The American Hobo History of the Railriding Worker

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

47:37 I first tried jumping on trains as a teenager in the 1960s. The B&O used to run empty hoppers upriver along the Patapsco River above Ellicott City, MD. The trains typically ran slowly, and it was relatively easy to climb aboard a hopper car. I'd typically ride a short distance and then stomp off, as i had no interest in going anywhere. This one time, the train unexpectedly accelerated to a speed greater than i was comfortable with getting off. So i tucked myself away on the end of the hopper, hanging on for a dear life, hoping that the train would slow down. It was a rocky, bumpy, windy ride. I wasn't prepared for the incessant wind, which left me shivering. When the train finally did slow down, after about 30 miles, I realized that we were approaching a grade crossing, at which sat a cop car with its light flashing. I quickly bailed out on the opposite side, rolled down the embankment and crawled through the brush, eventually reaching US 40. I ended up hitchhiking back home to Catonsville. That was my last "free" train ride.

[@merlin6625]

RIP Jim Stobie (Stobe the Hobo) 🙏

[@edwardhudson9851]

Amen from this Englishman now living here in Edmonton Alberta.Stobe's videos here on YT got me through Covid "Lock Down"

[@danantes5223]

My wife’s father was from Oklahoma. During the depression he would hop a train and ride to Texas, work on farms there, then on to California and Oregon, where he would pick fruit. He would send money back to his folks to help support his brothers and his sister. When he was back in Oklahoma he would hunt to put meat on the table. When he passed away, his brothers talked about their ‘duck hunter’ who helped supply them all with meat. They said they were one of the only families in the area that had meat on the table.

[@nocount1]

Always loved Ernest Borgnine

[@karenatha7890]

My grandparents were in the depression in the Midwest. In their neighborhood each household would see to their "own" hobo and make him a hearty meal every day. Everyone pitched in as so many were looking for work. They didn't turn them away.

[@Rosscotas]

karen atha you paint a pretty picture

[@jimschuman9926]

That’s back when more people cared about each other.

[@tomgray7438]

My uncle who I didn't know as I wasn't born yet but coming home from the swimming hole he decided to jump the train ,9 yrs old hr lost both legs and died. July 24 1945 RIP Kenny Gray

[@11Bravo84]

I knew a hobo by the name of happy days, nicest man I’ve ever known.❤

[@AmericanWireman]

The thought of a really nice jolly traveling hobo is a happy thought, spreading happiness wherever they go

[@michaelgarrity6090]

I had thought hoboing was something long dead, but during the past year, I've found the videos by people like Hobo Shoestring and others who are still doing it. I wished that I had known 20 years ago it was something people still did. I was in my 40s then and would have starred doing so then. I'm in my 60s now, so I don't really consider it feasible to do so now. I am glad to know that some people still have that free spirit to do it.

[@starcleaner2023]

You can do it. Shoe string is getting up there. I've been riding since I was 17. Trust me . You can get at least one adventure in.

[@misanthropik6070]

Jumping off the cliff channel will show you anyone can do this.

[@davedavsn7458]

You can do it, just do it. There is the channel "jumping off the cliff" - he's 65+ years and he's happily trainhopping.

[@johnymartin917]

Shoestring is dead and be careful with who you associate with , there are many broken ppl on the rails and back roads . But I've been to 49 states this way

[@nomadfishermanak]

I still hobo I'm waiting for a sbd out of Spokane..

[@djomegaminus]

My parents got to go on the Ringling Brother Circus train in Wisconsin and went VIP and got to meet Ernest Borgnine who is a huge trainhead.

[@zugzug9969]

I watched this podcast and I have always wanted to hobo various trains across the country

[@JohnSmith-pn4it]

This looks like it was made a few years before Hobo Shoestring took his first train ride. HS carries the hobo torch forward!

[@MacGregor.]

