Trainhopping and Violence

A not-so-brief discussion of life on the road, fitness, and self defense.
I found a board with nails in it left on the trail during the making of this one. It disrupted filming, and honestly got me a bit frustrated for a few days. Such is life.
UPDATE: I now have full-contact trainers available in my shop. All handmade, tested, and proven to be durable and effective. They’re made to match my production knives, along with a couple more generic / familiar shapes.
Worth noting: I make a habit of deleting really negative or argumentative comments. Disagreement is welcome, but I don’t post here to argue or to provide a forum for people to go at each other. If you have a real problem with anything I say, take the time to make a response video.
#trainhopping #urbex #abandonedplaces

[@johnscherf1228]

As a freight train rider here and there, the only encounter I had here in Wisconsin was back in the summer of 2016 was a young guy drinking a bottle of Jim Bean approached me out of no where and said he was heading to Montana and asked me if I wanted to party with him, I refused and lied to him I have other people coming here soon to meet, I said, nice knowing you and I disappeared into the woods. I saw him get on a grainer a few cars down, then I got on. I got off in Minnesota. So far, I had no problems but I always keep a watch around my surroundings. I always recon an area to see if there is any activity like a group of people under a bridge, etc. I do carry weapons just in case! I have heard there is some sick s**t out there! Murders, rape, robberies and whatever out there!

[@jeffquintrall4057]

Good advice for just walking down the street nowadays. That padlock flail would work. Like Mr. Kersey’s sock full of half dollars, or Sean Penn’s full coke can sock.

[@PorchHonkey]

Bad boys. It was a pillowcase if I'm remembering right.

[@drifterchronicles14]

We Canadian tramps and hobos call that a Smiley 😁

[@wendigaro438]

Most people want things to be smooth and nice and reasonable, but there is a certain subset of Judge Holden types, especially on the road. It tends to attract the deeply good and the deeply evil, though certainly in the vast minority. You'll find few people of a neutral moral affiliation on the road, but there are scourges of drifter types who suffer from a kind of self-sacrificial apathy. Anyway, great video as always. Listening from the fab shop, your vids always make the work day a lot better. Keep trucking pitch black!!

[@hoboq3tree]

Lifelong combat sports enthusiast here and just want to give my two cents. Experience with BJJ, muay thai, and judo, as well as MACP in my army days. Just wanted to give an honorable mention to traditional western boxing. There's a lot of marketing and monetization of martial arts, but there are thousands of videos of concrete evidence that boxing works in a fight, even against multiple attackers. The bigger point I'm gonna make is that boxing is also easier/quicker to pick up the basics than other martial arts. You can train boxing for 3-6 months at a reasonable price and have the defense needed to slip a sucker punch or roll under a haymaker, have a couple combos you're comfortable with and aim for soft spots so you don't break your hands. Go to some judo classes (also usually reasonably priced, but judo clubs can be hard to find) and drill some throws. Judo also trains ground grappling, which is where BJJ originated. Now you can throw someone who grabs you while staying on your feet, you know how to dodge punches, and you know how to escape if someone does get you to the ground. 6 months of boxing and a couple months of consistent Judo and you'll be equipped to defend yourself and disengage from 95% of *unarmed* self defense situations. Good video as always Ben, thanks for sharing your wisdom

[@PitchBlackForge]

Western Boxing is phenomenal. I wish old school boxing gyms were more common. There was one in Greensboro NC where I lived years ago and it was $25 a year. A year. For use of the facilities. You’d get private lessons from other members until the coach took some notice of you. Catch wrestling also deserves a mention. That one is mostly obscure stateside, but we see the influence seeping into jiu jitsu thankfully.

[@pharaohsmagician8329]

A few months of boxing and some brass knuckles and you've got a pretty reasonable means of self defense that alsi requires way less police intervention than ANY knife or bladed self defense would 100% require. I agree with your comment! Also Pepper Spray Bear Spray etc just wearing a Motorcycle Helmet if you think it's a dangerous area or biker gloves with heavy studded knuckles. And steel toed boots with practice kicking, lots of ways to stay more dangerous

[@kenharbin3440]

@@hoboq3tree absolutely, I'm 59 and still hit the heavy bag twice a week. Gotta stay practiced and boxing is the easiest to learn and most natural for most people. Only drawback is fighting sports teach fairness, outside the gym there is no fair. Anything goes in a street fight, loose and you could be dead. So practice the not so nice also, groin strikes, kick to the knee, etc., the things that your opponent will try to do.

