9 people, 7 dogs found trespassing on cross-country freight train

HOUSTON -- A Union Pacific train with alleged trespassers on board made an unexpected stop in Memorial Park early this morning.

Around 12:30 a.m., a Union Pacific freight train left the Englewood Rail Yard in northeast Houston. However, an emergency break went off as the train was heading through the Memorial Park area.

Rail officials discovered eight men, one woman, and seven dogs on board two of the rail cars. Eyewitness News talked to some of those people, who tell us they're just trying to cross the country. One rider only gave us his first name. Gary told us, "I'm headed out to the west coast, to California, where my uncle owns some property out there. He grows pot and stuff so he needs a helper, so I'm just headed out there on the trains."

The train is headed to California with a planned stop in San Antonio. Another man riding, who did not give his name admitted, "It's scary sometimes, it's dangerous and illegal."

The people in the cab received tickets for trespassing. One man had a warrant out for his arrest and Houston police took him into custody.