Main content

Rulebreakers: I started hopping freight trains at 17

In 2006, Mike Brodie dropped out of high school and, for the next three years, rode 50,000 miles for free on freight trains all across the US.

He took thousands of photos of his travels, which have since been published in a book and exhibited at galleries around the world.

He says the transient lifestyle is a protest, and estimates some 2,000 to 5,000 people still take part in this secretive activity in the US.

This is part of the Rulebreakers series from 成人快手 World Service in collaboration with Sundance Institute, in which we look at those who challenge the established ways of doing things.

Image: Photo from train carriage by Mike Brodie (credit: Mike Brodie).
Video produced by Rachel Kantrowitz.

Release date:

Duration:

3 minutes

Featured in...