[@88WhiteRhino]

You may think guns and condoms have nothing in common but they do. It's better to have one and not need one then need one and not have one. Because if you ever come across the situation that you need one but don't have one it may be that you never will again

[@zekeigtos7240]

Fair enough, but just be aware carrying a firearm on railroad property can lead to felony weapons charges.

[@harrisonwater44]

If you bring a gun on a train ur just a dummy

[@chrismackay8314]

Thanks again. I am not a train rider, but often am out in remote places - and really appreciate your content.

[@TerraExplorations]

I'd seen some places where people have left those like mines to keep folks outta places... nasty. I agree with ya on keeping it together, no excuse for not having time to hit a 30-minute routine and eat a decent diet. great to mention the importance of some real world hand to hand combat/defense, taekwondo when you were a kid won't work. Very true, you're putting yourself in a dangerous world... better be really ready for it. Killer video... straight up advise as always.✌🏼

[@girthbrooks39]

@PitchBlackForge whats with your 'inane' inquiry regarding my very obvious point? The use of an 's' instead of a 'c', when attempting to use the word 'advice', actually spells an altogether different word, you grumpy little bitch.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@girthbrooks39I suggest you drive to the nearest clinic and have your estrogen levels checked.

[@kenharbin3440]

Nice video, most young people watch vids and only see the "freedom and romance" of the rails, not realizing when the sun goes down, all bets are off. I don't ride as much as I would like anymore, but I still stay in physical condition, and on occasion, strap a couple knives, walk southside Easton at 2am looking like a drunk victim. Some 20 something year old thug will always oblige my training. As humans we really don't want to hurt others. Delivering pain on your opponent takes practice. Your opponent WILL be well practiced, you need to be also. My 2 cents

[@Inquisitivemind1987]

I’ve seen people hit the road and get completely blindsided by how fucked up it gets sometimes. People are getting softer, watching people fight on the street is fucking embarrassing now, it’s a joke. They’re becoming more and more detached from reality because they live their lives in front of a screen, completely oblivious to everything around them. It’s pathetic. At least it keeps them inside. Great video as always. Direct and no bullshit.

[@PitchBlackForge]

I’m waiting for some of the KZbin trainhopping guys, who obviously want to be influencers, to find themselves in someplace like south 95th st station in Chicago (part of the transit route to get to Barr Yard) and have a big “OH NO” moment.

[@Inquisitivemind1987]

@@PitchBlackForge Fuck Cook county all together. I had a job at a bottling plant in Chicago back in 2009. There’s a Bob Evans just south of Chicago on 57. I had an old couple want to buy me breakfast and take me the rest of the way in. So I’m stoked as hell to get a lift through the sea of corn. They dropped me off as soon as we crossed into south Chicago. Things happened within the hour of getting dropped off. I was a shithead hardcore alcoholic back then that did nothing but drink and scrap. I thought I was tough. Long story long, I guess, I got sliced up with a razor knife on my ribs and left arm. Cut all into my intercostal muscles between 3 of my ribs. Worst part was, as soon as I got the fuck out of there and was actually able to look at it, I puked up all that Bob Evans. Such a waste. People think life is like the movies, it’s their reality now. People aren’t afraid for their lives anymore. The big man with the shiny badge will be there to save them. Not the case. People are strangers in their own countries because they don’t understand what it truly is, they see what they want. Places like Chicago, Augusta, Detroit, Newark, New Orleans and many more will check you in a fucking heartbeat. BUT they’re usually the places you can do whatever the fuck you want. The pigs don’t give a shit because their too busy. Double edged sword, I suppose.

