stopping, even on single-track lines.
Don't count on the train stopping or even slowing down at a place you're
interested in.
Equipment:
The freight train of yore was heavily dominated by the boxcar.
Often the doors of boxcars were left open or ajar when they were empty,
leaving a natural and relatively protected place to get into for your
ride. Getting into a moving car was not easy though. If no such cars
were available, a hobo might "ride the rods," which meant crawling
underneath the car in the area between the car floor and the truss rods.
Truss rods were stiffeners used on pre-1920 equipment with wooden
underframes. I won't go into details here, but one would have needed
some boards to lay across the rods to do this (equipment of this type
and vintage can sometimes be found in railroad museums). Even then you
were right down next to the rails getting wind and dirt and dust kicked
up by the motion of the train. Box cars, even if one with an open door
was available, could also pose problems, particularly if the previous
load was powdery (e.g., flour or fertilizer) or disagreeable (e.g.,
untanned hides). You might not find out until you were in the car and
the train was picking up speed, leaving you with stinging eyes for
hours.
The box car has nearly disappeared from railroad service,
supplanted by containers and piggyback. Those few that remain are
nearly all "plug-door," which means that the doors must be closed and
sealed before the car is moved. Can't ride those. Piggyback trailers
are notorious for shifting and you're out in the wind. Gondolas may
be the worst because they are tempting (you can hide, sort of, behind
their low sides) but their cargoes are often loosely loaded and there
are constant reports of railroad people finding squished dead bodies
in them.
Another factor to be aware of is that modern freight cars have
many fewer hand grabs and steps than cars used to. This is by design
so that freight crews aren't tempted to try to get to the top of a
car or to take other unnecessary risks. You will no longer, for example,
see anyone who works for the railroad riding the step of a moving
freight car like you would in a video of an older freight yard.
The social environment
Hoboing was tolerated at some level in the past at least as a
means for seasonal labor to move itself. But many railroads and the cops
that worked for them were downright brutal in the way that trespassers
were treated. And hoboes were not always so nice to each other, despite
the romantization. We're not talking about the upper stratum of society
here, and you could forget about a Miranda warning.
Whatever the ethics involved, any corporation today can be
expected to be very concerned about liability and to take the steps
needed to limit its exposure. Moreover, the isolated nature of freight
yards makes them subject to theft. You might not notice them (they may
not want you to), but railroad police are definitely out there and
keeping an eye on things.
Summary:
1. Where are you going to ride? There are no safe places to sit
on a modern train.
2. Where are you going to get on or off? Modern trains stop at
few places, and I can guarantee they're watched.
3. How are you going to get on or off? It's not easy and one
slip and you're gone.
4. Why bother? Personal transportation is as cheap as it's ever
been. Ride Amtrak if you need the sound of steel on
steel.
David Soderblom
Space Telescope Science Institute
Baltimore MD
sode...@stsci.edu These are purely personal opinions, of course.
---------------------------End Included Text-------------------------------------
[Flame Thrower Deactivated]
P.J. Hinton
Graduate Student--University of Notre Dame Chemical Engineering Department
INTERNET: P.J.H...@nd.edu
Robert Turnbull
>or to points west.
>
"Hopping Freight Trains in America"
by Duffy Littlejohn
1993, Sand River Press, Los Osos, CA
ISBM 0-944627-34-x
It can be ordered for $13.95 plus $1.95 shipping from
Sand River Press
1319 14th St.
Los Osos, CA 93402
Bob Turnbull
Eddie Van Huffel
> Do any of you guys hop freght trains? Im looking for practical info, east coa
> or to points west.
>
I cannot give much advice on train hopping, but I can tell you how we
embalm those who have tried and failed...
--
ed...@railnet.nshore.org (Eddie Van Huffel)
Railnet BBS +1 216 786 0476
Robert Coe
>Do any of you guys hop freght trains? Im looking for practical info,
>east coast or to points west.
Rather than indulging in our usual preaching and degenerating into our
customary "more outraged than thou" semi-flame war, let's just ignore
The Question this time!
