Trainhopping talk / getting caught.

You’re a criminal now. If that possibility is a problem for you, then stay home. #trainhopping #stealthcamping #vagabond #hobo

[@craigwiester9177]

Trespassing on railroads is dangerous and illegal. Please stop promoting this behavior.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Now I’m going to promote it even harder.

[@Yeppo_]

Cry.

[@rua.mfx.12]

bro you were defo the typpa kid who snitched on people when they skipped school 💀

[@The_Conspiracy_Analyst]

stop leaving dumb comments

[@kiokayx]

no shit sherlock but it’s a hobby and way of life to most

[@addisontaylor7941]

Crazy how many ppl are butt hurt over a guy sharing his experience riding trains

[@PitchBlackForge]

Agreed. It always looks like jealousy / resentment masquerading as moral outrage. They’re boring, and want everyone else to be as miserable as they are.

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

Best to assume that one will be caught sooner or later riding freight trains. I’ve been crazy lucky, have never been convicted, although I did get a ticket once that was dismissed. Unless it’s too hot, which often it is, I wear a set of light weight dark blue coveralls from Dickies. It makes it much easier to keep my clothes clean, provides warmth when it’s cold and adds a layer of protection from all the things that might damage clothing, thorns, etc. The main drawback is they take up space and add weight to an already too heavy pack. Take care and thanks for the video.

[@GoofingoffwithJoshandRachel]

Got a thumbs up from some workers unhappy that they were just acquired by CP!!

[@terrytowner419Honey]

Love your videos to. Blue coveralls that’s a KFC thing,

[@ericcook8422]

I don't particularly ride freight trains anymore. Only did it a couple times when I was a teenager. But I do frequently trespass on train tracks. But one thing to take into consideration with folks who live in big cities. The tracks make it easy to travel. It's flat and usually a straight shot. I've only been confronted by railroad police once and I think they were looking for someone that didn't look like me. All he said was stay off the tracks. Appreciate your video.

[@seanwitt2463]

As a conductor for BNSF doing a roll by, if I saw you, if I couldn’t get the car number or the next car number, I’ll count the cars to the end. Then let them know it 15 cars from the rear.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Of course BNSF would call it in. Least friendly of the big 4. Beautiful routes, though.

[@swilhelm3180]

Isn't it peaceful walking the tracks? A straight line going far.....dreamy. Also the crunching of the rocks beneath your feet is almost hypnotic. I used to walk dogs off leash with them roaming around sniffing out anything and everything along the way, along the grass beside the train tracks. It was so great. Never got stopped or hassled. We'd go for miles. They loved that freedom. Then you come into the city and see people walking on concrete with their dog short leashed beside them, both looking miserable. Lesson learned. Thank you dogs!

[@bobbobsin3202]

Train surfed a manifest in the east bay area and was called in. Train slowed down too much and that allowed me to get the fock off and avoid the people waiting for me at an amtrak station i could see well before getting close.....and of course they were the cops.🎉

[@PitchBlackForge]

What kind of car were you riding, and how were you seen?

[@wmrustycox]

A few decades ago there was a loosely associated cgroup" killing people that rode trains illegally. I was in law enforcement at the time and can remember reading about this group and the high number of deaths attributed to them.

[@PitchBlackForge]

That was one person in the FTRA. He’s serving two life sentences. The rest of the crew disbanded then.

[@GoofingoffwithJoshandRachel]

Had a train raided by swat on hiline when they were looking for him

[@edgein3299]

@@PitchBlackForge I think there was one guy trying to get the group back together. Remember seeing some of his videos. But I assume that he wasn’t able to do it due to the bad publicity surrounding the FTRA as I haven’t seen any videos in a few years.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@edgein3299from what I’ve seen, that guy is busy doing pretty great work rescuing large birds of prey now. Not sure anyone was interested in joining the old crew, resurrected, but his current thing is eagles. Way cooler.

