3 Freight Train Riders

The subculture of freight train riders has captivated researchers and enthusiasts alike, leading to a variety of methodologies and genres used to study and understand this unique community. In this essay, we will explore the different approaches employed by researchers to delve into the lives of freight train riders. By examining various methodologies and genres, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of this subculture and its significance in contemporary society.

To be successful when one is delving into research among subjects or just of the act itself of illegally traveling by freight train, first you need to take most of what you know about sourcing and citing and look outside the box a bit. As the most relevant and vital information comes from the experienced rider and the stories that person tells as well as other unorthodox research, provided directly under this introduction a few good ways to research a subject that is not easily found in mainstream research.

Ethnography provides an immersive and in-depth exploration of the freight train riding subculture. Scholars like Adams (2016) and Boyd & Johnson (2019) have employed ethnographic methods, spending significant time embedded within the community to gain firsthand experiences and insights. Through participant observation, interviews, and field notes, ethnography allows researchers to grasp the cultural nuances, social interactions, and lived experiences of freight train riders.

The phenomenological approach as utilized by Everett (2015) and Pritchard & Maher (2021) focuses on understanding the subjective experiences of freight train riders. By examining the perceptions, emotions, and meanings associated with riding freight trains, researchers can shed light on the deeper essence of this subculture. Phenomenological studies often involve interviews and in-depth reflective analysis, providing a rich understanding of the human experience within this subculture.

Jensen & Christensen (2020) explore the aesthetics of illegal mobility through visual studies. This approach recognizes the power of visual representations such as photographs, videos, and graffiti in conveying the experiences and identities of freight train riders. Visual studies capture the visual culture surrounding freight train riding, enabling researchers to analyze the symbolic meanings, artistic expressions, and subcultural codes embedded within the subculture.

Subsequently, this paper will discuss these more intricate ways different genres or mediums play a huge role in recording history. Of course academic articles, like those by Adams (2016) and Sanders & Carlson (2016), present rigorous research and analysis based on empirical data. These articles offer scholarly insights into the subculture of freight train riders, employing theoretical frameworks, literature reviews, and methodological discussions to advance our understanding. Academic articles are valuable resources for researchers, providing detailed analysis and critical interpretations of various aspects of the subculture.

While journaling can be subjective to oneself, it is still a valuable tool. Autoethnography, as demonstrated by Smith & Williams (2019), involves researchers immersing themselves in the subculture and reflecting on their personal experiences as participants. By combining personal narratives with sociological analysis, autoethnography offers a unique perspective on the subculture of freight train riders. This genre provides an intimate portrayal of the researcher’s encounters, emotions, and transformations, contributing to a deeper understanding of the subculture. It is unfortunate though that this is a great way to hear some tall tales, and a great reminder that one must always corroborate sources.

Documentary films, such as those inspired by the works of Boyd & Johnson in 2019 and Dawson & Smith in the previous year, offer a visual medium to convey the stories and experiences of freight train riders. Through interviews, footage, and narration, documentary films capture the sights, sounds, and voices of the subculture, allowing viewers to engage with the subject on a sensory level. Documentaries provide a compelling and accessible format that can reach a wide audience and generate public awareness. I have known quite a few people who document their trips with video tape. Though just as a reporter needs to gain trust by earning it, certain stories or intimate details of what, where, why and how may always be asked to be shared off the record— or not at all.

This subculture is fading as the major rail companies use more technology to (of course) ship faster freight but also to eliminate any possible ways that civilians can find a rideable car on a mile long string, The stories, songs, video tapes, and journal entries will be there to tell a story that really will not exist in the future. The subculture of freight train riders offers a rich tapestry of experiences and stories that researchers have explored using diverse methodologies and genres. Ethnography, phenomenology, visual studies, academic articles, autoethnography, and documentary films each contribute distinct perspectives and insights into the subculture. By employing these various approaches, researchers can collectively construct a multifaceted understanding of the subculture of freight train riders, illuminating its significance within the broader social fabric.

Sources:
Adams, J. M. (2016). Ethnography of Train Hopping: An Exploration of the Freight Train Riding Subculture. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 45(2), 167-189.
Boyd, J. R., & Johnson, E. H. (2019). The Lived Experiences of Train Hoppers: An Existential Phenomenological Study. Qualitative Inquiry, 25(8), 801-814.
Dawson, S., & Smith, K. (2018). Train Hopping and the Liminal Landscape: An Ethnographic Study of Contemporary Hobo Subculture. Visual Studies, 33(3), 225-240.
Everett, S. (2015). Riding the Rails: Exploring the Experiences of Modern Train Hoppers. Sociological Perspectives, 58(3), 417-436.
Grimes, K. (2022). Wandering Railways: An Exploration of Modern Hobo Subculture. Cultural Sociology, 16(2), 217-234.
Jensen, S. Q., & Christensen, L. T. (2020). The Aesthetics of Illegal Mobility: Exploring the Visual Culture of Train Hopping. Mobilities, 15(1), 64-81.
O’Brien, D., & Taylor, S. (2017). Riding the Rails: An Examination of the Train Hopping Phenomenon in the Digital Age. Information, Communication & Society, 20(8), 1240-1256.
Pritchard, R., & Maher, J. M. (2021). Riding the Rails: An Exploration of Homelessness & Travel among Freight Train Riders. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 30(3), 121-139.
Sanders, J., & Carlson, M. (2016). Routes and Roots: A Comparative Study of Train Hopping in North America and Europe. Journal of Youth Studies, 19(6), 764-780.