I believe catching the westbound was/is a hobo term for when one dies this is what happens. Does anyone know of the origins of this term[?]
I’m only guessing, but riding off into the sunset comes to mind.
Another speculation: Western states/territories have been places that people would go for a new start-the proverbial “greener grass”. Most hobos would probably have felt the afterlife was akin to that.
The big rock candy mountain is in the West.
Kurt