Hobo Jungle

[The Dirt]

It would make sense, to grab the rear edge of the doorway, because then you could use a hand up the jamb for increased leverage to get yourself in.

[Tramp]

Nope!

[The Dirt]

Do you use a ... Tramp-oline?

[AG]

there is only one safe way to climb into a rolling boxcar. Do you know what it is? .

Sure, when the train is not running.......

...I use my one for a couple time maybe is the same as yours......

A.

[webenda]

Andre's answer plus bring a ladder.

Oh! No, that would not be a rolling boxcar.

I went down to the yard and asked a hobo.
Not only did I not get an answer but he was rude.

[rogruth]

Dirt,

[webenda]

While searching for "How to hop a train" I ran across this photo of what are supposed to be tramps in a hobo jungle.



What kind of tramps are these that are dressed finer than I?

Excerpt from Super-Tramp, by William H. Davies:

However, we could no longer stand the sultry heat of New York, where we had been for several days, during which time we had been groaning and gasping for air. So I and Brum started out of the City, on the way towards Hartford, Connecticut, with the intention of walking no more than six miles a day along the seacoast. What a glorious time we had; the people catered for us as though we were the only tramps in the whole world, and as if they considered it providential that we should call at their houses for assistance. The usual order of things changed considerably. Cake-which we had hitherto considered as a luxury-became at this time our common food, and we were at last compelled to install plain bread and butter as the luxury, preferring it before the finest sponge cake flavoured with spices and eggs. Fresh water springs were numerous, gushing joyously out of the rocks, or lying quiet in shady nooks; and there was many a tramp's camp, with tin cans ready to hand, where we could make our coffee and consume the contents of paper bags. This part of the country was also exceptionally good for clothes. Summer boarders often left clothes behind, and of what use were they to the landladies, for no rag-and-bone man ever called at their houses. The truth of the matter was that in less than a week I was well dressed from head to foot, all of these things being voluntary offerings, when in quest of eatables.

Reference: http://freepages.books.rootsweb.ancestr ... /index.htm

I still do not know the only safe way to hop a rolling boxcar, so, another guess:

Use the freight platform at the depot that is often near the yard?

[Tramp]

Wayne, are you telling me there is something you can't find online?

Gripping the door is not a good idea for a few reasons. Doors can move if they're loose in the track. This would be unusual though. The real problem is that they can have sharp edges from nicks or damage. The scaly rust also doesn't make for a positive grip. Besides, you don't need to touch the door. Many riders try to swing their foot and leg on first, holding the door. Also not good. Another funny thing is not to toss your gear in too energetically as you might toss it right out the other open door. It's very important to choose a boxcar with two open doors. Know why?

[hev52]

I'd want two doors open cause ya never know what ya might be gittin' into to. That's why I would want both doors open. (2 exit ways)...............................

[Tramp]

Hev, a valid point, but the most important reason is preventing being locked in a boxcar. Hobos have been found dead repeatedly because of this. When the freight pulls the slack out of the couplers, the resulting hump can easily shut a single open door. Since the doors slide in opposite directions, this can't happen with two open doors. I used to lay a bit of lumber in the door track to prevent a mistake.

Once a hobo claims a boxcar, it's his home. Anyone not asking permission to enter gets a boot in the face.

[webenda]

Wayne, are you telling me there is something you can't find online?

No, I am not telling you that. This topic (safe boarding of a moving boxcar) is easy to
find, with lots of warnings of what can happen if you do it wrong, but the on-line
hobos are not giving away their method. It must be hidden out there somewhere.

So, I don't need to touch the door? And I do not like the idea of pulling up like in
getting out of a pool. I was joking about jumping from a freight loading ramp. How
about just jumping head first, rolling to your feet, grabbing your bag and getting
ready to get out if your car is already occupied? I think I saw that in a movie once.
David Carradine in "Bound for Glory" maybe? I'm off to YouTube to see if I can find
it.

[Tramp]

It's actually rather easy and I've never had the least problem with this method. You toss your luggage in as Wayne suggested, then run at the same speed as the accelerating train, place your hands on the wood floor (always chose a car with a wooden floor if you can), then hoist (spring) your body upwards with your arms, spinning your torso so that you land on your *** and simply roll backwards into the car. Once you've practiced on a stationary boxcar, it's bizarrely simple. You don't really need to roll in as you'll naturally land in a sitting position, but it does add a bit of finesse. Since hobos rarely have big bellies and they tend to be somewhat fit, this is also not an issue.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Not-for-nothin but.... how 'bout just waiting at a watertank, for the train to load up on water; then, you could just step aboard a still boxcar, after having had a bath and a drink? Or are the cars all locked up by then and inaccessible/Eh?

[webenda]

YES!

I found it on YouTube in the movie "Bound for Glory." David Carradine does it exactly as you said Tramp.
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLOdbcAi2Rw (at 1:00 into the video.)
How late am I with the answer? (57 minutes )

[MartyE]

Ran out of beer at home...heading to Gomer's. The beer is on me tonight boys! Drink Up! Of course I am already a half a case ahead of yinz guys so catch me if you can!