Railroad Hobo's/trespassers

Hobo Marks

Hobos have their own language that is used to warn other hobos of danger or where to get work, food and water. 

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1933 Photo of Hobos Entering a Box Car

(Courtesy of the National Heritage Museum)

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1934 Photo of Hobos Walking Down Yard Track

(Courtesy of the National Heritage Museum)

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Hobos Climbing atop Box Car

(Courtesy of the National Heritage Museum)

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Hobo Holding on atop Gondola Car

(Courtesy of Sarah White, in Search of the American Hobo, American Studies Program at the University of Virginia)

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Hobo on Tank Car

(Courtesy of Sarah White, in Search of the American Hobo, American Studies Program at the University of Virginia)

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Photo of a hobo riding in the open door of a box car.

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Young "hobo" caught riding the rails. These individuals are often in their late teens to early twenties and travel in groups of two to three.

Many are seeking adventure, or a free ride, unaware of the dangers that hoping freight trains could cause.