Freighthopping Hobos

Free - And Illegal - Transportation For Gentlemen Of The Rails

For almost two centuries, hobos have been been attempting to avoid 'greasing the tracks' (which is to get ran over by a train) while hopping freight trains to get from one town to the next.

Born out of the need to travel in search of work, the term 'hobo' is thought to have originated in the United States after the mid 19th century when the end of the American Civil War left discharged soldiers to find their way home or look for employment elsewhere.