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Train Hopping

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Started 9 months ago by Yeti22
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Yeti22
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I know this is illegal, so consider some of what I write as hypothetical.

A friend of mine plans to "train hop"(jump on a freight train and ride it to wherever) for adventure. After reading some message boards I have learned some of the dangers involved.

Has anyone in Columbus done this? Do have any tips or stories on this subject? Where/when is a good place to start? Where to get information? I know there are campsites near the tracks where I could gain this information, but we would like to avoid being stabbed for now.

Posted 9 months ago #
jennyvargo

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I have a friend who is a conductor for the railroad. Him and I were just talking about this a few days ago, and here in Columbus the security is pretty high. He said that people try it a lot, and they see it and have the police waiting for the person who hopped on at the next stop. Also most crossings now have signs saying if you see someone on the train to call the police. So with that being said.. be careful. They don't take lightly to people hopping on due to all of the fatal accidents. With that being said. Does anyone know where they now park the scrap cars? It used to be in Hilliard, but they have moved them. I want to go out and photograph some of the graffiti on the cars.

Posted 9 months ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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One rule: leave a half-carlength between yourself and any rolling stock when you cross the tracks because you don't know when it might start moving toward you.

And, draft a will.

The half-carlength rule works in parking lots, as well.

Posted 9 months ago #
cc

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I have seen people do it near the railroad bridge above the bikepath as the tracks get close to Goodale/33 downtown (this is not the one over the river). They seem to stop/slow trains fairly often there. It really doesn't make up for the 3C.

The noise these very heavy trains make starting up (banging the cars back and forth for what seems a long time as it gains momentum) can be very intimidating.

Posted 9 months ago #
rory
NW Short North
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Hopping Freight Trains in America by Duffy Littlejohn is pretty entertaining and informative even if you never get near a train. I think the security is a little stricter now than it used to be.

Posted 9 months ago #
Static-X
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jennyvargo said:
I have a friend who is a conductor for the railroad. Him and I were just talking about this a few days ago, and here in Columbus the security is pretty high. He said that people try it a lot, and they see it and have the police waiting for the person who hopped on at the next stop. Also most crossings now have signs saying if you see someone on the train to call the police. So with that being said.. be careful. They don't take lightly to people hopping on due to all of the fatal accidents. With that being said. Does anyone know where they now park the scrap cars? It used to be in Hilliard, but they have moved them. I want to go out and photograph some of the graffiti on the cars.

Adventure? Yea, nothing like getting cuffed, hauled in, figerprinted and booked for one hellava adventure. Yeti22, Your buddy wants adventure? Tell him to make a Niagara barrel and go over one of the Scioto's low-head damns. How about hanging out on 6th St. between Gay and Long for a good adventure. Has your buddy ever seen "Locked up Abroad?" Have him do something like that for a little adventure. WARNING: Danger, Do Not Do Anything That I Wrote!! All Hypothetical!!

Posted 9 months ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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Get the Video Plugins

Posted 9 months ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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How about hanging out on 6th St. between Gay and Long for a good adventure.

...huh?

Posted 9 months ago #
Yeti22
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I may have conducted research last night.
Positives: found a wooded area near where the trains stop. It looked like you could jump on undetected and relatively safe.
Negatives: The noise was intimidating and probably worse when riding. Also I bet the ride is far from smoothe. The area around the tracks where you may need to jump off is rocks and broken glass.

Static-X said:
Adventure? Yea, nothing like getting cuffed, hauled in, figerprinted and booked for one hellava adventure.

Actually getting arrested is an adventure.
Scars are stories that are fun when the pain goes away.

Posted 9 months ago #
Cookie
Flyntonville
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Yeti22 said:
Actually getting arrested is an adventure.
Scars are stories that are fun when the pain goes away.

So go risk getting stabbed and ask at the campsites instead of here already.

Posted 9 months ago #
joev
Merion Village
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I recommend against doing this, but if you really must, a word to the wise: You don't want to be the only hobo without a bindle, and animal prints are IN.

