So last year I travelled to Canada from Australia and busted my freight hopping cherry. Since then I've been drifting around Oz as a motorcycle vagabond but I'm getting a bit tired of this scene and think I'd like to get overseas again. I loved Canada and would obviously love to get on a train again but I started thinking; where else would be a possibility for someone wanting their freight hopping fix? Here in Australia would be doable but a lot more difficult. Not as many rideable cars and far less freight by rail (maybe 1 or 2 trains a day leaving from large yards as opposed to hourly in Canada). I've seen a video from wizehop on YouTube where he does Brazil but again it doesn't seem to work too well compared to North America. I also saw an article on Facebook where someone caught a train through Africa (the Sahara from memory) in a gondola but again fuck that. Through the worlds largest fucking desert? I dunno about that.
These forums seem to be a lot more active since big fat freight hop and a lot of us seem to be travellers with a strong sense of adventure so I figured I'd put the question out there. Anyone come across any other countries where it might be an option?
These forums seem to be a lot more active since big fat freight hop and a lot of us seem to be travellers with a strong sense of adventure so I figured I'd put the question out there. Anyone come across any other countries where it might be an option?
Well, although I myself have never freight hopped, I have been looking at the activity up by NJ/NY area and Philadelphia, and I think up somewhere in Newark and southbound to Florida would be an easy hop. Of course, I've never been to the actual yard, but luckily to hop em you won't need to get into the yard. Along I-95 around New York City/Newark NJ, the trains are all intermodal or ethanol. Ethanol isn't ridable but intermodal sure as hell is. Haven't seen many suicide cars lately either. Not many people check around up there either, so I think freight hopping NJ-SOUTHBOUND would be easy. Of course, it's America so it's veeeery risky, but hey, it's a challenge and it seems fun to me.
Yeah you guys seem to have it pretty good in us/Canada. I was thinking Russia would be cool. I'd love to see such a massive country via freight train but I've been looking into it and they seem to have even less rideables than here in Aus. I think Wizehop might have done India too so that could be worth some thought
Russia actually seems rather popular for freight hopping, and The fines are only about 2.5 Euro or 3.2 USD, but I presume it's only popular as intercity transport. Though, a nice freight hop across Siberia would be wicked fun if it's possible, if not a little dangerous.
You should try something south to north Italy.
I know it is not that difficult, even if freight trains in Italy are hardly longer than 30 cars (it's easier to be spotted in those trains).
You might also get a help from me if you past by Umbria (central Italy region).
But honestly...I don't think that freight hopping is that popular here. Apart from me, the amount of help you might receive during this route could be very very low.
Basically, you'd be alone.
But landscapes are gorgeus and after February the weather gets warmer.
Don't attempt this in summer (July/August) because temperatures gets up to 44 °C 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and night are very humid and hot (+32°C)
Don't attempt this in winter (November to January) because temperatures reach around -15°C all day long and often rains cats and dogs.
A very good advice I might give you is: don't go throught Napoli or Genova, these are very busy and 24h fully operating freight stations used for transfering containers on cargo ships. Instead, ride along Adriatic see instead, throught Termoli, Senigallia and then ride across the central mountain chain to Tuscany.
Watch out, coming south from Firenze, for 40 minutes rides into several tunnels, bring a mask with you.
Still thinking about gathering informations for help.
Contact me if you are interested.
I know it is not that difficult, even if freight trains in Italy are hardly longer than 30 cars (it's easier to be spotted in those trains).
You might also get a help from me if you past by Umbria (central Italy region).
But honestly...I don't think that freight hopping is that popular here. Apart from me, the amount of help you might receive during this route could be very very low.
Basically, you'd be alone.
But landscapes are gorgeus and after February the weather gets warmer.
Don't attempt this in summer (July/August) because temperatures gets up to 44 °C 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and night are very humid and hot (+32°C)
Don't attempt this in winter (November to January) because temperatures reach around -15°C all day long and often rains cats and dogs.
A very good advice I might give you is: don't go throught Napoli or Genova, these are very busy and 24h fully operating freight stations used for transfering containers on cargo ships. Instead, ride along Adriatic see instead, throught Termoli, Senigallia and then ride across the central mountain chain to Tuscany.
Watch out, coming south from Firenze, for 40 minutes rides into several tunnels, bring a mask with you.
Still thinking about gathering informations for help.
Contact me if you are interested.
Hmmm the countryside would make for the most awesome freight hopping backdrop but are there many rideable cars in Italy?
