I am hoping to start an HO layout soon modeling the modern era, CSX, in NC or NY. Watching many trains on web cam and real life I see a fact of life, train graffiti. I don't like it but I am going to have to model it, especially on box cars!
Has there been any good articles in MR on good techniques to use? Thanks.
Don't know where I saw it, but someone makes decals of graffit. Maybe a Google search.
You can start here.
Microscale makes decals in HO and N. Both sizes could be useful. And when you combine them with some of your homemade ones, you're pretty much set.
I sorta recall an article, but......
Ed
You can always use Colored Sharpies for simple graffitti. I think the usual method is to lightly pencil in the designs, and then outline and fill with the markers (at least I did a few small designs that way).
Gentlemen, this topic has led to highly inflammatory discussions in the past and therefore our host has decided to ban the topic.
Please check the Forum Policy at the beginning of this section of the forum.
I was going to mention that
Mike.
My You Tube
in before the lock
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Don't know why it should raise a ruckus...graffiti on train cars has been around for over 100 years, back to "J.B. King, Esq." and "Bozo Texino", probably some even earlier. Walthers used to make 'steam era' graffiti decals.
Do a Google search for "graffiti decals model railroad"
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
We all know that Stix, just following the "guide lines" from Steve O. in the forum rules sticky note.
I hardly see how our genial host can object if I refer the OP to an excellent article on making your own graffiti that appeared in the April 2012 issue of, ahem, Model Railroader magazine. It was by Matt Snell -he used Sharpies and pencils.
Dave Nelson
That rule was installed before I was. Which means I'm not wedded to it. As long as we can limit the discussion to how to model graffiti, and stay away from the inflammatory topics of its merits as an art form or whether it's an appropriate modeling topic, we'll be fine.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Well said,
Mr. Otte
Blair Line makes some decent decals. There's also plenty of one man operations out there too. Just have to dig around for them online.
Thanks Steve.
Steven Otte That rule was installed before I was. Which means I'm not wedded to it. As long as we can limit the discussion to how to model graffiti, and stay away from the inflammatory topics of its merits as an art form or whether it's an appropriate modeling topic, we'll be fine.
WOW! Someone who's receptive to change...
Steven OtteThat rule was installed before I was. Which means I'm not wedded to it.
.
Darn, I guess that means there is no pride in "beating the lock."
Grafitti is modeled just like any other car lettering... with decals. There are some interesting decals made as other replies have mentioned.
Do you need information on applying decals?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
No, I can apply decals. I am glad I didn't cause any problems. Who knew asking a simple question could cause problems. I'll do a google search. Box cars should be easy to apply to as they as flat. I don't see too much on tank or car carrier cars. Thanks for the help.
Really? I see most grafitti on tank cars. I think people prefer them because they are white. I almost never see a white tank car without grafitti.
There are also weathering decaks to do rust and grime http://www.weatheringsolutions.com/2-uncategorised
I see very little graffiti on tank cars, but box cars, and hoppers, that spend lots of time in remote sidings, yards and spurs get "hit" the most. Like others have said, there are decals all over the place. Just search it while in Ebay, in HO scale trains, or what ever scale you model in.
There are plenty of YouTube videos on doing your own with colored pencils and markers.
Have fun!
Mike
joecatch Who knew asking a simple question could cause problems.
Who knew asking a simple question could cause problems.
If you haven't done so (as recommended earlier by another forum member), go read the Forum Rules and Policies, it's YOUR responsibilty. Also, being a member of a forum is a privilege.
Here's another site that provides decals, not just graffiti http://www.moondograilcars.com/category_s/106.htm
Some people actually hand paint their graffiti. If you choose to use paint pens, there are plenty of arts/craft stores that sell them, in multiple tip sizes. Beware....sharpies and dullcoat usually don't play well together.
joecatchI don't like it but I am going to have to model it, especially on box cars!
Who says? One of the cardinal rules of railroad modelling is that it's your railroad and you can do what you want. If you don't like graffitti then leave it off.
Of course that negates some of the aspects of prototypical modelling so if that aspect is important to you than you are correct. You have to have graffitti.
I'm modelling the late '50s so fortunately for me I can pretty much ignore the issue.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
First, you need some really tiny cans of spray paint... ;)
Ray DunakinFirst, you need some really tiny cans of spray paint... ;)
OK Ray! That's two April Fools jokes!! That's your limit!!!
Cheers!!
A bit of history about the forum rules, in case anyone newish is interested:
About ten years ago, the forums were moderated by one staff member at trains.com. It was one of his secondary duties, and it was slowly getting past him because of a small number of posters who seemed to enjoy being 'contrarian', and a few of those could charitably be called mean-spirited and on-line bullies. Our hosts eventually decided to trial member-moderators who made it their task to attempt to improve the qaulity of discourse. It seemed reasonable, due to repeated locked threads, to prohibit discussions about hobos, graffiti, and some others I forget. Yes, it really was quite bad.
When that process of modifying the tone grew more evolved, say near 2010, Steve Otte came aboard and supervised the moderators, and it seemed that the whole idea came to a natural end...moderators' duties and privileges with the forum software, including permanently banning some people and deleting entire threads, were curtailed.
Happily, the tenor of the threads since most of us left off being moderators has been good. I agree, for what it's worth, with taking another look at some of the rules and lightening up a bit. Times change, and so does the culture here.
-Crandell
Since graffiti are not part of the culture I model, the only paint on my cars was put there by the manufacturer or the railroad's painters.
That said, the real problem with making convincing models is that no two graffiti are identical - even if done by the same 'artiste' sequentially on two adjacent, identical cars. Therefore, to be convincing, each car needs an original design. Decorating an entire roster could end up taking almost as much time as building the layout they run on. Decals might be a starting point. They won't be convincing by themselves.
Man, am I glad that I don't have that problem!!!
Incidentally, 'Bozo Texino' (done in chalk on boxcar doors) was attributed to a MoPac engineman who retired in 1943.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - sans graffiti)
I would use colored sharpies, or very fine pointed paint pens, along with a couple of decals, if I were to model graffitti.
It, however, is prohibited on my layout, as my 1/87 police force do their jobs in preventing it well.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Since I am not an artist I will go the decal route. They look like they would be easy to apply and with some weathering I think they will work. I will have a very small layout with not many cars so I don't have to worry too much about duplicate decals.
I have been watching Rochelle again and I actually saw some mixed freight without alot of graffiti. I saw a unit tank train with none at all, along with a coal train that was very clean. Hoppers and box cars however were loaded with it.
About 20 yrs ago while my son was back home for a visit he decorated a few pieces of my rolling stock with some fine-point Sharpies. At the time the loosely themed free-lanced layout we had built together when he was a teen was still up and running. Though the era of my current layout doesn't really support such flamboyant graffiti, nor roof walks I still enjoy seeing the cars in service.
tomikawaTTIncidentally, 'Bozo Texino' (done in chalk on boxcar doors) was attributed to a MoPac engineman who retired in 1943.
So, the "Bozo Texino" chalk marks that I saw on a couple LPG tank cars in the mid-80s must have been a copy-cat. Saw some "Water Bed Lou" chalk marks back then too.
Regards, Peter