--
___ _ - Bob
/__) _ / / ) _ _
(_/__) (_)_(_) (___(_)_(/_____________________________________ b...@1776.COM
Robert K. Coe * 14 Churchill St, Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776 * 508-443-3265
Richard Hyde
: I cannot give much advice on train hopping, but I can tell you how we
: embalm those who have tried and failed...
Please do! Do you, like, use an air pump to un-flatten 'em??
Or is it easier to squish 'em between two pieces of blotter paper like
in a leaf press? Might make a great wall hanging!
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Richard Hyde | R...@netcom.com | This space intentionally left blank |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Hunter
In a previous article, r...@netcom.com (Richard Hyde) says:
>Eddie Van Huffel (ed...@railnet.nshore.org) wrote:
>
>: I cannot give much advice on train hopping, but I can tell you how we
>: embalm those who have tried and failed...
>
>Please do! Do you, like, use an air pump to un-flatten 'em??
>
>Or is it easier to squish 'em between two pieces of blotter paper like
>in a leaf press? Might make a great wall hanging!
We use a needle and fine rope to sew the guy back together after
he's been cut in two by a wheel.
--
regards,
Charlie
ac...@freenet.carleton.ca
Richard A. Schumacher
of one of my high school teachers tried it and was killed
by a shifting load before he got a hundred miles.
Roger Cole
12000 volt overhead catenary. A former University of Delaware student
was critically burned and his brother (a present student) was injured
when they climbed on a moving freight train and struck the overhead
high-tension line. A third individual also hopped the train but
managed to get off without injury.
Last November, near the same spot, another individual was instantly
killed when he contacted the catenary after hopping a slow-moving
freight. He fell in between two boxcars and became caught on the
brake rigging and was dragged for a mile or so.
Robert Bowdidge
In article <2qarie$i...@net.usuhs.mil>, d...@net.usuhs.mil (D. Y.) writes:
|> Hmm. How hard are railroads on letting you ride in the cab with the
|> crew? At least you won't have to worry about getting exposed to the
|> elements, crushed by shifting loads, getting run over, or (assuming
|> you arranged things through proper channels) getting arrested.
I assume that the railroads are very much against passengers, whether
railfans or hoboes, riding in the locomotive cabs. If for no other
reason, there's a lot more people in locomotive cabs these days now that
there's no caboose. :-) Liability risks would certainly encourage
railroads not to allow railfans.
However, both of the books I mentioned in my posting (Rolling Nowhere
and Boomer) have scenes where railroad employees find hoboes sleeping in
the cabs of trailing units in a multi-engine consist. The
benefit for the hoboes is that the cabs are heated. Unfortunately, it's
probably easier for the Railroad Police to catch 'em.
Of course, in Boomer, the employee was a little freaked when she found
"a whole bunch of guys" in one of the cabs. Running into hoboes
when you're in the middle of nowhere on a cold night probably isn't
a lot of fun.
Robert
bowd...@cs.ucsd.edu
D. Y.
Robert Bowdidge <bowd...@cs.ucsd.edu> wrote:
>Short answer: don't do it. Railroads have changed a lot from the '30's
>and the scenes of Okies hopping freights into California, looking for
>jobs. Trains are longer, faster, and have fewer places for hoboes
>to ride. When you're not in danger from the equipment, you're
>in danger from your fellow passengers.
>don't dissuade you, they'll at least tell you what to watch out
>for.
Hmm. How hard are railroads on letting you ride in the cab with the
crew? At least you won't have to worry about getting exposed to the
elements, crushed by shifting loads, getting run over, or (assuming
you arranged things through proper channels) getting arrested. Back
in the early 70's when I was little, they gave me and my dad a ride on
a diesel switcher, over in the yards by Union Station (in Wash D.C.)
-- but that was in the days before the District of Columbia became
Dodge City. I'm not sure that going to that area to-day with a kid
is a good idea.
DY :-)
--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
D M Yoshikami :-) ;-) :-) | Internet: yosh...@usuhsb.usuhs.mil
+1 (301) 295-3304 | Bitnet : yosh...@usuhsb.bitnet
Yetra modam, Seeyonem ganum ende atmaven anandamay
Miriam Organic
Evan Werkema
>Did not know railroads were atp to just give "free rides" in cabs.