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

@@PitchBlackForgeit’s only a matter of time before they get checked. Hanging off the side of a train for views ain’t it. It’s not sunshine and rainbows

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@Inquisitivemind1987south Chicago is definitely not playing. The west end around Cicero used to be alright, but it’s rough as hell now. Glad you made it out alive. Getting sliced up is not on the short list of things anyone wants to have happen.

[@johnscherf1228]

@@PitchBlackForge AGREE to that! I avoid Chicago!

[@Telestations]

dress like a bum and no folk will approach ya - what me do when me hop freight

[@PitchBlackForge]

This will stop some people from approaching. It also means the local drug addicts and dealers are going to hassle you. There’s always the possibility of things going sideways. Best to be prepared for that eventuality. By the way, your work with birds is great.

[@Telestations]

@@PitchBlackForge that is a fact - shit can happen even if ya dress down - Love Eagles - Much Love and Respects to ya -

[@zekeigtos7240]

I take back the bad things I said about you behind your back. Very good summary and good information. Yes, this is a dangerous lifestyle. People who engage in these activities need to be aware that what they are doing is in fact illegal and you could be charged with actual crimes and wind up with a criminal record. The worst thing to do is damage railroad property or trespass on federal railroad land since that can be elevated to a felony. Not to mention, there is always serious risk of injury or death. Personally, I think people should just stay away from this as its almost always connected to drug use and theft, which a lot of the young homeless train hoppers can easily get involved with once they start running out of food and money. Up to now, I have never seen anything good come from train hopping. The cases I have personally been involved with wound up being someone dead, maimed, or sent to jail or prison, some on felony charges. Thats my two cents.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Well that’s something. My perspective is that there are always people who either can’t or won’t fit with the normal workaday world, who have wanderlust or train-on-the-brain or some other malady. They’re going to ride trains, or live in a van, or find some other fairly marginal existence. They’ll do that or die. They might do both, and I’ve seen plenty of that. Given that these people exist, and are going to try something that’s obviously dangerous, no matter what cautionary tales they’re told - they may as well have some useful information. I’ve never been one to make this life seem like some kind of Disneyfied fairytale. Often it’s more like the original folktales. Poison apples, trolls under bridges, and no Prince Charming to be found. I’d prefer that our protagonist has a fighting chance.

[@BruceGordon925]

Riding the "Highline" in the 90's Many a bodies found along the tracks. Street justice for some I expect. Kids robbing riders. Really don't know it can really go wrong.

[@andrewmacauley1918]

My self defense martial art of choice is Wing Chun. It’s been a while since I practiced but it’s fast, overwhelming and dirty. It’s so dangerous that they don’t even have professional tournaments for it. I recommend everyone learn it. Me and my little brothers also used to put batteries in socks as kids that works too.

[@johnscherf1228]

Martial Arts is a great sport! Love it! New to me, batteries in socks? Thanks for the useful idea!

[@cjbotts]

lol

[@TarotLadyLissa]

I'll never understand how anyone could gain pleasure from hurting another person, sans consenting adults of course! I've just stumbled upon your channel and enjoy your commentary. You mentioned "brandy Wine". I'm in NE Ohio, it's a small world!

[@connectingthepieces4845]

I wrestled most of my early teen years and through highschool at a pretty good level. And since I was 17 I've trained at a pretty hardcore jiu jitsu gym on and off since then and I'm 29 now. I'm very competent at putting people to sleep or breaking bones. But I still think I scratch the surface on adrenaline pumped street violence. It baffles me how capable THINK they are at violence when they have no real reason to be.

[@PitchBlackForge]

It’s probably always been this way, but a lot of guys think they can handle themselves because they watch people fight on tv. With rules. And a ref. One on one. The list of confounding factors out in the real world is ENDLESS. And a lot of people have never been punched in the face or grabbed by someone who knows what he’s doing.

[@ShaneEngelbrecht-mm9pg]

Brilliant advice, right on the mark, thanks

[@flameworkclerk]

Keep up the content bro your killing it.

[@Jambalaya-82]

What’s up my man! Good to see your video today! ~clenchknives

[@ultragear207]

Youre a real one man, the real kind of man thats way too hard to find nowadays. The kind of man thats going away. God bless you and stay safe

[@reyscottm9]

I appreciate your speaking the hard truths. I'm a fat tub of a goo (also disabled) but I have to do better.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Brother we all have to do better.

