Train surfing is the illegal act of riding on top of train carriages, which is dangerous and can cause death or injury. Hidden dangers include low wires, loose handrails, and slack between connected train cars. Attempting to jump off a speeding train can also lead to death. It is illegal and can result in serious fines or imprisonment.
Train surfing is the term given to the act of people traveling illegally on top of train carriages. Thrill seekers hop aboard slow-moving trains and climb on top of box-style train cars. As the train picks up speed, thrill seekers position themselves on the roof of the carriages much like a surfer on a surfboard, hence the nickname surfing the train. In a typical challenge, the winner is the person who continues training the longest before getting off and jumping off the train. This type of activity is illegal throughout the world and causes the death or injury of many people each year.
There are several hidden dangers in train surfing that are not apparent to surfers. Some aerial hazards include low wires, signposts, and tunnels. Hazards such as loose handrails on train cars or loose ballast along train tracks can cause a loss of grip and cause a person to fall under the train wheels. Even slack that develops between connected train cars can cause a train car to lurch violently forward, resulting in a conductor being thrown under the wheels. Despite train workers being thoroughly educated in such conditions, many are still injured or killed each year.
In addition to the obvious dangers inherent in rail navigation, the least obvious are often the most dangerous. Simply attempting to jump off a train when it is speeding, train surfing can lead to death. Modern freight trains are increasing in speed at an astonishing rate. Within a matter of a few city blocks, a slow-moving train can operate at very fast speeds. This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to ride the train without injury, and can also cause a surfer to get stuck on a train during a long ride.
For those caught navigating the train, it can result in a serious fine and/or imprisonment. What may seem like a harmless sport is actually a life-threatening stunt, one where a slip or fall can lead to an amputation or funeral. For those who are not as familiar with train cars and their design features, attempting to board a certain car could lead to injuries stemming from the car having only one handrail or one step. On the other hand, an oil stain on the ceiling could cause a fatal fall.
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