Time was, back in the 1960's, if you bought a ticket on the D&RGW's Yampa
Valley Mail (Denver-Craig, CO) you could go into the D&RGW office in Denver
and get an official "cab pass" to ride in the cab of the PA1. My dad did
this on a couple of occasions...much more fun than riding in the smelly
old coach. Of course, at that time you could also get a pass that let you
walk around Burnham shops by yourself too...but that was before the people
realized they could be irresponsible and still have the railroad pay the
cost if they got hurt. Nowdays, except for special events (letting people
tour the cab of an engine as part of a display), the railroads themselves
would probably never give you permission to even touch a locomotive.
...not that cab-rides don't still happen if you're lucky enough to find a
friendly crew. But official rides don't.
-- ____________________ _______________
__________ .. _______ I EVERGREEN I I MAERSK
___/ooI= = ===~~~~~~``~======I _I------------------I_ _I--------------
I_I~ I---____Santa Fe__=_=_=I_I __I \----------------/ I__I \-------------
`-'O==O==O~============~O==O==O`-'~`o==o~----------------~o==o~--------------
--Evan Werkem...@po.cwru.edu--"Ship and Travel Santa Fe...All the Way!"--
For No One
perogative. You do-gooders should go to the AARP board where you belong.
-Benevit, Carl A.
For No One <forn...@aol.com> wrote:
>This is stupid! If people want to hop freights, let them. It is their
>perogative. You do-gooders should go to the AARP board where you belong.
No smiley, so...
If those expounding sound advice on train hopping are do-gooders then you
who say go ahead must be a do-badder. The original poster is contemplating
an act of do-baddership but asked advice on its legality. This shows
consideration of moral principles and also, perhaps, common sense. The
advice already posted indicates a definite course of action based on
MANY publicized accounts of lost limbs and death-by-dismemberment. Kids
try this all the time and limbs and lives are lost as a result. Kids
however and notably deficient in regards to common sense but chances are
they have not asked the question on the net. Let the original poster
remember that the force that flattens a penny to a pancake can do worse
to legs and a human torso and consider a future in either a wheelchair
or a casket.
"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction
gains understanding." Proverbs 15:31,32
____________________________________________________________________________
Opinions and commentary are personal and not those of AT&T and subsidiaries.
____________________________________________________________________________
Carl Benevit - att!aluxpo!cab - 215-770-2379
AT&T Bell Laboratories 1247 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18103
|
...be ready... ---|--- ACTS
| 1:11
|
____________________________________________________________________________
Marcus L. Endicott
>>east coast or to points west.
>
Conference by the co-host <m...@well.sf.ca.us>. The WELL can be reached via
telnet at well.sf.ca.us . Excerpts from the book, VAGABOND GLOBETROTTING:
STATE OF THE ART, are copyright (c) 1989 by the author M.L. Endicott.
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 5: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Thu Mar 26 92(05:28)
FREIGHTHOPPING
Hopping freight trains is a venerable North American tradition, though illicit
and hazardous. Old-time hoboes gather every year in Britt, Iowa, for the
National Hobo Convention of Tourist Union No. 63, held there since 1900,
usually on the first Saturday in August. Details are available with a self-
addressed stamped envelope from the Britt Chamber of Commerce (Britt, IA
50423.) Britt is about 30 miles west of Mason City, Iowa.
A detailed how-to book, THE FREIGHTHOPPER'S MANUAL FOR NORTH AMERICA
(London: Travelaid Publishing, 1981.) is available from its author, Daniel
Leen (POB 191, Seattle, WA 98111), for $7.45 postpaid. Freighthoppers can
find maps in the HANDY RAILROAD ATLAS OF THE UNITED STATES (Chicago, IL: Rand
McNally & Company, 1978). Schedules can be found in the OFFICIAL RAILWAY
GUIDE: NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT SERVICE EDITION, revised every two months;
single copies are $27 postpaid from the National Railway Publishing Company
(424 West 33rd Street, New York 10001; 212-563-7300.) Ask for them at major
libraries.
