“Catchin´ Out” or freight-hopping has been said by some to be the last red-blooded American adventure. A cultural phenomenon that tailed the Civil War as America pushed westward and saw it´s hey-day during the Great Depression when migrant workers hopped trains seeking work, adventure, and better times to come. Nowadays, few rail riders are seeking work, but plenty are seeking adventure and a free ride.

As the economy changed and seasonal agricultural work fell into the hands of immigrants, riding the rails briefly became province to thrill-seekers. Though, after some well publicized violent crimes were attributed to a freight gang in the early 80´s known as the FTRA (Freight Train Riders of America); the rails were deserted until the anarchist-punk scene revitalized the rail riding community with people brazen enough to defy the dangers and the laws of the state.

It is highly illegal, extremely dangerous, and not recommended to anybody who doesn´t know what they´re doing.

Freighthopping is a timeless urban adventure that can take you from the sludge covered industrial sectors of Chicago to the snow capped Rocky Mountains; through the same tunnels and along the same tracks that built the industrial revolution and America. And when you find yourself looking out the boxcar doors at the expansive countryside, you just might find yourself singing the tune, “Hallelujah! I’m a bum, Hallelujah bum again..”

Here are a few videos about modern day freight-hopping.

For some more information visit:
http://www.thespoon.com/
http://www.northbankfred.com/