Posted 9 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Before they busted up the big homeless camp off McKinley to put in the new bike bridge, I used to see tons of homeless/hobo* sorts of people around the train crossing on Harper. I'd see people inside boxcars as they went by, huddled in corners; and I saw a guy jump on a slow moving train as it headed toward downtown one time.

*Out of the wide array of folks pushing carts down McKinley, last summer I saw a dude with a broom with a large black plastic bag tied onto the business end of it, with the stick slung over his shoulder. It is among my larger regrets that I didn't get a picture of him.

Posted 9 months ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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Actually getting arrested is an adventure.

Really, it isn't.

Posted 9 months ago #
Static-X
Here
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Coremodels said:
...huh?

Huh? I guess you haven't taken your doggies for a walk down 6th St. between Gay and Long. Every homeless person and transient lines that sidewalk. Cardboard box beds, cots, plastic bags full of who knows and beer cans and wine bottles wrapped in a brown paper bag all included. Coremodels, I suggest you stay home and don't subject yourself to this everyday occurrence.

Posted 9 months ago #
GW_Justice
Grandview Hts.
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What about hitchhiking instead of train hopping? Seems like it is safer and legal.

I don't see many hitchhikers any more, wonder why?

Posted 9 months ago #
Coremodels
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Static-X said:
Huh? I guess you haven't taken your doggies for a walk down 6th St. between Gay and Town. Every homeless person and transient lines that sidewalk. Cardboard box beds, cots, plastic bags full of who knows and beer cans and wine bottles wrapped in a brown paper bag all included. Coremodels, I suggest you stay home and don't subject yourself to this everyday occurrence.

My doggie and I typically wake up 2 to 3 of them at Schiller each morning around sunrise. Occasionally I say "good morning", more often I offer a cigarette and a light. I've even been known to have them walk with me, and have a nice conversation.

I just don't find homeless people very scary I guess.

ETA: I have been down there btw, and I just thought it was a strange choice for pointing at a street as an adventure in Columbus. There's a helluva lot of places I wouldn't take lightly, but that's just not even on the list.

Posted 9 months ago #
Static-X
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Coremodels said:
My doggie and I typically wake up 2 to 3 of them at Schiller each morning around sunrise. Occasionally I say "good morning", more often I offer a cigarette and a light. I've even been known to have them walk with me, and have a nice conversation.

I just don't find homeless people very scary I guess.

Take a walk down 6th during a decent day and tell me what you think. Maybe thats why nobody parks their cars on 6th anymore. There are at least fifty meters on that street, and every single meter is empty.

Posted 9 months ago #
Coremodels
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Dude, I'm not questioning if there's basically a homeless camp there, I'm just saying I don't find that all that scary. I've never had a situation occur with a panhandler or a homeless guy that made me feel like I was in any danger.

Homeless guys aren't armed. Homeless guys aren't in exactly peak physical condition. Homeless guys are more likely to GET killed than be a killer.

There's better things to be scared of. I also would wager that a lot of people aren't as scared of them, as they are unhappy about recognizing they exist by seeing them.

Posted 9 months ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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I am not at all bothered by homeless people. Not even a little in fact I have met quite a few pleasant acquaintances on Long st. and down that little stretch of road on 6th.
But I have to be honest and say I have had a few incidents take place in the past few months on sixth that have me a little on edge. I am not one to be skittish about where I walk. I am not sure what has changed but somethings different and I now either drive to school or have my open knife in pocket if I do walk that area. I am still not saying that anyone is bad and I still give hellos and head nods on my walk by but I am just more aware of my surroundings. No not all people are out to cause harm.

ETA:
Sorry for derailing.

TrainHopping just be careful of your safety and the law.
Oh also don't underestimate the speed of the train sometimes it's going a lot faster then it looks.
Don't ride on loaded flatcars and loaded gondolas.

Posted 9 months ago #
cc

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Longmont, Colo --
A 17-year-old Colorado State University student lost both her legs when she tried to hop aboard a freight train and slipped underneath the moving train on Monday, police said.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18832383

Very sadly, it seems to be a growing trend among hipsters. I hope most stick to planking. This picture captures a fleeting moment, the girl's injuries will last a lifetime.

Posted 8 months ago #