Yep , thinking this is '88

[@HoboRoadrunner]

Late 90s from what luther told me

[@tylerdouglas480]

Unfortunately he passed right shoestring

[@patriley9449]

I remember the end of the days when hobos rode the rails. They would arrive in the small town in which I lived and find work in the fruit packing sheds until the season was over and then move on to other locations. They had a camp down by the creek and seemed to be harmless, just wanting a simple job and a place to bed down. They did not intrude themselves all about the neighborhood and streets like modern homeless. While I am sure that this life was not easy in terms of comfort, it had its own freedoms. something that is missing in the country today. We have become a homogenized society which prides itself on communication via Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms while simultaneously reducing the amount of time we spend in actual face-to-face conversations. I do not participate in these forms of communication. Much has been lost in this conversion of convenience and faux interest in the actual lives of others.

[@johnelliott7962]

Thank you Ernest Borgnine for " The Emperor of the North" greatest movie ever.....

[@terrysmith7076]

What a interesting story Thank you for sharing ☮️

[@brianbatchelor4369]

Great video! Blast from the past.

[@missadel20]

hubby and i rode the rails for 10 years! amazing life.

[@SMC84601]

I start my journey this summer in Europe !!

[@30ramsfan]

Thank you for sharing. Fantastic life.

[@raymondherbst7126]

My father, growing up in depression era 30’s California would hop rail cars all over CA. As kids it was an adventure and safer than being on the street today. He would tell us of the hobo camps being full of former Professors, bankrupt stock brokers and businessmen. Everyone pitched in whatever food or drink that they acquired that day. No matter who you were everyone was welcome. He would show us how they made cook grills or food containers and shelter from anything they found.

[@danieljackson6791]

Speaking from the UK what's going ca

[@danieljackson6791]

What's ca meant to say

[@devally2432]

@@danieljackson6791 California.

[@srvfan454]

My great grandpa was an orphan growing up during the depression. He rode the rails all over America looking for work during his teenage years. He learned carpentry and traveled wherever there were jobs. He had some amazing stories. I wish I could remember more of them.

[@adamunruh8860]

Duuuuude they got Merle Haggard for this

[@mike.p.1400]

I took a northbound one time. A long time ago. I had just gotten out of the army in 1976. I was discharged at fort Bragg. N.C. I had a little piece of money but I blew it down hay street. So I hoped a northbound and it took me to New York. Then I hitchhiked to Boston. I would imagine it’s tough these days. If not impossible. I mean try to find a box car these days. Plus. It’s Dangerous. The young people on the rails these days are cowboys. Gunslingers.

[@cicknobb5321]

This is treasure. People on this doc I dream of meeting and riding a train with

[@johnallen2771]

Hey, people are going to do what they can to get by and still maintain their sanity in this crazy society. I didn't ride the rails but my Grandpa was a station master in a small town in Ohio in the '50s and I've heard that whistle and watched many a train come and go through that station. But I hitchhiked all over this country in the '60s mostly from the Mississippi River and West. That guy was right when he said if you get out and explore this country of ours and see some of it first hand it changes your whole outlook on life. There are opportunities and new adventures around every corner. If you're willing to work when you can or have to, then you'll make it. But you can't rely on other people to feed you. I mean use food banks if you can but you gotta have something going for yourself to survive.

[@dubbleu.b.b.7392]

I had family members that were "Bulls:

[@wallamboklahong9125]

No we are a kind of persons say Christian Brothers to be happy with anyone liviing together, n sharing our meals n clothes, that's love hobo.

[@6412mars]

We come from Matewan West Virginia... had an Uncle Peg..guess how he got the name? Yep..on the tracks

[@winstonernest2315]

LUV TIS VIDEO! TRUE AMERICANA!

[@joannnelson9847]

I once loved and still do love a Brakeman who was working on the railroad.

[@Baz-Ten]

Ernest Borgnine! the narrator here played a Rail Policeman! in the film `Emperor of the North`..with Lee Marvin & Keith Carradine

[@dwightmcqueen5771]

I will always respect this great man

[@SMC84601]

❤

[@nnj6918]

Very well done...thank you.

[@tommymann69]

Jimmy Rogers was famous for singing about the Hobos & trains

[@SMC84601]

This was awesome !!

[@Name-ot3xw]

Just FYI, all major airline employees have flight privileges. You would be the last person to get a seat, but we live in the future and can show up to which flights are underbooked.

