Freight Train Riders of America facts for kids

The Freight Train Riders of America (FTRA) is a group known for traveling across America by riding in railroad cars without permission. This is sometimes called "freight hopping" or "catching out." They have been especially active in the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. Because of their activity in Canada, they are sometimes also called the Freight Train Riders of Canada (FTRC).

There are different ideas about what the FTRA is like. Some people see them as a casual group of individuals who share a similar way of life. Others have described them as a more organized group.

What is the Freight Train Riders of America?

The FTRA is made up of people who choose to travel by riding on freight trains. This way of life involves moving from place to place using the railway system. Members often say they are a loose group of people who help each other out.

How Did the FTRA Start?

Some stories say that the FTRA was started in 1984 by a group of people who had served in the Vietnam War. They supposedly formed the group in a bar in Montana.

Where Do They Travel?

Many FTRA members often travel along the BNSF Railway's Hi-Line. This long train route goes all the way from Chicago to Seattle. Along this route, they often find places to sleep in train yards, under bridges, or inside empty boxcars.

Other Groups Like the FTRA

There was also a group called the Blood Bound Railroad Gang. This group was similar to the FTRA but had a small difference: they wore red bandanas, while FTRA members usually wore black bandanas.

Are They Still Active Today?

In 2011, a spokesperson for the BNSF railway, Gus Melonas, said that the FTRA and the practice of riding and living on the rails had mostly disappeared. This suggests that their activity has greatly reduced over the years.