[@edgein3299]

@@PitchBlackForgeYes. Just did some research. He rescues eagles now and train riding just serves as a means of getting from one place to another. I remember seeing some of his videos and it just seemed like he had a gang mentality trying to recruit people. Still remember him having online battles with Stu the Jew. Happy to see he’s at peace with himself discovering his true calling in life and leaving the past behind.

[@ashevilletrainman6989]

I’ve locked eyes with a MOW guy in a highrail truck. Rolled on. Still think of that guy.

[@HikingWithTumTum]

Do you have a gear video? If not should definitely do one. Seems lots of train riders don’t go lightweight when it comes to carrying stuff. Cool video man love from Canada

[@PitchBlackForge]

The first of these train talk videos goes over some of the gear I carry. I will likely do a full roll-out and explanation of what I’m carrying on this upcoming trip next month.

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

Facts ! Thanks for keeping things real.

[@Lynchfan88]

I just discovered your channel and this was my first vid. Excellent info. I've told plenty of people..stay off freight car roofs and stay out of gondolas as in a gondola you can be spotted in a second from an overpass not to mention gondolas are often filled w/metal debris and you can get hurt.

[@charliewatts6895]

So true. There were some young fellas riding in an open gondola carrying steel beams. The load shifted and a couple of them were killed. Extremely dangerous. Shoestring Hobo talks about that. Gondolas are also dirty and you may come out looking pretty rough.

[@black_eagle]

How about wearing coveralls on the train and taking them off when you need to run or look clean in town? Good video.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Having worn coveralls for work, I can attest that they’re great. But if you’ve got a whole other set of clothes underneath, you’re going to overheat in the summer. Maybe a good option in winter, but there’s also the convenience of reversible jackets. Snugpak makes a reversible puffer, and there are some other decent options out there. One of my old friends who was very clean when not actively riding would keep his “town” clothes in one of those clear bags that you lay clothes flat in and then roll up and seal without any air. Worked very well. He also used more of the ultralight camping stuff so he could live for months at a time out of a college kid backpack.

[@TerraExplorations]

That was a nice lil walk n' talk down the tracks, and thank you for taking us with you! nice to see ya making videos again✌🏼

[@PitchBlackForge]

More to come!

[@M.R.T.V.Videos]

One of the few traveling things i have never done . Yet....

[@detroitshadowlands]

My great-grandad worked for Chessie System, and my great-uncle retired from CSX. Train hopping, while exciting, is extremely dangerous given the risk of derailment, among other things.

[@johnwick-ii6il]

At least in Washington state, the law requires an informative warning by authorities for simple trespass on railroad property. Before a criminal trespass charge can be issued upon your second violation. Even if you are initially involved and charged with other crimes during your first trespass , a warning must be first issued before a trespass charge can be leveled against you. The warning must come from the authorities...Not the land / railroad owner to be considered valid. in meeting the requirement. for formal charges upon your second offense. In other situations and areas, signage or civilian witness testimony may be enough to warrant a charge. DYOR.

[@mikew3194]

First ones free in Wa, got it. Nah I'll fact check but that's cool of em.

[@theoutdoorchannel9283]

Very true it already has happened to me bro holy shit everything you said is true 💯 unbelievable! Eventually yea were all gonna get caught jajajaja

[@rua.mfx.12]

probably never goina trainhop myself as i live in Ireland and the freight trains dont run frequently here. but id really like to try it one day

[@NotDavidTrains]

Come to the UK and go to the heritage railways, you can stick your head out the windows of the old mk1, 2 and 3 coaches

[@zeuserrikkian4475]

Have an safe ride. Cheers.

[@imonearthnow1903]

Professional jumpers do not stand on grainers or any car for that matter. That is called high linning and we are never that stupid. My tag is Sidetrack and you'll not see it anywhere on public property. I am unseen and know timetables and train routes like the back of my hand. I'm a ghost. 35 years old and been riding since I was 19. I have never been caught but have great stories of close calls and slipping away. I don't drink or do drugs and I keep my friend circle to a select few. You will never see me on the rails or in a hobo camp but I am there.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Sidetrack, as a moniker, was taken a very long time ago. He’s serving two consecutive life sentences.

