Hobo Jungle

[rogruth]

So.Another example of not to believe what you see.

Sure looks good on paper.This was the saying about all the changes made in teaching during my 43 years.

[britbloke]

While you're photoshopping Wayne, see if you can reverse the lower light colored shape so the low end is facing forward. I'm wondering whether that wouldnt improve the 'speed' look.

[Tramp]

Wayne, if all the boxcar doors are closed, where is a hobo going to ride?

[rogruth]

While you're photoshopping Wayne, see if you can reverse the lower light colored shape so the low end is facing forward. I'm wondering whether that wouldnt improve the 'speed' look.

Mike,

That actually fits the shape of the loco side.

[rogruth]

Wayne, if all the boxcar doors are closed, where is a hobo going to ride?

Maybe some are open on the side we can't see?

[Tramp]

Roger, you are a wonderful optimist. However—and I bet you knew this was coming—no sensible hobo rides in an empty without both doors being at least slightly open. Do you know why?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

So he can escape out the one opposite where he hears a RR club-carrying thug a-comin' ?

[The Dirt]

I know, I know...

(Tramp told me once before... so I'm disqualified from answering)

[webenda]

Scenery cruiser.

[webenda]

Another "escape" answer.

If the train does an emergency stop, an open door can slide closed and latch. There is no way to open it from inside. If the other door is open it provides a way out. Shunting (switching) cars can close either or both doors. At least you have a chance to get out after the first door closes.

[Tramp]

Wayne, every time a long train starts, pulling the stack out of the couplers, the jerk can usually knock a hobo down if he isn't holding on, and it can close a door. I would wedge a stick of lumber into the door track. You could always hear the hump coming, and if you weren't ready, you went flying.

Your answer is, of course, correct. Pete, did you remember right?

Hobos were found dead in cars from being locked inside. That was one way I didn't want to die.

[The Dirt]

Yupper, I did. I listened.

And I remember, I believe, you telling me that since the doors slide closed in opposite directions, that 'slack going out' will want to close one door and open the other, but that the exact opposite is true if the train starts to brake, (while hobo Wayne is dead asleep from an OD of cheap hootch ), and a hobo, from the *bang* of one door or the other, (as both won't try to close at the same time), will still have a chance to avoid being locked-in.

[Tramp]

Some engineers seemed to have a lighter touch than others, but it might have been just the length of the train or how far back in the train you were riding. Being too close to the locomotives is simply deadly if the train heads into a long tunnel. I learned that the hard way—truly scary since on top of being shrouded in hot exhaust, you can't see. But I'm sure I told you all this.

[The Dirt]

I don't remember that. But then, there's so much you haven't said.

Is it possible to get completely asphyxiated? Ever hear of a hobo dying?

[Mitch]

I recall as a youngin crawling under (what I thought) was a parked train when I wanted to go fishin' down at the 3 Sister Rocks. Halfway across and you heard it comin'!BOOM,BOOM,BOOM,BOOM,BOOM,as the coupler slack came out, then you heard the wheels squeakin' as they began to roll, and you were damned glad you were across.