American Graffiti --- The Final Frontier

[MidlandPacific]

I don't think you can model an era that's too early for graffitti.

In October 2003, the "Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette" ran a piece on an Australian model railroader - I can't remember his name (Keith something), but he just died a few weeks ago. Anyway, his layout was a freelance line with an Australian setting. One picture of an industrial/mining scene showed a catwalk that had been painted with the words "Draft Billy Hughes Instead." I'm somewhat conversant in the history of WWI, so this struck an immediate chord with me, placing the scene instantly in a relatively narrow band of time. Yes, I think modern graffitti is beyond ugly - but it can be evocative on a model railroad, and history leaves us a rich supply of controversy that even pre-spraypaint modelers could enjoy - after all, who, seeing the words "Second Front NOW!" would not be able to place a scene in a narrow band of time - or would not suddenly be interested in the meaning of a forgotten slogan?

Link enclosed for those who are interested in Billy Hughes -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Australia

[Anonymous]

It took me a long while to find something as unique as this to add to my trains and now you too can add to your graffiti layouts.



See more here...
http://buffetlife.blogspot.com/2005/09/magazines-cds-and-other-merchandise.html

and

authentic work by graffiti artists not those cheap graffiti replicated decals...
http://buffetlife.blogspot.com/2005/09/some-model-railroading.html

Enjoy and happy holidays, I am paypal verified...

[Anonymous]

Although I do not like it, I model the present day, and graffiti is so common, that do plan to graffiti a few cars, as it is a signauter "detail " of my era

[Anonymous]

Of course I model graffiti, I am a weatherer!

Unfortunately, Vandalism is a part of life, rural and urban. Graffiti, of course, is a form of vandalism.

[vsmith]

When it comes to the political stuff I could say something, oh boy could I ( "...Shall I, Shall I... " H. Melville, Moby ***) but what would it accomplish? Maybe get the thread nuked, thats all. In the end no ones opinions are changed, a few people are entertained by the violence and bloodshed (those Roman Emporers did know to entertain the people didnt they) someone makes a killing selling popcorn and drinks but in the end its all alot of smoke and wind amounting to nothing. I dont enjoy "Jousting with Windmills" anymore cause I know it doesnt change anything. Rocks can't learn, trees can't hear, and the only thing turning in the heads of windmills is wooden cogs.[;)]

I figure if those making the politicaly charged statements continue to spout off and continue to create trouble even if no one here really cares about whether the Universe is wrong and they are correct and are going to say so constantly in spite of any countervening point of view or facts offered, Bergie with his Omnipotent powers will just tie them to one of his nuclear missles and fire them off to internet Siberia.[}:)]


PS to keep this on track....catch a tagger, give him a small brillo pad, a hot day and a short ladder.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Actually Paul, this topic was never intended to go political, but sometimes the word graffiti alone will bring out the worst in people. I now know very well that it is a touchy subject around here, and I am very thankful that Bergie is so patient with it. I wouldn't start it again, but it's here, perhaps grandfathered. The thing is people keep digging it up, voting and commenting.

It has been a year and a half since I started it. I'm not ashamed for doing it. I am a little surprised that it likes to keep coming back, kind of like a bad penny.

[IRONROOSTER]

A year and a half later, I still don't like it and don't plan to have any. Last year I traveled by train up to Maine. I saw a lot of grafitti - all of it served merely to tra***he scene. My opinion, yours may differ.

I am surprised the political sniping didn't get this thread locked - oh well Bergie can't be everywhere.
Enjoy
Paul

[joeyegarner]

You didn't have, Plan to do it. But I do

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mac 4884

True why dont most cities follow venice beach CA, they built some walls specifically for grafitti artists.

Interesting, an alternative "canvas".

Remember guys, this topic is supposed to be about modeling graffiti, not about the real thing. Go back to the beginning of this topic for info and links.

[Anonymous]

True why dont most cities follow venice beach CA, they built some walls specifically for grafitti artists.

[Anonymous]

Islam when practiced by level headed sane people is a reglion of peace
If you read the Koran it tell them to kill anyone who doesn't belive Islam.

[Anonymous]

I just recently got some G Scale Graffiti Artist to add to your layouts if anyone is interested let me know. I will be posting pics sometime in the near future.

[Anonymous]

i have a few grafiti on my rolling stock. stuff like gearhead426, USA, hemi, friends names, or just illegible scribbles.(i use pastels) some graffiti is almodt art, but just misled artists in some cases. the real world is sometimes gritty and cruel, and i freelance the real world.
(thats a pun if i ever saw one.)
GEARHEAD426

[MisterBeasley]

The "Kilroy" graphic was put on these cars at the factory by Mantua. This car is from the 60's, and is labelled U.S. Navy. It's a working hopper with opening bottom doors. Just so you know, I didn't even use a camera. I just put the car sideways on the scanner.