[@imonearthnow1903]

Lol. You got me. You've got a good channel with notable content. Never miss it.

[@bruderschweigen1259]

PROFESSIONAL JUMPERS? WTF,, NEVER HAVE I HEARD FREIGHT TRAIN RIDER USE. EVER. OLD TIMERS WHEN I STARTED IN THE MID 70S CALLED RIDING FREIGHT , NOT TRAIN HOPPING .. NEVER USED. YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING VETERAN RIDERS ( ANOTHER TERM USED FOR RIDING FREIGHT) THEY DON'T RIDE TOPSIDE. ==DRIFTER==

[@Bobbob-qe7pf]

A phantom of the rails -!!

[@Lucifer-ou4pw]

Great video! I'd love to hear more on the consequences of getting caught and the best action to take to avoid jail time.

[@PitchBlackForge]

Usually they just run your ID to make sure you don't have a warrant, then let you go. But I ride responsibly, and don't ever have alcohol with me, as I don't drink at all. I've been caught a bunch of times and never got more than a ticket. That being said, there's always the possibility of the cop wanting to teach you a lesson. Be respectful, be polite, and hope for the best. If you're caught because you're doing something extra dangerous, expect to go to jail.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@lifequest7453maybe you’re speaking about the “Yard Boys” video that’s got a lot of views on YT. Those guys had no idea what they were doing. And BNSF isn’t playing around. Least friendly of the Big 4. They had time to ditch and hide in the woods. Could have escaped. To me, they looked foolish. A cautionary tale. And I’m sure they never rode freight again, which is fine by me.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@lifequest7453they had a really bizarre combination of not taking the consequences of getting caught seriously at all, and then wanting to cry when they spent part of a night in jail. One of them was especially unbearable.

[@TROBassGuitar]

​​@@lifequest7453y'all get pulled off, if your friendship is ruined by that y'all werent that good of friends, it's just another day, I don't do it anymore, but there's always someone who is looking, taking a piss, just happens to pass a crossing at an inopportune time. I mean jail sucks, I only had to go once (technically) but it's a pretty common occurrence a long with throwing out your shit The cops threw my banjo, i had a (I believe it's called) swedish jumper pack and 5 years of memories in it tossed. Along with my clothes and boots. I mean things happen the road can be rough

[@Zulutime44]

I worked for the UPRR from 1965 to 1968. I once met a special agent in a yard in LA. He was young and liked to show off his J-frame S&W pistol, spinning it around like a cowboy. Those years imprinted me with much railroad lore and lingo. Oh yeah

[@PitchBlackForge]

Those j-frames are cool as hell, and I bet you saw some interesting things out there.

[@harry2928]

Hiked on different tracks many times over 52 years. 98% of time in broad daylight, a few times late at night. I'm not including old derelict abandoned tracks. Active tracks mostly in Ohio. Once in Montana, upstate New York, & Georgia. No one ever confronted me, even when strangers or front porch sitters sat there watching passively. Local cops even drove past a couple times but didn't give a damn apparently. Guess it's amateur's luck er somethin. Always knew it was illegal, but nobody seems to care if you're not tampering with tracks or otherwise acting strange.

[@PitchBlackForge]

The only bad luck I’ve had is the one university cop, who told me he was just sitting there all day handing out tickets to everyone he saw walking the tracks. He must have had a quota to meet, was lazy, and an absolute asshole.

[@conrail666]

Wish i could say more but most units have a counter that will tell the engineer when the car is close to the crossing

[@PitchBlackForge]

I’ve always figured there was a device for this, especially since you hear them talk on the radio about taking the train forward or back a certain number of car lengths.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@destitute8493I’m aware of the tech, and there are trackside scanners all over the place. But I’ve never seen a maintenance of way crew using one of the handheld scanners, and they’re the ones who have generally spotted me. Locked eyes and I knew I was getting called in. No downward glance to check the screen of a device. Just him pointing and announcing to a coworker.

