Brakie - I completely agree with your statement "Today's railroading is more interesting then most think". We railfan just about every weekend & hardly ever do we not see something new or special. Now it just might be foreign power, a different kind of load, etc. We also hear something new on the scanner quite often, not that we always know what their talking about. My wife even commented once that we need an engineer or a conductor with us so they could explain things, but we are learning. And now that we came out of the dark ages & bought an IPhone about a year ago, we can look things up. Doesn't always give us good anwsers, but it helps. So the gist of it is we are always learning & having fun doing it. Oh, not to mention the nice folks we meet along the way.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
I find it amazjng that if I set one foot on railroad property someone is right there but someone with a case of spray paint and a ladder can spend hours undisturbed painting the whole side of an auto rack. Go figure.....
Not that I make a point of trespassing, I don't.
Redore I find it amazing that if I set one foot on railroad property someone is right there but someone with a case of spray paint and a ladder can spend hours undisturbed painting the whole side of an auto rack. Go figure..... Not that I make a point of trespassing, I don't.
I find it amazing that if I set one foot on railroad property someone is right there but someone with a case of spray paint and a ladder can spend hours undisturbed painting the whole side of an auto rack. Go figure.....
you have no idea how much this statement is true! And it is very upsetting. A dedicated railfan who wholeheartedly supports and promotes railroads is run off, but yet "poor mans artwork" (thats a politically correct way of naming it to meet forum standards) is allowed without interuption.
Ive often wondered if the railroads see it like this....
"hey, were getting a free paint job on a metal car. We only need to see the number and repmarks on it. Who cares about the shameless *** all over our cars. The purportraitors of this hieness crimes are only helping us by lowering our bottom line by saving us $$$ on paint.
As for railfans..... nothing but foamers, nay'er do gooders and are in the way!"
Thats how it comes across to me. And others i know when this subject comes into conversation. Pretty pitiful railroads will never recognize the army of fans they have. Nor the benefits railfans could actually give them, nor the allegience we have to them.
PM Railfan Redore I find it amazing that if I set one foot on railroad property someone is right there but someone with a case of spray paint and a ladder can spend hours undisturbed painting the whole side of an auto rack. Go figure..... Not that I make a point of trespassing, I don't. you have no idea how much this statement is true! And it is very upsetting. A dedicated railfan who wholeheartedly supports and promotes railroads is run off, but yet "poor mans artwork" (thats a politically correct way of naming it to meet forum standards) is allowed without interuption. Ive often wondered if the railroads see it like this.... "hey, were getting a free paint job on a metal car. We only need to see the number and repmarks on it. Who cares about the shameless *** all over our cars. The purportraitors of this hieness crimes are only helping us by lowering our bottom line by saving us $$$ on paint. As for railfans..... nothing but foamers, nay'er do gooders and are in the way!" Thats how it comes across to me. And others i know when this subject comes into conversation. Pretty pitiful railroads will never recognize the army of fans they have. Nor the benefits railfans could actually give them, nor the allegience we have to them.
Obviously you are not an art lover?
just kidding.
It goes along with the lack of respect and decline of common decency in todays world. All in the name of social progress. What used to be sacred is now fair game. Google "train graffiti" and you will find countless sites supporting it as some sort of valid and accepted art expression. In days gone by, it used to be called "vandalism". Amazing how society has changed.
Looks like it is not seen as art in some places however.
http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1730198/germans-duo-be-caned-jailed-spraying-graffiti-singapore-train
On the other hand, if I see a good train scene to photograph, so to someday imitate on my model railroad, the railroad police will be coming up quickly to find out what I'm up to.
"Obviously you are not an art lover? just kidding."
All jesting aside... i actually am an art lover, to be honest. However i dont see this as a form of art, in any shape or form. It just isnt no matter what ANYONE says! What ever some call it today, i cant mention what we call it around here. My appologies if i seem to take these stupid stunts personally.... because i do. I loathe these acts, and the low lifes that commit them.
I saw the Singapore article a couple days ago too. Props to Singapore for atleast doing something about it. I wish in this country we would do the same thing except make the penalties 10x more! I may be old fashioned but "death penalty" doesnt seem out of the question. Again, thats just me.
Will anything ever happen to stop it? I can say beyond a shadow of doubt..... NO, it wont. Unfortunatly. And railfans will always be paying for it. Very shameful in my book.
So if this is what people call art, jesting or not, youd be right about me.... i am not an art lover.
Douglas
Calling graffiti artists "lowlifes" is too judgemental and shows a lack of tolerance for cultural diversity.
That is what you would be accused of in some modern day social circles.
Then you might be required to attend sensitivity training.
Such is the world we live in today, in the USA at least.
In the mean time, I have to dodge and hide to get prototype photos for my model railroad, because I love and respect trains, and am against defacing private property.
Go figure !
Well i am quite certain people who destroy property, such as railroad equipment in this case, arent called "pillars of our society". Using the term "low life" was being generous, and definately NOT judgemental. They earned the title. Call them what they are.
Sensitivity training is not needed, as i am quite sensitive to people like this even existing. i am as intolerant of these types of ilk, as some people are intolerant of hearing a train blow for a grade crossing at 2am.
The world wouldnt be the bad place it is today if not for these types of people.
Im positive it can be said that most folks on this forum (you and I included) love and respect trains. I challenge anyone to show me a 'low life' that shares these same values.
