Hopping Freight Trains In America

by Duffy Littlejohn

The first complete how-to on riding the rails.See the continent from the inside. Learn how to travel safely on a shoestring. How, when and where to catch a train. By Daffy Littlejohn

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel

353 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I found it when I was living in a dirty punk house in Portland in a pile of books left behind by someone who probably hadn't lived there for many years. There was nothing particularly interesting in the stack, as they were the books left behind, but this one looked cool so I took it. It was amazing! It's a little bit of train-hopping "how to," a little bit of history of hobo culture, a little bit of the thrill of riding freight trains, a little bit of safety, a little bit of history of the railroad, a little bit of engineering, a little bit of geography, a little bit of North American history, a lot of adventure and a lot of magic.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy non-fiction books, but the kind of books that usually get my heart pumping and suck me into a different world are usually fiction books. Reading non-fiction is normally more for expanding my mind, challenging my opinions and adding to the body of information floating around in my head. Hopping Freight Trains in North America gave me all the excitement and sucked-in-ed-ness I would normally only get from reading fiction or memoir, but also had my brain making connections and adding stuff to my knowledge bank of ideas and facts that I normally experience with good non-fiction. It was thrilling.

I have always thought trains were awesome, but this book is single-handedly responsible for my absolute love affair with them and for my desire to see the continent by rail (preferably freight train, though if I end up being too much of a wuss to try it before I get too old and have to settle for Amtrak/ViaRail or I can always live vicariously through Duffy Littlejohn.)

*also, the edition I have is called Hopping Freight Trains in North America not just plain America. I couldn't find my edition on here or in OCLC or basically anywhere, though, and assume the name was changed along the way, and perhaps old records were lost, as I know there are several editions of this book and the cover stayed exactly the same except for the inclusion/exclusion of "North".

Probably among my favorite books of all time and definitely the random book I want to recommend to everyone.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the only and the most complete how-to on hopping freight trains (I have one other but cannot find it on goodreads). Periodically updated but when I got my copy five years ago even the latest one is several years out of date; this is relevant because merger-mania and cost-cutting have both made the amount of freight trains and rideable cars trend ever lower over the past several decades. Security is also tighter in freight yards since September 11.

I can't say that I have personal experience on this one, although there is something inside me that really wants to try this.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way more detailed than I would have expected, including an overview of both railroad and hobo history. Not detailed in a tedious way, though. From the style of it, I feel like I got all of this information sitting on a bar stool. Not sure how much has changed, especially since 9/11, but this book at least made me feel ready to live my own Sullivan's Travels.

[Rich Iurilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book that made me want to be a hobo when I was 12.

[Colvet · Rating 5 out of 5]

still relevant for dirty kids living in 2021...always pack in your bag before catching out

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it's not a rigorously scientific manual, but it sure as hell is entertaining. Not that I'm about to hop freight trains, but Mr. Littlejohn's thorough run down of how to ride a freight train safely and and adroitly makes me think I could. It's obvious he has vast knowledge and experience with the subject, and he mixes in enough sassiness and jokes to pull you through some of the boring material (how much do I really care about signal switching?) The book's got some typos, weird alignments, and Duffy's not the most spectacular writer, but a fun and informing read nonetheless.

[David Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

San Luis Obispo local Duffy Littlejohn has written a terrific handbook for the modern-day hobo. If you’re interested in starting this rewarding and inexpensive hobby, start by reading the good advice and interesting folklore here.

[Jina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned about this book from a swedish guy at a hostel in Panama. He used it to travel around the US, sometimes with disatrous results. A great how-to book written by a character of a guy who gives instruction on travelling by freight train. Is this book legal?

[Phil Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining and informative book. Just the right amount of hobo and railroad history along with everything you need to be an informed rail adventurer or an armchair adventurer. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.

[Dow Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very well detailed and informative but it does drag on and sometimes it's boring but that's when you can skip ahead.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing like this online for researching train hopping. I was so glad I found a copy. Than you Duffy Littlejohn!

[Reagen Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much more than just a retirement plan.