learn what well cars are what (hopping freight trains 101)

[@theoutdoorchannel9283]

Do you trust riding a high deck

[@Telestations]

yes and no - depends on the well car

[@josefweiss3394]

How can you figure out the schedule??

[@Telestations]

just got to watch the activity's and they typically don't have set schedules it's give or take a few hrs. and depends on priority AKA rush orders - but when they go they do have a time to keep so they don't hold back oncoming trains or passenger trains or hotshots

[@socalflyfishingjunkie]

How dose one spot a decent ride ?

[@Telestations]

got to learn what one can ride and what one cant ride - then ya decide what ya want to ride - how it works - we all learn about rail cars -

[@kenharbin3440]

Like @telestations said, learn the car types. Know the visual differences between C112 vs C114 vs C614 hoppers, so you can pick a ride from a distance, same with other car types. The cars you want have decks, or "porches" as we call them here, safe spot to ride and stay hidden. Others like he said have just beams and holes, this is riding suicide. Its doable as long as you don't fall asleep, otherwise into the meat grinder you go. And when you are new, only board a stopped train. Catching on the fly kills or maimes a lot newbies. It's a skill to be learned. Hang around the railroad tracks and watch and learn while listening to scanner, but carry a camera with you, then most people will ignore you as just a railfan. Bulls rarely harass guys with cameras I've learned.