"Jumped the Rattler"

Nepean Times Sat 24 Oct 1931  Page 1

At Penrith Police Court on Thursday morning, Williiun Henry Austin (20) and James Potter (25) were charged with having, on the previous day, travelled on the railway without having paid their fare and with intent to avoid payment.

Constable Kent, Springwood, said that defendants were found in a brake van of a goods train, They had no money, and said that they were endeavouring to get to Bathurst. Neither had a ticket, Nothing was missing from the train.

Defendants said that they got into the brake van to be away from the goods.
Each was fined 10/

Notes

Jumping the Rattler was the only way many could afford to travel by train during the Great Depression. A number of Australian railway songs allude to this activity.