OK, my dog and I usually go to Flatonia to railfan on Monday evenings because the wife is at Bible study and we have a couple of hours to kill. So I drive up to the pavilion, dark by now, and get out because I know an eastbound is due any minute. I keep talking to the dog, and a voice up in the pavilion says “you here to watch trains?” Well, it was dark and surprised me a bit, but I told him that yes, I was here to watch trains. He started talking about helping a crew fix a busted knuckle. I asked if he was a railroad man, and he said “no sir, I’m a hobo.” Well, it surprised me , but the train was there and I walked down the road a bit to watch wondering what I’d do next. (I WAS careful to keep a railing or two between us at all times.) He was in his sleeping bag. Anyway, when the train passed, he started talking about going west but couldn’t get a train to slow down enough to hop on. I offered to go to town to buy him a hamburger, and he thought that sounded good. So when I got back we had a nice, long visit. His name is Stan, and he’s heading to El Paso to hopefully retire. He said he was 60 and too old to hobo any more, and his heart was giving him trouble. He said he’d been hoboing since 1959. Anyway, it was one of those experiences that you’ll never forget. He was a nice fellow, and he shook my hand when I left. I may be nuts, but I wasn’t scared of him, and I don’t think he was scared of me. It was really fun talking to him, and where he’d been and what he’d seen. He may have been feeding me a line of crap, but I didn’t care, it was still interesting. One of those experiences you’ll never forget…
wow kool story, you never know if their pulling your leg or not, oh well, hey every body, go check out the post under model railroader- theres another kool hobo story!
I’ve met quite a few 'bos. Most were nothing more than people down on their luck. Nothing special. Usually, I felt sorry for them. I’d give them water in the little bottles we’d have on the engine and the occasional candy batr or sandwich if I had extra. If they were on my train I’d tell them to find someplace else to ride.
What they do is extremely dangerous to themselves and others and can interfere with the safe movement of trains. I don’t hate them, but I refuse to allow them to interfere with my responsibilities.
Dad used to share his sandwich with hobos a lot (back in the 50’s & even 60’s) and we have street people here that hang around our university campus.
I watched one dig a bouquet of flowers out of a dumpster about a block away from me. He started walking my way and when we met, he handed them to me, bowed and said “pretty flowers for a pretty lady”! (they were beautiful - a bouquet someone didn’t want to take home)
I would like to say The asre non problemtaic, But that would be a big fat lie- They are often drunk or stoned, Don’t have there witts about them are just a bloody nuisance.
the only time i ever seem them is when they are diddling about in the yard, mucking up the freight cars.
I don’t often see a hobo wqithout some kind of booze bottle or even worse, a spray paint can in his hand.
While I will agree they are easy to talk to, and would perfer to do that above all else, I do often fear that they might pull somehting and attempt to injure me. thats why I always call the security for there safe removal.
Read the newswire story from Friday (I think) of the 29 year old that the BNSF crew had to save because he jumped from another train and got his legs cut off. No glory or cool things about hoboing from where I stand.
I never really thought of hobos as the type to tag cars, I always thought that was more of a “young hooligan” thing. I guess it would make sense if they were marking their territory or something like that. And since they don’t have much else to do I guess it would pass the time…and who knows, maybe this is their idea of possibly getting an art grant from the government. Either way, more the reason to call in the police.
Well, it looks like he’s moved on. I went to talk to a friend of mine over there who is kinda the unofficial guru and keeps an eye on the place. He walked down there to the pavilion, and the 'bo was still there this afternoon. So he asked the city manager to have the chief of police to make him to leave. I have no opinion of another man’s choices in life, so I don’t really care if this guy was legit, or sniffed paint, or was a drunk, I just think it was a good life experience and interesting for me to meet someone like that. I figure there aren’t many people who can say they met a hobo, or bought him dinner.
I just wanted to add my two cents. I’m a social worker by occupation and a railfan by hobby. As a little background, I work for a non-profit that helps homeless and near homeless people find affordable and safe housing. One of the greatest things about my job are the life stories and journies that I get to hear about. I’m glad that Mike had a positive experience with that hobo. I think it’s always important to remember that we’re all human beings and we all deserve dignity and respect regardless of our social class, political affiliation, gender, sexual identity, or any drug or alcohol addictions we might have.
On another note, I totally agree that safety and respect for the railroad should always come first.
I guess just know that some people enjoy living a non-traditional life. Homeless people and hobos shouldn’t necessarily be feared or brushed aside. Be thankful for your own life situation and that you don’t need a boxcar to transport you.
I have little doubt in my mind your right. I was spray painting my Ice fishing lines Neon green, and that stuff, i’m sure it could carry out the death penalty.
Oh well, I guess I’m the [D)] here, that just goes to show you what a sheltered life I live. Plus I guess I was really looking forward to the first government sponsored hobo “artist”. Just kidding, I don’t like people tagging cars (art or otherwise), and I really can’t say that I am for huffing paint either. I’ll just stick with spray painting my models.