A handheld 10 channel programmable radio scanner can be used to monitor
activities in the yards and on the trains. For instance, you can find out if
the railroad police special agents, called "bulls," are looking for you and
how the weather will be. The Realistic Pro-38, from Radio Shack, is a good
model, as is the Uniden Bearcat 50XL. The COMPENDIUM OF AMERICAN RAILROAD
RADIO FREQUENCIES, compiled by Gary L. Sturm and Mark J. Landgraf, is
available from Mark J. Landgraf (3 Coralberry Circle, Albany, NY 12203) for $9
postpaid. (A hardhat and clipboard can also help get you through tightly
controlled, called "hot," yards.)
Intermodal trains, known as "hot-shots," west of the Mississippi river,
offer the best rides. Catch them at division points, where they stop to
change crews. I have found that division points often correspond with the
station stops on Amtrak maps.
Riding freight trains is extremely grimy. Modern hoboes wear overalls,
stocking hat, and work gloves just to try to stay relatively clean. Many wear
the traditional red bandanna, tied around the neck. Carry a pair of thermal
long underwear even in the summer. Commonly available items such as a wool
blanket and big sheet of plastic are often used. With the plastic toward the
outside, they can be folded and rolled to form a "bindle," or swag, which can
be tied around each end with a single piece of cord to form an effective
shoulder strap. Miscellaneous possessions can be rolled up inside it for
convenient carrying. This traditional method eliminates the need for a heavy
backpack, which can be dangerous. I also recommend double-tying your shoe
laces. Traditional hoboes use their belts to lash their bodies to trains when
necessary. Modern hoboes might consider the use of two common mountaineering
carabiniers and a few meters of what is called nylon webbing, for tieing a
simple Swiss seat harness.
One liter (quart) water bottle will usually not be enough. Hoboes
commonly carry a one gallon, thick plastic vinegar or bleach jug; the ones for
milk are to flimsy to last long. A cord can be strung through the jug's
handle for easy carrying over the shoulder. Fill it with only as much water
as you think you will need. For food, the one bag meal is handy. A bag of
gorp can easily be assembled from any supermarket. My cross-country gorp
consists of good old raisins and peanuts (g.o.r.p.), as well as shredded
coconut. Also, soynuts, roasted soybeans, from most health food stores add a
lot of nutritional value. Several small bags (1/2 lb.) are more convenient to
use than one large one. I shovel my gorp with a spoon, on the six meal a day
plan. Add to this a few pieces of fruit and daily multi-vitamins, and you're
set.
At one time hoboes used a well-developed sign language to communicate
among themselves. Today hoboes use a contractor's crayon, from hardware
stores, for graffiti.
Canada offers splendid freighthopping. It is also possible to ride across
Australia, between Port Pirie and Kalgoorlie, just be prepared for the
Nullarbor Plain.
The National Hobo Association publishes HOBO TIMES, a bimonthly newsletter
on recreational hoboing for hobo hobbyists. Subscription and membership cost
$18 per year. A sample copy is available for $2 postpaid.
National Hobo Association
World Way Center
Box 90430
Los Angeles, CA 90009
213-645-1500
******************************************************************************
Excerpted from the how-to book VAGABOND GLOBETROTTING: STATE OF THE ART,
Revised Edition, 1989, by M.L. Endicott, available for US$ 8.95 each postpaid
from Enchiridion International, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723-2589 USA.
******************************************************************************
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 6: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Thu Mar 26 92(07:12)
- Freighthopping -
Conover, Ted. ROLLING NOWHERE: A YOUNG MAN'S ADVENTURES RIDING
THE RAILS WITH AMERICA'S HOBOES. New York: Penguin Books,
1984.
- An anthropologist's adventures riding sixty-five freight
trains, 12,000 miles, in fifteen US states.
Graham, Maury "Steam Train". PATCHES: ABOUT BRITT, IOWA AND ITS
HOBOES. Toledo, OH: Graham, 1985.
- A brief description of the National Hobo Convention and
some of the principal attenders by the Hobo King of the
East for Life.
