Freighthopping or trainhopping is the act of surreptitiously boarding and riding a freightcar, which is usually illegal.
What did Hobo Shoestring do for a living?
Shoestring has been hopping trains for thirty years, since he got out of the Army. He packs a ton of railroad knowledge and train-hopping lore into his videos. Hobos seem to favor three types of train cars to ride on.
When did CSX stop using cabooses?
How did Hobo shoestring lose his fingers?
Hobo Shoestring lost half his hand in a rail-hopping accident. Shoestring has taken numerous first-timers out for the first ride when they asked him to. He says that after one ride, they're usually “so beat they never want to ride a train again.” Clearly, it isn't for everyone.
What happened to Jim Stobe the hobo?
Reports seemed to indicate either falling off a bridge onto the tracks or his backpack getting caught on a passing Amtrack train while on a bridge and being dragged. Based on the communications from Baltimore Law Enforcement and Baltimore Train communications we've located the area where his body was recovered.
Do hobos still ride freight trains?
The practice was heralded in popular culture of 20th century America with songs such as "King of the Road", and films like Emperor of the North Pole. For a variety of reasons the practice is less common in the 21st century, although a community of freight-train riders still exists.