[@markmaryanderson1856]

This here penned by an old bo named Grubstake,,,part of a small brotherhood named the Wood Valley Wascalls.

[@cicknobb5321]

Thank you for this

[@MrDastardly]

Really interesting. 👏👏👏👍

[@citrusstatue3991]

Love the Merle Haggard in the beginning tho he’s not the original singer of that song

[@nutmagnet22]

I must have missed the claim that he was.

[@TheYeti308]

Best Content .

[@jayhart5244]

The music fits real life I was always a free man myself but dam it could be hard now I'm on my way to 60 and that is harder I love handling my true freedom but the older the harder I miss youth

[@markmaryanderson1856]

Thanks for sharing this❤ makes an ol bo's heart beat a bit finer.Brings back so many good stories. Ya know why God made Hobos, Cause He Loves stories + I got close encounters with the Northern Pacific back in the 60s, Hired on for summer job on what NP called a Signal Gang. 12 young jokers and a Foreman . Old boxcars convrted into a bunk car with 4 bunks and a central pot belly stove. The Outfit consisted of 3 bunk cars, a crapper/ shower car, and. a kitchen/ dining car.That was it for the 12 of us, under a big bridge along the Cowlitz River in WA on a siding 9' away from the Main Line in the little town of Kelso WA. Some memories I'd love to share. Post a reply if you'd like to hear more. Best to all the Great Railroad fans out there, share the stories, share the Love ❤️

[@philfrizzell4571]

I rode too but very few boxcars. I like grainers

[@rxramblingrose4857]

Countrytime Sky was here Nicole I love you

[@dubiousbrick4483]

What is the name of the poem in the beginning? Please someone help me on this

[@The_Empire_Chronicles]

Good job.

[@alanmarsh4372]

excellent """""""documentary

[@merlin6625]

Mulligan Stew 🍲 is good stuff!! 😋

[@christopherdibble5872]

The engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, not like did back in 1954. Sing it man.

[@thehobo-tographer7652]

Look how the rails have changed, did you see those trains, just random train shots and none of them were “tagged” I bet those were safe rail hopping days.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

These people got some train names for sure

[@jeffreywatts94]

RIP Hobo Shoestring, I miss that guy.

[@kelterskelter4]

8:13 that Hopalong dude looks a lot like Bear Grease. Put an old leather hat on him and grow his hair, and he would be the spittin' image.

[@Hillers62]

At 5:08 ...When two former Union soldiers are said to have started the Hobo life, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" is playing...That was a Confederate song...do your research...

[@robvancamp2781]

No audio?

[@user-iq6dp7sb3g]

Who is the opening Poem by.

[@misanthropik6070]

RIP Stobie

[@843Mixin-mn5vm]

Why do yall act like he's the only dead hobo or hobo for that matter lol?

[@AmericanWireman]

​@@843Mixin-mn5vmthey don't need to explain their reasons for saying RIP

[@Ronald-hx6zn]

In a certain sense the Hobo was a pioneer by different mode of travel.

[@TinLeadHammer]

No way it is 1973. Shot on video (even though uploaded at only 30p instead of 60p). They started making Ford Aerostar in 1986.

[@tommymann69]

Hobo shoestring

[@dubbleu.b.b.7392]

I was related to a bunch of " Bulls " if anyone knows what that is

[@missadel20]

The bulls would give us shit when my hubby and i rode (10 years, weve been retired from the rails 7 years)but they were just doing the job thay were paid to do. we were kicked off lots of trains but didnt have to deal with the beatings thay did in the 30's. i mean there cops and needless to say.......... but everyone's gotta make a living

[@bobpaulino4714]

Like anything else, there are good ones and bad ones. Have a friend that was in 'loss prevention' for csx. He'd roam yards in the dark in the middle of the night -- folks just trying to get home or find work he'd often help. The vandals with their spray paint, the ones breaking seals, cutting locks, and stealing, he'd run in. Those too drunk or stoned to be taking the chances they were, he'd try to deter -- or they'd get a ride to a shelter or jail (their choice based on their attitude) He, like I in fire and EMS, got tired of big bags with zippers, death, and destruction.