[@appliedengineering4001]

You know what's crazy about hoboing is. Is it use to be legal about 30 years ago. I used to hobo a train between Pasco WA and Spokane WA about twice a week, and you could actually sit on a flatbed and enjoy the view without the fear of getting busted.

[@wickedflagon]

Ever catch one from Eastern WA to west of the Cascades?

[@rons3103]

PBF, I thought this was one of your most interesting responses in the comments: "I've been caught a bunch of times and never got more than a ticket." "Perhaps it's time you tried a new profession. What I mean is, you don't seem to be a very good...." Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption (Thought it almost seem to fit) 😂😂

[@PitchBlackForge]

Over 80,000 miles on freight. One ticket. $50. A few cops or railroad employees have wagged their fingers at me. That’s not a bad record.

[@adib396]

Nice little video. I think you have to possess balls of steel to Freight train ride. Ive seen a few guys on KZbin do it around Europe...aside from the obvious danger factor to yourself, I can't see it as a viable option in the UK...or worth getting caught forhere...but I certainly see the appeal in places like the states and europe.

[@swilhelm3180]

As soon you started talking I thought "this guy knows this very, very well". Great presentation and very well balanced. No hype, no shocked thumbnail, just excellent information from a very experienced person who did his time on the train. This is what the internet used to be like. Great info....shared. For everyone's benefit. You're one in 10,000 (or more!).

[@demil3618]

Crazy that this is criminal.

[@MatureIndividual1]

Thanks dude plan on getting some dad lore when I turn 18 so any advice is appreciated.

[@Derrick-dm6ym]

Just seen your vid and subscribed also love this vid...thanks

[@kennethprice5628]

Hopped a freight in Houston after getting hauled off night before, spent the night in jail, saw a guy bad mouth cops, 6 beat the shit outta him, released next morning, panhandled enough for 12 pak of beer, hopped the train, had to crawl into hole over axles to hide...they were looking, never got me, bad bulls in San Antonio

[@PitchBlackForge]

Never a good idea to talk shit to cops. And my experience of trainhopping is a lot different than most. I’ve never panhandled, and I don’t drink.

[@somethingunscripted]

Has anyone tried bribing the rail workers?

[@PitchBlackForge]

I doubt it. Not in the US, at least. I feel like the ones who would turn you in would still turn you in, and those who wouldn’t snitch would be offended that you tried to bribe them. South of the border and in much of the third world, bribes are normal, though.

[@somethingunscripted]

@@PitchBlackForge Thanks for the information! Love your videos

[@Weshole5W]

There are 2 kinds of rail workers. Ones that are by the book and turn you in and the other kind like myself are gonna wave and tell you have a good trip.

[@sroevukasroevuka]

I've seen trainhopoers when I was train watching, I didn't call them in. None of my business.

[@geico1975]

Are they simply "trespassing" charges pretty much, like on misdemeanor level or can they be felonies, jail time etc?

[@PitchBlackForge]

Misdemeanor. Trespassing, or more rarely, “theft of services.”

[@mikew3194]

@@PitchBlackForge trespass in/on conveyance for the pinky up states

[@ashevilletrainman6989]

@@PitchBlackForgeI’ve only heard from cops , that they could add up all the cost of stopped trains and charge ya with that. Never heard of it actually happening tho.

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@ashevilletrainman6989cops love making shit up. .

[@nevertoopoortotour.3033]

Rule #1

[@PitchBlackForge]

Rule #1 is don’t be an oogle. That takes care of most of the rest.

[@ExtremeCleanoutSolutions]

What's the point of train hopping? Travel? You can get a bus ticket real cheap and not risk your life so much.