[Anonymous]

I remember Graffiti being "Kill Roy was here!" in chalk. Not as destructive or flamboyant as defaced subway cars on the elevated tracks of New York, or our current "rolling billboards". Eons of personal comment now elevated to the larger canvas by the technology of the spray paint can. The vandals have come "a long way baby". The Romans did not do well stamping them out, will we do any batter?
Will

[jlampke]

"You all missed the point... graffitti is a matter of "freedom of expression" and "personal
choice" ... just like unsafe/inconsiderate railfanning ..."

Well, it would be as the liberal idiots like to say, "freedom of expression" and "personal
choice" if the punks that were doing it did it to their own property, but of course, that's not the "freedom of expression" and "personal choice" they want. What they want is
"freedom of expression" and "personal choice" on other people's property. In that case, they can white-wash it anyway they want, but it's really just trashy, destructive vandalism.

A few weeks ago some of these punks sprayed a bunch of their trash all over one of the privately-owned passenger cars that had been restored and was parked at the Brooklyn yard in Portland. The owners were pissed...... to put it mildly.

To the people who do that sort of thing: I'd like to catch you. You better hope I don't.....

[Anonymous]

You all missed the point... graffitti is a matter of "freedom of expression" and "personal choice" ... just like unsafe/inconsiderate railfanning ...

[:-^]

Think I'll just go and hide in the nuclear bunker for a day or two...

[swg]

[wjstix]

In my era graffiti wasn't like it is now, I think I've done a few cars with "Bozo Texino" or "J.B.King esq." graffiti but that 's about it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matthew...

[trainboyH16-44]

Don't have criminals. Or police cars, which makesthe criminals thing a goos thing!
I don't mind graffitt, really.
Matthew

[Anonymous]

I also do freight cars, and many other things, this was just one that stuck out and was not for a client, buf for my lovely fiance. Most of the time I just do the artwork on the car, but on this one I actually created a scene (Fence, Grass, Gravel, etc...).

Here is the one I did for my father-in-law who is into garden railroading, and who has taken me to several train shows and vendor meets...

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4699/1338/1600/Photo_58.jpg

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

True, CoertSmit. You never see an intermodel car with graffiti on it, do you?

I can't remember the last time I saw a freight car WITHOUT it... [sigh]

[Anonymous]

I made this for my fiance with her name on a NYC World's Fair Subway Car. On another note, Graffiti is something that is not understood and I think that that is the reason sometime it is not given the time of day or night... Just my opinion...

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4699/1338/1600/2005_0221Image0011.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4699/1338/1600/2005_0221Image0009.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4699/1338/1600/2005_0221Image0008.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4699/1338/1600/2005_0221Image0007.jpg

Please comment with some feedback... thanks...

[espeefoamer]

I have NO grafitti on my railroad.But then,most of my locos and cars are made of plastic.A real steam engine built out of plastic wouldn't last 10 seconds!

[Big_Boy_4005]

I think there's been a derailment here guys. This is not a political topic. Please go back to the beginning and read. This is about graffiti on models only!

[douginut]

Graffiti has been aaround from the first. pictures of freight trains from civil war times on have had chalked and brushed on graffiti. The spray can made it easier nd faster. .
to address the freedom to photograph and laws of tresspass I must ask everyone has anyone ever heard of telephoto lenses or public places?
long shots can be beautiful.

Off Soap Box

Doug, in Utah

[Anonymous]

"There is no difference between the KKK, *** and Islam."

Whoa whoa whoa, hold up there, the first two I agree with you on but lumping the entire Islamic reglion into one banner is completely ignorant. Islam when practiced by level headed sane people is a reglion of peace

It's like saying all Christians are bat*** insane mouthbreathing fundimentalists.

[SpaceMouse]

[Anonymous]

No graffiti on my layout now, and there won't be in the future. It's a problem over here too, and one the police seem pretty much powerless to do anything about - in the event of the perpetrators being caught they're frequently either under 18 (and therefore face reduced punishments) or don't get much of a deterrent. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "lock them up and throw away the key" person as I believe that many of these individuals need help to get their lives in order, but it makes me angry to see a train operating company (TOC) lose thousands of pounds through having to pull the train from service (can't send it out with offensive language sprayed over the side) and spend not much less in cleaning the train and restoring damage to the factory paint. The TOC has to pay for all of this, resulting in less money to spend on improved services and new equipment. End result is that 30mins of "work" by someone with nothing better to do costs several thousand pounds and affects a lot of people, while those responsible will probably get a minor punishment and then reoffend. I say that it should be established practice for anyone whose property is attacked in this way to have damages awarded against the person responsible. In the rail case, the TOC would be able to claim for the repairs and the cost of hiring in replacement stock while theirs is being repaired. A few months of having just enough money to survive on (and paying every penny of their disposable income to the people whose property they vandalised) might make them think twice about trashing other people's stuff!