Your not the only one that has to "duck and cover" to get the pics you want. I would suggest thinking of the reason of why that is. I have, and i see no reason for it what so ever. I like you, do not destroy other peoples belongings or property. Low lifes do. They have to be called something and graffiti artist IS NOT the correct term. Thats an empowermentitive term.
Ah yes, I am always thinking of 'uplifting, artistic expression of beauty' when I see a third-world looking graffiti train crossing the road. Those spotless, slogan-lettered boxcars and colorful passenger cars of days gone just pale in comparison to today's true "art" trains.
Redore I find it amazjng that if I set one foot on railroad property someone is right there but someone with a case of spray paint and a ladder can spend hours undisturbed painting the whole side of an auto rack. Go figure..... Not that I make a point of trespassing, I don't.
Depends on where you trespass.I can trespass all day long in some areas but,let me try that in Willard or Bellevue and see how fast I'm chased off.
Trespassing in or near busy yards will get you chased off..Trespassing in small yards in cities where there is no 24/7 operation--who cares or even notices?
No..I don't trespass but,I have seen hundreds if not thousands of trespassers over the years I been railfaning.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I'm not certain that grafitti is applied on railroad property, a lot of it probably happens when the cars are spotted at industry or side tracks. I would say very little happens in major classification yards where railfans are drawn to. Plus there is too much movement of the cars, not enough time to paint.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
dehusman I'm not certain that grafitti is applied on railroad property, a lot of it probably happens when the cars are spotted at industry or side tracks. I would say very little happens in major classification yards where railfans are drawn to. Plus there is too much movement of the cars, not enough time to paint.
They will find some cars not watched on a siding, and get out their spray paint there.
This style of grafitti started in New York City and spread from there. In some places like Los Angeles, grafitti of the kind seen on rail cars is applauded by various "community leaders" as a valid expression of art. There was even an article in the L.A. Times about how wonderful and meaningful it was. Common respect of private property, whether, rail cars, buildings or walls, are of little concern to some people and do take a back seat to street art expression. This is the new world we live in, and L.A. and NY City are always the first to initiate change. Railroads are part of society, and therefore not exempt from the new thinking.
Some model railroaders even apply that type of grafitti to their rolling stock.
I prefer not to see it on RR equipment myself.
Some time ago, there was a documentary on TVO, the Ontario public television station, about these so-called "artists". One segment showed a number of them showing up at a rail yard (looked like a storage yard more than one being switched) at night in nice-looking cars. I was wondering, as they went to work painting stuff which belonged to someone else, how much they would have appreciated my artwork on their cars when they returned. Many of the people doing this sort of stuff obviously have the money to do it, coupled with an unearned sense of entitlement.The penalties need to be stiffer and, if the evidence is strong enough, the railroads should start suing those who are caught.
Wayne
I like that idea! Maybe the RR could commission a bunch of artists to paint any unauthorized vehicle that they happen to find parked on railroad property. Of course, vehicles parked in legitimate parking lots would be spared. The railroad's P.R. Dept. could simply announce that it's an effort to beautify their property.
doctorwayne Some time ago, there was a documentary on TVO, the Ontario public television station, about these so-called "artists". One segment showed a number of them showing up at a rail yard (looked like a storage yard more than one being switched) at night in nice-looking cars. I was wondering, as they went to work painting stuff which belonged to someone else, how much they would have appreciated my artwork on their cars when they returned. Many of the people doing this sort of stuff obviously have the money to do it, coupled with an unearned sense of entitlement.The penalties need to be stiffer and, if the evidence is strong enough, the railroads should start suing those who are caught. Wayne
Perfect example of what I am saying. Also the camera people and interviewers didn't have a problem with it happening right in front of their eyes.
It's like "big corporations" have no rights and don't deserve any respect, to these people.
ACY A CSX official, in the presence of local police, demanded that I put away my phone, with which I was going to take a few pictures. It was apparent that the police were on his side, not mine, so I put away the phone. What were they afraid of?
They are afraid of Freedom of the Press. You and everyone else with a camera or phone is now part of the press because in an instant you can upload it to a news site or you tube. Companies like controlling their own image and their press releases. When you show someone what is happening it makes them upset. Even Burger King has signs on the doors saying you can't video because someone uploaded an employee taking a bath in the kitchen sink.
If a police officer or other government authority tries to take a camera away from you while shooting a news worthy event they are violating your rights. Tell them you are an independent reporter and this story is going to be on CNN in fifteen minutes. Then ask them to spell their name to make sure it appears correctly. You might get beat up but then your lawyer will have a field day and you can get everything on your wish list.
p.s. I railran from a parking lot located in a national forest. I paid for the parking permit to be there so nobody can say I can't be there. The tracks are right next to it. Other wise I just look out the window when I drive because there is a track next to every freeway.
Hello All,
I saw this posted on the Friends Of BNSF website.
It's a few years old but I though it appropriate for this post.
Hope this helps:
The BNSF Railway Co. is clamping down on people trespassing on its property, and that includes anywhere the company has tracks.
“We are going to be aggressively enforcing our no trespassing policy,” BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas, of Seattle, told The Montana Standard on Friday.
The Butte rail yard has its own security personnel, and Butte police will be asked to help enforce the no trespassing policy, Melonas said. Sheriff John Walsh could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Read the full story on the Montana Standard website.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Wishful thinking at best..BNSF can not patrol every mile of track and even if the crews reports trespassers they will be long gone before any action can be taken.City police can not babyset private property since most police is to busy attending other duties..