Back in the later 80s I was cruising up and down north broadway in Rochester Minnesota in my 79 Mustang Indy Pace car. One train stopped the action and I saw something rather interesting. Standing inside the ends of two adjoining covered hopper cars were two men riding the train wearing striped clothes like I think they wear in prisons. Later that night or the next day I call the police to report it. The gal blew me off saying there were no reports of escaped prisoners. I didn’t think of calling the DM&E at that time but should have.
Most of the covered hoppers I’ve seen are open, in the end section over the wheels. No place to stand.
Sure they werent filming a scene from “Runaway Train” ??? [;)]
Depends on manufacturer and size–there are plenty of covered hoppers that offer a comfortable place to ride in the ends. Or, in some cases, I’ve seen boards used to make it more ridable. And in one case I even saw an old overstuffed chair in there!