Graham, Maury "Steam Train". A HISTORY OF THE HOBOES, TRAMPS,
AND OTHER VAGABONDS. Toledo, OH: Graham, 1985.
- An interesting discussion, defining and differentiating
hoboes, tramps, transients, hitchhikers, bums, boomers,
gypsies, winos, and rubber vagabonds, also contains his
other book, PATCHES.
Harper, Douglas A. GOOD COMPANY. Chicago, IL: University of
Chicago Press, 1982.
- A sociologist's account of a trip across the US by freight
train.
Hopkins, Bobb. HOBO TRAVEL GUIDE. Los Angeles, CA: National
Hobo Association, 1988.
- A good introduction to freighthopping.
Keeley, Steve, ed. HOBO LIFE IN AMERICA: TRAINING MANUAL.
Lansing, MI: Lansing Community College, 1986.
- Instructional text on the tradition of riding freight
trains.
* Leen, Daniel. THE FREIGHTHOPPER'S MANUAL FOR NORTH AMERICA:
HOBOING IN THE 1980s. London: Travelaid, 1981.
- An important how-to guide for riding freight trains. Mathers, Michael.
RIDING THE RAILS. Boston, MA: Houghton
Mifflin, 1973.
- A photographic essay about contemporary hobo life.
Wilcox, Finn. HERE AMONG THE SACRIFICED. Port Townsend, WA:
Empty Bowl, 1984.
- A literary and photographic journey by freight train from
Seattle to L.A.
******************************************************************************
Excerpted from the how-to book VAGABOND GLOBETROTTING: STATE OF THE ART,
Revised Edition, 1989, by M.L. Endicott, available for US$ 8.95 each postpaid
from Enchiridion International, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723-2589 USA.
******************************************************************************
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 11: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Sat Dec 19 92(12:35)
<hidden>
Bill Bailey Came Home. As a Farm Boy, As a Stowaway at the Age of
Nine, a Trapper at the Age of Fifteen & a Hobo at the Age of Sixteen.
FREDERICK HOBO'S ADVENTURE.
PANIC OF 1893. A TIME OF STRIKES, RIOTS, HOBO CAMPS, COXEY'S ARMY,
STARVATION, WITHERING DROUGHTS & FEARS OF REVOLUTION.
THE WAVELAND HOBO.
HOBO SIGNS.
MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE HOBO IN THE THIRTIES.
HOBO.
HOBO TOAD & THE MOTORCYCLE GANG.
DATE BOOK, ALMANAC & AUTHENTIC CALENDAR OF SAINTS, HOBOS, DERVISHES,
DANCERS, LOVERS, COEVOLUTIONARIES, HEALERS, HELPERS, & ORDINARY HOLY
FOOLS, 1977.
THE HOBO. THE SOCIOLOGY OF THE HOMELESS MAN.
HOBOMOK. A TALE OF EARLY TIMES.
MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE HOBO IN THE THIRTIES.
* WHITE COLLAR HOBO. THE TRAVELS OF WHITING WILLIAMS.
* KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD. A HOBO HISTORY.
HOBO ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN.
THE HOBO & THE FAIRY.
FRIENDLY LITTLE HOBO.
HOBOMOK & OTHER WRITINGS ON INDIANS.
JACK LONDON ON THE ROAD. THE TRAMP DIARY & OTHER HOBO WRITINGS.
NO PIE IN THE SKY. THE HOBO AS AMERICAN CULTURAL HERO IN THE WORKS
OF JACK LONDON, JOHN DOS PASSOS, & JACK KEROUAC.
* Tales of an American Hobo.
Summerdog Comes Home. The Previous Adventures of Hobo.
* Tales of the Iron Road. My Life As King of the Hobos.
* The Damndest Radical. The Life & World of Ben Reitman, Chicago's
Celebrated Social Reformer, Hobo King, & Whorehouse Physician.
* Fishbones. Hoboing in the 1930's.
Yankee Hobo in the Orient. Why Japan Was Strong.
The Hobo Woods.
* American Travels of a Dutch Hobo. 1923-1926.
Buddhism & Healing. Demieville's Article "Byo" from Hobogirin.