[@PitchBlackForge]

If you don’t get it, you don’t get it. There’s no point in explaining.

[@outdoorvideoswithbrad]

Cool man, I like your outlook of victimless crimes, I don’t train hop, walked tracks before tho lol, I’ve been caught camping in areas that are off limits but not on anyone’s personal property, the guy let me go freely, he said I knew what I was doing lol

[@TriableChain552]

That is crazy how this video was recommended after my first and maybe only attempt. I jump on right while it was moving but I was to uncomfortable to climb the later fully as the train was rocking, so I got off and was gotta wait for a very very slow train or stopped train, another train comes but it’s going the opposite direction I wanna go so I’m chilling, but that train stopped I figured it was to let another train go by or something. Next thing I know I hear a fourweeler in the woods where I was sitting and I panicked hard I tried to cross the other side of the tracks but saw it was very swampy then quickly went back to the other side and found very thick grass with throwns , I laid there for an hour and a half, the dude on the fourweeler was an officer I believe and was walking all along woods and tracks, the train started to slowly row the officer watched the train go by checking every cart. Finally officer gave up I guess and I dipped. But wait there’s more my way back to the car here comes a duckin helicopter with a bright ass light , it went back and forth in the woods I was in somehow didn’t see me either, I finally got out that was the longest adrenaline rush I ever had just hiding. Idk if I wanna attempt again since I was so close to being caught

[@TriableChain552]

I kinda typed that really fast hope it made since

[@kenharbin3440]

@TriableChain552 There are bulls (railroad cops) and there are federalized bulls. Normal bulls drive white Chevy Blazers, blue polyester pants with a yellow stripe, etc., and will only chase you so hard, generally off property. Federalized bulls dress paramilitary, cargo pants tucked into their black military style boots, tshirt with a printed badge, tach vest, quads, and they can call in a sheriff helicopter. Regular bulls are easily distracted by throwing donuts towards them, federalized bulls will chase you, and chase you, and chase you. They are relentless. I've run into these types, I figured hiding deep in the jungle would be safe as bulls usuallywont go far in, I was wrong. 4 of them on quads arrived, they had a general idea of where I was hiding and started a grid pattern search. Kept getting pushed farther back until I was blocked by an old canal. With no bridge for over a mile each direction I decided to swim across to escape to the canal towpath and start walking east. I'm well off property by a mile now, and here they come flying down the towpath. Now I shimmy down the steep river bank, climb into the water and hide under an overhanging willow tree. This whole event played out over about 2 hours. You are lucky, these guys hate to give up.

[@markwatkins7296]

If they using heat sensors scan every car goes by got you

[@PitchBlackForge]

This doesn’t happen. There are sensors for overheated brakes. None for people. Border patrol has scanners / portals (360 degree visual and x-ray) plus dogs. That’s it. Nothing of the sort is to be found scattered around the US. But the rumors persist, because uninformed people repeat them.

[@raginroadrunner]

what is riding a train hurt? the railroads get get federal funding. this is a prime example of fat cat abuse

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

Thank you for the tips! Could you make a video on how to track trains ect?

[@PitchBlackForge]

I honestly never did much of the tracing. I started doing this when we didn’t have cel phones. No scanner. I’ll trace a car sometimes but that’s not my go-to.

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

@@PitchBlackForge cheers. I’m new to all this and want to make my way across the country, so every little bit of advice helps lol

[@PitchBlackForge]

If you’re just starting, I think you should get used to the possibility of getting on the wrong train. If you figure out what yard to leave from, where to catch out in that yard, how to board the thing safely, and you wind up on a train that does work somewhere… that’s part of the deal. This ain’t Amtrak. Not trying to be rough here, but setbacks are part of the deal. You’ll have to switch trains. You’ll occasionally get stranded and have to walk or hitch.

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

@@PitchBlackForge thank you for the honest advice, appreciate it. Please keep up with the vids, hope to see you on the road someday