Harold makes his way from Texas to Alaska, where he hopes to find work. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Hoboes on a train. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Hobo on a train. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Hobo on a train track between freight cars. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Known only by his nickname, 'Tall Man' has been riding goods trains for 21 years. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

A pet dog changes hands as his owner prepares to change trains. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

'Uncle Tom' dozes off while he waits for his train to depart. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Hoboes. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

'Six-pack', an ex-convict, has been on the run for years. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Shadows of photographer Stephan Vanfleteren and writer Jan Hertoghs on a freight train during their reportage about hoboes in the USA. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

Freight trains in the Rocky Mountains. The Depression of the 1930s forced many Americans to travel around looking for work. Ever since then hoboes have been riding the railroad all over the US. Estimated at 30,000, today's hoboes include illegal immigrants, veterans of the Vietnam War and yuppies who have given up their jobs for an uncertain but adventurous life.

People in the News,2nd prize