Hobo from St. Marys.
Hobo over the Hump.
Of Hobos & Rainbows. And Other Prize Winning Stories.
* Hard Travellin'. The Hobo & His History.
How to Carve Hobos.
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 12: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Sat Dec 19 92(12:36)
The previous response contains the edited results of a recent BIP subject
search for "hobo/". Everything containing the name "Hoboken" and duplicate
entries have been deleted. (Presumably, duplicate entries indicate the
existance of both hardcover and paperback editions.) I believe, the most
recent start at the top and descend back in time. NB, just because books
appear on this list does not mean that they are in-print; I believe, once
titles are entered into the system, they stay there and become simply labeled
out-of-print as necessary. Starred titles are ones in my own collection.
To see the previous response type s<topic #> nor nof at the OK prompt and then
o<response #> at the Respond prompt.
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 13: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Mon Feb 1 93(14:23)
**************
* NEWS FLASH *
**************
THE FREIGHTHOPPER'S MANUAL For North America: Hoboing In The 21st Century
by Daniel Leen
(Seattle, Washington: Ecodesigns Northwest Publishers, 1992)
ISBN 0-9632912-7-0
>The underground classic of the '70s, revised and updated for the 21st Century
>
>Every red-blooded American should hop a freight at least once in his life.
[from: front cover]
>"If you ever intend to ride the rods, reading this might save your life or a
>couple of legs or all the sundry agonies. And if you don't intend to ride
>the rods, you better read it anyhow because in this world and in this life
>you never know, we might meet each other in some boxcar coming out of K.C."
> -Charles Bukowski, poet and novelist
>
>Hoboing In The 21st Century: Although many are still hitchhiking, few are
>acquainted with freighthopping. This manual is meant to revive a great North
>American folk tradition.
[from: back cover]
>Because the original FREIGHTHOPPER'S MANUAL deals with concepts , I have
>left the body of the original text unchanged, merely adding some
>philosophical musings and technical updates in this "afterword."
[from: page 95]
>... I believe hoboing will long continue to be a contemporary "poor boy's
>Outward Bound," with the actual movement from one location to another,
>however safe and efficient, usually being the least important part of the
>"school of hard knocks."
[from: page 106]
>Additional copies of this unique book are available for $8.95 (U.S.)
>postpaid from: Daniel Leen, Box 191, Seattle, WA 98111 U.S.A.
[from: inside back cover]
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 14: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Thu Mar 18 93(06:31)
I've recently read the following three excellent books about
hoboes:
Bruns, Roger A. KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD: A HOBO HISTORY. New York:
Methuen, Inc., 1980.
Bruns, Roger A. THE DAMNDEST RADICAL: THE LIFE AND WORLD OF BEN
REITMAN, CHICAGO'S CELEBRATED SOCIAL REFORMER, HOBO KING,
AND WHOREHOUSE PHYSICIAN. Urbana and Chicago: University of
Illinois Press, 1987.
Reitman, Ben L., Dr. (As Told to). BOXCAR BERTHA: AN
AUTOBIOGRAPHY. New York: Amok Press, 1988. (Afterword by
Roger A. Bruns).
Most interestingly, I learned that hoboing began after the War
Between The States with all the displaced veterans, perhaps
suffering psychic traumas not unlike many of today's Vietnam
veterans, coupled with the westward spread of the railroads at
that time. I learned about General Jacob Coxey, who lead the
1893 March on Washington, known as "Coxey's Army," during the
recession of 1893, the "Millionaire Hobo," James Eads How of St.
Louis, who started the International Brotherhood Welfare
Association (IBWA), their local "Hobo Colleges," and HOBO NEWS,
and about Dr. Ben Reitman's extensive, intimate connection with
Emma Goldman, the "Queen of Anarchy," and the early Pro
Child/Choice movement. Perhaps the most interesting part of
BOXCAR BERTHA was the descriptions of her youth spent on a rural
pacifist commune in the Pacific Northwest and of their anti-war
activities during the First World War. These people were neither
violent anarchists or terrorists, nor fascistic totalitarian
communists. These people are our people and must not be
forgotten; their struggle is our struggle.
