have not ridden freight trains, but i love solo kayaking all winter long here in new england, because there is a silence you get in the winter which you never get at any other time of year, not too mention everything is sharper, clearer, the sunrise/sunsets are spectacular.... even when that wind is howling, it is pure and all you hear is the wind, you are one with the elements, you never feel more alive, and best of all: almost never run into another human being....
i would imagine everything mentioned here would also apply to those ridding the rails during the winter.
granted, you hear the sound of the rolling stock among other obvious things, just like i hear the sounds of the sea, but still.... the is definately something magical about ghe winter which never occurs any other time of year.
its got to he great being on a freight train in the winter....
too bad the maybrook line is no more, that went right by my roost and now with winter coming, this thread got me thinking........