Bakersfield to Barstow - Riding BNSF Over Tehachapi Pass

Well, that's what it looks like, all right.

I'm not sold on folks doing the things this guy did and then publishing it on YouTube.  It can't do good things for others who photograph trains.

I concur, Tom. Hopping a freight isn't good and often ends badly. Scenery looks great, but should be seen from a cab cam or a passenger car. If I wanted footage like that, I'd get permission to strap a GoPro to the front railing of the lead unit and make a deal with the crew to recover the camera (and hope some idiot doesn't go around a set of crossing gates).

I refuse to watch this garbage, these people should be charged with trespassing for what is obviously illegal. They post video of their illegal activities online. I wish someone would find them, arrest them, and press charges against them. I mean, they have posted the illegal activity online with a time, date, and location. Sounds like a closed and shut case to me.

Sad thing is, some have died doing this, and apparently, for the fun of it ... some will know who I'm speaking of. Heaven forbid, someone watches this garbage, and thinks it's so cool, tries it, and is injured-maimed or worse, loses their life doing it. One thing, when it comes to trains and railroading, one mistake, and there are no do overs .. in many cases, it can be game over!

I've said it before, when someone on this forum posts video of this illegal activity. If these people want to experience riding a train and seeing some great scenery, buy an AMTRAK ticket, or find a job railroading.

I've been railroading for the last 28 years, I've had a good time, some fun over the years, and worked with some great people, it's been a rewarding experience.

Rusty

That "gentleman" seems to have a number of videos and quite the following.  Judging by his antics not only on moving equipment but on the ground he's pushing his luck.

I wonder how soon we'll see that he got arrested... or worse.

One of the most dangerous things I've seen.  I didn't expect it by the title of the video.   Someone has to make an example of this guy. This is bad business on so many levels.   

I'm always amazed at the outcry on how dangerous activities undertaken by rail trespassers are especially in relation to other activities.  Even if you leave in the suicides (which account for 28% of the deaths) in the US the fatality rate per 100k of population is ~.864.   Here are some other death rates of activities per 100k of population:

• Skydiving - .99
• Running - 1.03
• Cycling - 1.08
• SWIMMING! - 1.77
• Riding/Driving a vehicle - 11.22
• Base jumping - 43.17

Pretty sure all of you regularly partake in the activity listed 5th which is more than 10 times more dangerous.  Pot meet kettle and you're both the color black.

While what the poster did is certainly illegal and I'm all for him paying the penalty, it is hardly one of the most dangerous things you can do.

-Greg

@Greg Houser posted:

I'm always amazed at the outcry on how dangerous activities undertaken by rail trespassers are especially in relation to other activities.  Even if you leave in the suicides (which account for 28% of the deaths) in the US the fatality rate per 100k of population is ~.864.   Here are some other death rates of activities per 100k of population:

• Skydiving - .99
• Running - 1.03
• Cycling - 1.08
• SWIMMING! - 1.77
• Riding/Driving a vehicle - 11.22
• Base jumping - 43.17

Pretty sure all of you regularly partake in the activity listed 5th which is more than 10 times more dangerous.  Pot meet kettle and you're both the color black.

While what the poster did is certainly illegal and I'm all for him paying the penalty, it is hardly one of the most dangerous things you can do.

-Greg

Not at all a good analogy.

If the number of "trainhoppers" matched the number of skydivers or runners I suspect you'd see a BIG difference in injury and fatality statistics.

The lad who is doing the videos is young and agile yet ranks low in both experience and safety on and around railroad equipment.   He's already gotten injured once in the videos when he misjudged the speed of the trains in Mexico and slipped off the sill step. 

On a positive note, it was interesting to see that he not only got put off the train in Mexico but was later invited aboard for a cab ride by a crew who hid him in the lavatory when passing other railroaders.   The way it used to be.

I am surprised the moderators did not pull this thread do to the lack of safety concerns of the one filming the trains.