>James Eads How's paternal grandfather, John How, was mayor of
>St. Louis several times before the Civil War; his father, James
>F. How, was vice-president and general manager of the Wabash
>railroad; his maternal grandfather, James Buchanan Eads, was the
>builder of the Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River at St.
>Louis. Educated at Harvard, Meadville Theological Seminary, and
>the College of Physicians in St. Louis, How became a licensed
>physician but, much to the chagrin of his family, never a
>practicing one. Instead, rebelling against his patrician
>upbringing, How began to live a spartan life-style. He
>furnished his home with only the barest necessities, wore
>threadbare clothes, and adopted a scanty vegetarian diet.
>At some hobo college rallies, military intelligence agents were
>elbowing FBI men trying to get a look at the infamous
>"Millionaire Hobo." Numerous reports to the central offices in
>Washington traced How's movements around the United States and
>in Europe. Although one agent confused the HOBO NEWS with the
>HEBREW NEWS, the investigators did a thorough job of tracing
>their prey and left a detailed record of How's peregrinations.
>Typical of their reports are the following comments: "I searched
>the Howard House used by said How but found only the regular
>socialist pamphlets. . . . How is shabby and ill-kept, looks
>like he needs a bath, and probably does, wears side whiskers
>slightly and gold rim eye-glasses and has an idiotic grin for
>everybody he meets." The agent's conclusion: "This man I
>consider dangerous."
>The National Archives in Washington, D.C., has extensive
>investigative files on Reitman as well as on Emma Goldman,
>Alexander Berkman, James Eads How, and other radicals. These
>are located in Record Group 65, Records of the Federal Bureau of
>Investigation, and Record Group 165, Records of the War
>Department General and Special Staffs, Records of the Office of
>the Director of Intelligence.
>Roger A. Bruns is Director of Publications for the National
>Historical Publications and Records Commission at the National
>Archives in Washington, D.C.
= = =
See also:
Falk, Candice. LOVE, ANARCHY, AND EMMA GOLDMAN. New York: Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, 1984.
McMurry, Donald. COXEY'S ARMY. Seattle: University of
Washington Press, 1968.
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 16: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Fri May 14 93(09:26)
Kenneth Allsop's (1920-73) classic HARD TRAVELLIN' is now back in print!
It was originally sub-titled "The Hobo and His History", but now "The
story of the migrant worker." It has been reissued in Britain by Pimlico
in paperback, 448 pages, for UKP 10, ISBN: 0-7126-5693-6.
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 17: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Mon Nov 15 93(12:54)
HARD TIMES FOR HOBOES
=====================
>The National Hobo Association
>Post Office Box 706
>Nisswa, Minnesota 56468
>Or In California:
>516 Scenic Drive
>Santa Barbara, California 93103
>
>October 21, 1993
>
>Dear Fellow Member,
>
>We regret to inform you that Mr. Garth Bishop, a.k.a. "Captain Cook" has
>relinquished his position as publisher of the HOBO TIMES as well as all
>connection with the National Hobo Association.
>
>With Mr. Bishop's departure his duties have been temporarily assumed by
>Mr. Ed "Buzz" Potter and "Santa Fe Bo", Bob Hopkins. In the coming days,
>Mssrs. Potter and Hopkins will be sorting through the remaining books and
>records of the NHA in an effort to assess the possibility of resuming
>publication of the HOBO TIMES and to continue the function of the
>Association itself.
>
>It appears that there are no remaining funds available in the
>Association's bank accounts so our first project will be to create a new
>source of funding for the near term continuance of the Association's
>activities. We've recently become aware of several members who have not
>received their copies of the HOBO TIMES newsletter or items that were
>ordered from the Association such as T-shirts, books, etc. The records
>seem to be somewhat incomplete and we can't be sure of which members are
>owed merchandise or refunds. We are attempting to satisfy these members
>as they become known to us.
>
>Despite the problems cited above, we remain committed to the principles of
>the National Hobo Association and we'll do anything possible to prevent
>its demise. There are thousands of us across America who have shared the
>high adventure of the open road and thrill to the sights and sounds of the
>midnight freight train. The smell of the campfire and the sound of the
>whistle lives within us and our HOBO TIMES newsletter is the only national
>publication that binds us together as the unique group that we are.