[@zicoxp]

Icelandic drunken farmer. … words that I would not expect to hear together

[@PitchBlackForge]

Yeah I was as surprised as anyone. 2am, sleeping in a rented car on a turn-off in the middle of nowhere. Evidently it was on the border of this guy’s land, and he was pissed. He ran around the car, banging on all the windows. We thought it was multiple people. Nope. One drunk, with his wife trying to stop him. He was yelling about us “scaring his sheep.” I just slapped him hard in the face a few times while holding his collar. He stayed mad until he realized there was a woman in the car with me, and he had scared her. Then he acted ashamed and tried to apologize. He had his fist pulled back until that moment, but never had the nerve to swing. So it was more of a scuffle than a fight.

[@iReturnV1deotapes]

On the topic of backpacks, have you been keeping up at all with new ultralight space age materials? What is your opinion of them? I've really been skeptical of such fabrics coming from a long time canvas and leather user, but I can't get past how some of these thru hikers can hike half way across the country with a bag made out of Dyneema or Ultra 200 and it still remains in one piece. And losing the extra 2 or 3 pounds is really tempting.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Silnylon and Dyneema are great for things like organizing pouches inside a main pack. But I’ve worn holes in thick cordura while traveling. Weird things happen. Like having to hide in a storm drain and hooking your foot to your pack (like a sniper uses a drag bag) to pull it in after you. My bag gets thrown off trains onto ballast pretty regularly, since I generally get off a train on the fly and having the pack on is a hazard. Way safer to dismount without it. I wouldn’t trust an ultralight bag for that.

[@iReturnV1deotapes]

@@PitchBlackForge Shared sentiments. Keep up the great work man, love watching your stuff.

[@garyhost1830]

Gday from auatralia mate, your newest suscriber here. You seem smart, articulate, fit and well shaved. Not what i was expecting from a train rider. I live out of my 4x4 half the year by choice so i totally get the being smart enough to do anything but choosing to live a lifestyle that most find odd. I would of assumed you would have less dramas then most riders because of the attributes i mentioned before and not being a drug addict (i assume). Im lucky in australia its a lot less violent

[@PitchBlackForge]

America is a violent place sometimes . But I’ve been in some dumb situations overseas as well. These days I mostly live in one place, and Trainhopping is less a part of my life than when I was younger . I still ride sometimes, but mostly I’m on here to give some words of warning and make it easier for those who do go out on the road.

[@garyhost1830]

@@PitchBlackForge thanks for putting out awesome content. Im devouring it as we speak. Hope ya have a great day

[@1683clifton]

If you become a homeguard you'll catch beef. If you stay moving and humble, better option. Carry accordingly if you can.

[@adamedwards2261]

New sub here. You totally remind me of myself like a long lost brother. Haha. Thanks for all the info and insight. I’ll be back. Much appreciated brother 🤙🏻🇺🇸⚔️

[@llfalldown]

Look forward to these talks

[@OsakaSyndrome]

Thank you for sharing this wisdom with us, sir.

[@AustereEchadh]

Ok. Now im ready for action

[@craigkuzniasz279]

Well articulated 100 % true you have been there

[@behindthespotlight7983]

15:40 full stop, brother. God bless you man

[@Brenden083]

I rode trains for a decade or so. Was the best of times and the worst. Saw a guy get sent to the ICU under a bridge in Chicago, alcohol, drug induced violence. I think the offender's name was little bear... Was over a decade ago. Lots of POS on the rails. No conscience, vile behavior. I loved riding, seeing the country, and the adventure. But the scumbaggery was endless... So glad i escaped that life.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@Brenden083 I saw some of this as well. But I mostly have traveled solo, have always been straight edge, and I avoided people around yards who seemed extra sketchy. I’d see groups of kids show up with ill-behaved dogs and a bunch of booze, and say to myself, “NOPE.” Get on the train without letting them know I even exist, and watch them recede into the distance as the train leaves without them.

