Hopping freight Chicago to Boston?

I agree with Tom. Freight yards have really upgraded their security and the once "romantic" idea of hopping a train is long gone. I have met many homeless people in my current line of work and they all tell me the same thing. They will usually pan handle for money for a Greyhound ticket somewhere. Or hitch hike. But even hitch hiking is iffy now with all the crazy people on the road.