Rare but Real: Railroad Workers Encountering Trapped Train Hoppers

Train hopping, or illegally riding on freight trains, is a dangerous and illegal activity that raises serious safety concerns. While exact statistics are scarce, it is known that railroad workers occasionally encounter individuals who have inadvertently become trapped inside freight cars. These incidents, though rare, reflect the dangers of such behavior and the importance of proper safety measures.

Risks and Incidents

Railroad companies have implemented strict safety measures, including secure locking mechanisms, to prevent unauthorized access to freight cars. However, these measures are not foolproof, and there have been instances where individuals manage to enter and become trapped within a car.

Railroad workers are trained to be vigilant and are often the first to notice when someone has accidentally become trapped. When such cases are discovered, the workers typically follow protocol to ensure the safety of the individual and notify the appropriate authorities. While these incidents do occur, they are not a common occurrence, with some workers even going decades without such an encounter.

Personal Experiences

I will share a few personal experiences based on my 20 years of working as a railroad worker. These stories highlight the rare but real nature of these incidents:

Tales from the Track

Encounter #1: The Stowaway in a Tall Gondola

One of the most noteworthy cases involved a stowaway who had hidden inside a tall gondola car for at least three days. The car was used to transport aggregate from one side of Texas to the other. The individual had to collect rainwater to survive and was too afraid to alert the authorities for fear of being arrested. Eventually, the car was about to be buried under 100 tons of rock, and the situation became critical. We called emergency services to provide medical assistance and ensure the person's safety. The individual was then taken to the hospital for dehydration.

Encounter #2: Accidental Lock-in of Teenagers

Another incident involved teenage individuals who were locked inside a mechanical refrigerator car by their peers. Fortunately, the reefer unit was shut down, allowing the young people to survive. However, had the unit been running, they would have suffered from hypothermia and hypoxia. When the door was finally opened, the two teenagers fled as quickly as possible.

Encounter #3: Tragic End of a Junkie

A more tragic incident involved a drug user who had built a makeshift den inside a covered hopper car. The plastic pellets contained within the car were stored for disaster preparedness. This individual had fallen into a state of impaired consciousness and was unable to escape through the vent hole. After a few days, the police discovered a woman who had died of complications from drug use. The recovered methamphetamine stash was enough to keep a user supplied for a week.

Precautions and Protocols

When railroad workers encounter such situations, they usually follow strict protocols. The first step is to ensure the safety of the individual, followed by notifying the appropriate authorities. Emergency services are often called to provide medical assistance or to remove the person if necessary.

Railroad companies also have procedures in place for railroad police to communicate and track trespassers who illegally hop freight cars. In case of accidents inside freight cars, the train will stop, and the police will be notified. This ensures that the trespasser can be apprehended and arrested.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while train hopping is a dangerous activity, the actual incidents where railroad workers encounter individuals who have been accidentally locked inside freight cars are rare. These rare occurrences highlight the risks associated with this illegal practice and the importance of proper safety measures. Railroad workers play a critical role in ensuring these incidents are handled with care, prioritizing the safety and well-being of everyone involved.