>
>A few good friends of the NHA have offered to provide limited funding
>enabling us to publish at least one more issue of the HOBO TIMES which
>will be out before Christmas of this year. In the meantime, we encourage
>you to continue your membership in the NHA by renewing your membership
>now. The new membership fees will be $15 for one year or $40 for a full
>three year membership. All funds received under this offer will be
>escrowed until year's end when we shall make a final decision whether or
>not to continue the activities of the Association. If insufficient funds
>are received from this solicitation to continue operations, ALL MONIES
>RECEIVED WILL BE RETURNED to the subscribers.
>If we decide to continue and resume regular publication of the HOBO TIMES,
>we can assure the members that all funds of the NHA will be closely
>monitored to prevent our current dilemma from ever repeating itself again.
>We will also satisfy all unfilled orders for merchandise as funds allow.
>
>Once again, we apologize to all our friends for this unfortunate
>disruption in our Association. We ask for your patience and your
>continued financial support to assist us in preserving this one-of-a-kind
>fraternity that is the National Hobo Association and to continue
>publication of the HOBO TIMES.
>
>Please contact us with your complaints and, hopefully, your renewals at
>either of the addresses below:
>
>The National Hobo Association or The National Hobo Association
>Box 706 516 Scenic Drive
>Nisswa, Minnesota 56468 Santa Barbara, California 93103
>
>Keep Your Fire Hot!
>
>The National Hobo Association
>
>Ed C. "Buzz" Potter
>Co-Director
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 21: Marcus L. Endicott (mle) Fri Nov 19 93(05:35)
... the stuff that dreams are made of. You are warm. See response #5 in
this topic. See also "Hoboes from High-Rent Districts" by James Willwerth
in TIME, July 11, 1988; "For Fans of Hobo Life, It's Hardly a Bum Trip" by
Tom Dunkel in INSIGHT, September 23, 1991; and "Weekend Hobos Try to
Recapture A Romantic Past: Beverly Hills 'Bos' Ride Rails Or at Least Talk
About It" by David Jefferson in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, January 28, 1992.
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 22: THE ELECTRONIC TRAVELER (mle) Sat Feb 12 94(17:14)
Two new hobo books available:
=
A BASIC GUIDE TO RAILROAD CREW-CHANGE POINTS AND JUMPING FREIGHT
TRAINS IN NORTH AMERICA, by Paul G. Norton
US$ 11, postpaid
Paul Norton
1038 West Balmoral Avenue #2A
Chicago, Illinois 60640 USA
=
HOPPING FREIGHT TRAINS IN AMERICA, by Douglas "Duffy" Littlejohn
US$ 13.95, postpaid
Duffy Littlejohn
1940 Loomis Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93405 USA
travel conf Topic 276: Hopping Freight Trains
# 24: THE ELECTRONIC TRAVELER (mle) Thu Apr 21 94(10:56)
HOBO TIMES Goes Glossy Fullcolor
May wonders never cease. The HOBO TIMES, Volume 8, Edition 3, April & May
1994, is glossy fullcolor, front, back, and in between. It is a copyrighted
publication of the National Hobo Association, Inc., P.O.Box 706, Nisswa,
Minnesota 56468 USA, and is published six times per year. Annual membership
dues in the NHA are $15.00 U.S.
Table Of Contents:
From The Director
General News
Boes On The Go
Luther Retires
Wheels & Whistles
Flying With Amtrak
The Special Agent's View
Truckers: Interstate Hoboes
Hobo Telegraph
Riding The Rails 1993 Style
Old Dusty
The Night I Made Engineer
Hobo Poet's Corner
Letters From Readers
1994 Schedules & Classified
Coming Next Issue:
Connecticut Slim, A Hobo Profile
Road Hog's Tour
A Ride On The Midnight Ghost
Railroad Employee's Attitudes
Train Doc's Hobo Quiz
Luther Bags The Southwest Limited
... And Much More