Author: Kasan Groupe
Freight hopping can be both incredibly liberating and immensely dangerous if you don’t take precautions. People train hop for various reasons and you’re certain to meet some interesting people on your journeys, but as a seasoned freight hopper myself, I can tell you that there are a few things that every novice jumper should be aware of before embarking on his or her first experience. Follow my tips and you’ll have a fascinating and safe trip.
Tip 1: Make sure you are wearing the appropriate apparel. You should wear dark clothing appropriate for the season. You will need a lightweight jacket, sturdy boots and durable gloves. In most cases you will have to do a lot of walking so you’ll want be prepared and as comfortable as possible. Also make sure that your backpack is dark in color as well. You will want to avoid train security, also known as “bulls” at all costs and blending in with your surroundings is the best way to do it.
Tip 2: Make sure you’ve got all the right supplies. Pack light, but always bring a dark sleeping bag or blanket, non-perishable food and plenty of water. You should also bring some sunscreen to protect your face during sunny weather. Also don’t forget to bring a map and a railroad atlas.
Tip 3: Head to a local freight yard. You may need to make friends with the yard workers to find out when trains will be coming or you can just sit and wait for train horn sounds. When you find a train that you would like to jump aboard, be very cautious when getting on. Ideally, you should always try to get onto the train before it has begun moving to reduce your risk of bodily harm. Never try to get on a moving train unless it is moving extremely slow and you are certain that you can get on safely.
Tip 4: When picking a train, try to know the schedule beforehand and try to choose a train that is making a non-stop trip. That way you are less likely to be caught by security on the way to your final destination.
Tip 5: The safest and easiest place to hide on a train is in open boxcars. You can quickly slide in without being seen in most cases. Make sure to avoid boxcars that are marked as “Bad Order” because they are in need of repair and may be dangerous for you to hide in.
Tip 6: The most dangerous part of train hopping is usually getting off the train. If you need to jump from a moving train, you should try to hit the ground running. The only way to do this is to wait for the train to slow down significantly, to a speed that you can match on the ground running. Never jump off of a high speed train because you will likely injure yourself.
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/freight-hopping-tips-for-beginners-1594713.html
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