[@rogerloess2379]

Straight up wisdom in this vid. Violence is like a gravitational constant. Know it’s out there, and prepare accordingly. Protect yourself and others from it. Btw, do you say don’t hitch/hop with guns because of legal ramifications? That’s what makes sense to me if you are already breaking the law. But otherwise I’d like to have my j frame

[@PitchBlackForge]

I don’t carry a gun mostly because of legality - you’re going to get caught riding trains . That’s inevitable. A knife can be discarded or explained. A firearm can’t. I have no moral opposition to people carrying.

[@boyznthewoodz770]

Situational awareness and the ability to come off innocent yet confident are the best self defense mechanisms. Being a good runner also helps. I’m not macho to the point of needing to prove my honor to knuckleheads. just leave the situation, or don’t be in it in the first place.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Agreed, generally. Sometimes you don't have much of a choice to fight. Then it's your job to win. Decisively.

[@ProCactus]

I appreciate your knowledge, thanks for the advice. Got me to sub. 👍

[@PitchBlackForge]

Thank you.

[@bauhnguefyische667]

When you take chances the response can be chances. It’s gambling.

[@PitchBlackForge]

It is. The deck is stacked differently in different situations, but it’s always gambling.

[@paconrail1238]

Good advice even if you're not a rider. Our society is going down hill fast.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Agreed.

[@SaBuCheee]

​@@PitchBlackForge why is it foolish to carry a fire arm? If (god forbid) you do happen to find yourself in a dangerous place at the wrong time, all the training in the world isnt going to save from a group of 5 dudes with knives. I'd rather carry a glock on my appendix and smoke someone than get murdered by some punk. Im not sneering at martial arts tho, I think learning to throw hands is a must also. But again unless you're a ufc fighter you're probably not going to throw hands against a group and win, especially if they are bigger than you.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@SaBuCheee you're more than welcome to carry whatever you want. If you ride trains, though, you're going to have encounters with law enforcement. You're going to get caught, and detained, and if you've got a gun you're definitely going to jail. I've been detained a bunch of times. I have always had a knife. a knife can be explained away. Not a firearm.

[@SaBuCheee]

@@PitchBlackForge ooooh ok I see. That makes sense.

[@GoofingoffwithJoshandRachel]

My new fear is being sided on a 48 in the desert with my wife when a gang comes to open up the cars n steal

[@PitchBlackForge]

And it’s actually possible, though for some reason the robberies seem to be confined to areas near the big cities. We all know there are yards that are full during holidays and very long strings will be sided out in BFE for more than 24 hours… I haven’t heard of people popping open the cans on these trains, but it could happen.

[@matt1730]

Shout out to Raul and Ed. Good dudes to train with.

[@PitchBlackForge]

I’ve trained with Ed. Raul is on the list for sure.

[@seanlavender1336]

Great video

[@Sicknvicious]

there was a group in 90's SFSF. San Francisco Scum Fuxs . They were riders on the west coast primarily . They had a branch in seattle too

[@PitchBlackForge]

Some of them rode. But the rules for joining SFSF included living in Golden Gate Park for over a year straight if I remember correctly. So they’re weren’t all that mobile.

[@Sicknvicious]

@@PitchBlackForge yeah initially then after the leader od they changed like most

[@MichaelPayne-qn8bb]

Do you ever ride anymore?

[@PitchBlackForge]

I rode 2k miles last fall to visit a friend and forge some swords.

[@benjiholmes7269]

Would like to hear a little bit of graff stories sometime. I got into trains and still learning the ropes of riding all because of graffiti.

[@PitchBlackForge]

There’s not a lot to tell. I was never a writer, but i went out with friends a few times to help or do wheat pasting. I do have a moniker, but that’s a separate world from regular graffiti. The incident I reference here is from a really long time ago - I got robbed along with BORF and another friend, the singer for Ilsa. Seems like a lifetime ago.

[@benjiholmes7269]

The fact you use the word writer instead of tagger or graffiti artist told me that you know what’s up. I’m sure I’ve seen your streaks without even knowing it’s you. First boxcar I rode that was empty and opened, I got inside and put my stuff in the corner and I look up on the inside wall and saw a streak from that guy who does those old civil war cannon ball cannons. Dated 2009. I knew it was meant to be. Virginia Zeke, Waterbed Lou, and Mr.Bass are some my favorites that come to mind rn. See a lot of Woofy Woods recently.