[@TheB787heavy]

Train police

[@brettmyers5889]

The Rambler!! 🍸 🍸

[@behindthespotlight7983]

♥️♥️♥️’d 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 New sub

[@spiffymcshaftersoniii6719]

DD40X at 48:49!!

[@fridasophia5356]

Haha train doc!

[@howardreed5399]

Shout out to Fast Freddie, Rail Road Bull, Tucson Yard I RODE RIGHT PAST YA WAVING!!!

[@nobs8862]

It is a long-standing misconception that all hobos ride trains to get around. Many of them walk and some hitchhike. Some travel from state to state. Some stay in just one state. The common idea of what hobos were, and are, is narrow-minded at best.

[@fadedexile]

Hobos ride trains. People who walk or hitchhike are called tramps. People who stay in the same area are called home bums. I hope this helps.

[@nobs8862]

@@fadedexile What I stated is the fact of it. You are stuck on the common misconception of what hobos, tramps, and bums are.

[@nobs8862]

As defined by the hobos (real hobos) themselves... "Hobos are travelling workers. Tramps are travelling non-workers. Bums are non-travelling non-workers." Hobos say absolutely nothing to the effect of "hobos travel only by trains." So, the truth is, hobos are travelling workers. That's it, travelling workers. Now stop with the pathetic efforts to troll KZbin comments. LOL!

[@dubbleu.b.b.7392]

@@fadedexile true. All of my family were "Bulls" and they loved doing what they did to HOBOS

[@dubbleu.b.b.7392]

@@nobs8862 at the end of the day they are all pieces of poop

[@khuludayari7951]

23:59 "the worst thing for some of us would be if they made it legal", why?

[@843Mixin-mn5vm]

Because then everyone would start doing it and it wouldn't be cool anymore. Haven't you ever noticed once everyone starts doing something it loses the magic it has?

[@tpe54]

no graffiti tags in 1973 loved this, but had to stop.....too many ads

[@michaelstanich70]

i would have road the rails if it was not for my heart and blood pressure problem. R.I.P HOBO SHOESTRING.

[@beorbeorian150]

Where do you poop when on a rail car

[@843Mixin-mn5vm]

On some cardboard and then throw it out. I can already tell you're a Karen btw.

[@mattmarzula]

F-ing Ernest Borgnine... I'll be damned.

[@Naber_Dan]

Grampa rode the rails, he called it "on the bum".

[@ronaldhall2489]

Just being a honest true free man is going not just the hobos all around everywhere God bless America 🇺🇸 and us all

[@philfrizzell4571]

Im probably only one that rode freights that would stay at a mission or shelter. Most wont

[@ferdaaydin7405]

Nobody know where hobo goes😊

[@mtbalpinecounty]

💪

[@DimJongUn]

Train Doc and Jim Carrey are the same person

[@Randomnessaralus]

Rip hobo SHOESTRING

[@therealbigfoot3076]

Stobe

[@youtruckrek5121]

yehaw

[@pauld9561]

Men haven't changed a bit. Women? Now that's a dying breed.

[@viu1558]

all hobos were hopeful. they had the hope of a better future. not one of them had a better future.

[@wallamboklahong9125]

We should have that railroad - hobo in the Indian railroads too, we could see our whole country. Making it illegal is not in the interest of the nation, citizens are to b carefree n liberal.

[@off.pudding]

9:55

[@philfrizzell4571]

They Dont all work tho

[@uttaradit2]

plastic hobo

[@SOULRELIEF22]

JESUS is RETURNING SOON! ALLELUIA! 🙏🙌🙌👏💃 There will be NO PROFANITY in the KINGDOM of GOD!

[@therealbigfoot3076]

Your fairytale has been debunked. Cats outta the bag. It's 2022

[@SOULRELIEF22]

THE LORD saved me from atheism! PRESENTLY I'M CELEBRATING 50 YEARS LOVING JESUS! 1972-2022! "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 1 Peter 3:8! JESUS has only been gone a little over TWO days in Heaven's timetable! HALLELUJAH!

[@OxybroCone]

I better get my cussing out the way then. Fucker

[@bathingatbaxters]

7:56 sample

[@bathingatbaxters]

Sample 2:12