[@thegoldenpathh]

​@@benjiholmes7269 I recently found a Virginia Zeke memento tag, while I was writing some things on a train here in michigan

[@HEAVENTWA]

I've never hopped a train, but if I did such, I would try to find out whether the police are allowed to frisk me for know reason wherever I was. I took two hours of private knife fighting instruction and made a video of it because otherwise I would have forgotten all of what I was shown and I've watched knife fighting instructional videos on KZbin, but before that, I'd felt that I pretty much know how to knife fight from having taken boxing lessons for twentysomething years. In a nutshell, what I'm trying to say is that by taking boxing lessons, you could probably kill two birds with one stone by not only learning how to defend yourself when you're unarmed and to beat someone up, but also to fight with a knife.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Stop and frisk laws are very rare, and exceedingly unpopular. NYC had them under Giuliani, but no more. And boxing training may help you if you’re the one with the knife, but if your opponent closes the distance, has some grappling experience, and is the one who is armed… you’re done. Boxing is great, but training is incomplete without some kind of clinch and groundwork.

[@HEAVENTWA]

@@PitchBlackForge Clinching is the one thing I never learned to do in boxing. I figure it would be best to learn boxing, muay thai, wrestling, judo, jiu jitsu and old timey pugilism clinches. I heard that Dutch kickboxers years ago lost to muay thai fighters because the Dutch Kickboxers didn't know what to do against the muay thai fighters' clinching techniques. I figure people also need to know how to block all the kicks there are and to defend against tackles.

[@pauliedweasel]

If you trespass on railroad property you will be subject to search and frisk at the very least and will most likely be arrested.

[@HEAVENTWA]

@@pauliedweasel I meant that if I hopped trains and went all over the country, I would find out in advance which states that I was traveling to have laws that let the police stop and frisk people who haven't committed a crime. E.g., like if I'm sitting on a park bench, walking down the street, coming out of a public bathroom either indoors or outdoors.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@pauliedweasel you will most likely not be arrested. I would know. I've done this A LOT.

[@Bonserak23]

Wrong way crew?

[@PitchBlackForge]

Never seen ‘em. Like I said, there are inevitably some crews on the rails. You’re more likely to find trouble with locals. Even when the FTRA was around, they were mostly busy going from state to state to collect benefits and get drunk. Being mobbed up on a train isn’t as simple as it used to be, either. Mini wells instead of 48s makes a huge difference.

[@Bonserak23]

@@PitchBlackForge I've been riding the rails on and off for over a decade and never had any real problems with any crews and what not, maybe some locals, well obviously but that was mostly my fault LoL. Like the time I almost got shot in Huston by a crackhead or the weird Chuck Norris looking guy in Montana with his big native friend that I guess goes around town on a Friday night looking to beat up people. But for the most part just about everyone has been nice out there not that nothing has the chance to go sideways at any moment like breaking my leg last year in Louisville but I don't travel to be stressed out I just like to get my drift on.

[@pauliedweasel]

When you trespass on railroad property and botch illegal rides on freight trains and get injured it’s all on you and I feel no sympathy. I spent 26 years working for the railroad and I’ve had to clean up messes that these trespassers have created. I really wish they’d bring back the old railroad bulls to deal with this problem.

[@kirkgoshert7876]

good luck seeing that wish come true. I am surprised that many more people do not engage in this activity. always amazed me that the RRs do not have guards riding in DP units.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Buddy the railroad cares about you exactly as much as they care about me. I’ve been riding for 20 years, and I’ve watched as you’ve been saddled with every shitty union deal and downsizing effort imaginable. My dad was a railroader for 20 years. So I remember him coming home when his friends lost jobs to EOTD’s. Now they’re pushing for one-man crews. The old hump towers are empty. And you’re all bent out of shape about tramps. Get your priorities straight.

[@kaminky228]

The railroad companies are evil asf pal

[@kirkgoshert7876]

@@kaminky228 they are God's chosen companies.