Trains.com

Vandalism

4714 views
34 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2017
  • 53 posts
Posted by writesong on Thursday, March 30, 2017 1:47 PM

The railroads must be cracking down on vandalism and tightening up on their security.

I think things are looking better.

When I watch the live streaming video from Rochelle, Illinois, I notice more and more railroad freight cars have NOT been vandalized with graffiti.

John Robert Mallernee, Ashley Valley Shadows, Vernal, Utah 84078
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: North Carolina
  • 1,905 posts
Posted by csxns on Sunday, February 19, 2017 12:32 PM

Shadow the Cats owner
brand new tractor in transit get tagged. It was damaged to the point of the Insurance company of the manufactor is

Go to ttx.com they have a solution for problems like this its called Uni-Level.

Russell

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, February 19, 2017 11:03 AM

Shadow the Cats owner
The paint job on this truck was a special one for our #1 driver in seniority he has been with us for 40 years.  He had custom designed it with multiple colors and had asked for and gotten a higher end interior.  Well they destroyed the paint job by scratching the paint to where it was going to require repainting that damage alone was 20K they then cut off the fuel tanks another 15K to replace stole the custom wheels yes there are few choices they had a different hole patteren in them.  That was another 12K then they had fun with the engine they found the wires cut interior had been defacated on and cut for almost another 60K in damage.  Where was the transport driver during this in his Hotel room.  Time to destory this truck less than 5 mins.  The next one my boss and his father are going to the factory and picking it up and driving it back nonstop.  For the engine they smashed in the radiator and EGR coolers.  Transmission and rear ends are fine frame is good just the rest of the truck is destroyed.

You weren't dealing with everyday, run of the mill vandals.  You were dealing with professional chop shop terrorist.  Removing fuel tanks and wheels is far from vandalism.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Sunday, February 19, 2017 8:52 AM

The paint job on this truck was a special one for our #1 driver in seniority he has been with us for 40 years.  He had custom designed it with multiple colors and had asked for and gotten a higher end interior.  Well they destroyed the paint job by scratching the paint to where it was going to require repainting that damage alone was 20K they then cut off the fuel tanks another 15K to replace stole the custom wheels yes there are few choices they had a different hole patteren in them.  That was another 12K then they had fun with the engine they found the wires cut interior had been defacated on and cut for almost another 60K in damage.  Where was the transport driver during this in his Hotel room.  Time to destory this truck less than 5 mins.  The next one my boss and his father are going to the factory and picking it up and driving it back nonstop.  For the engine they smashed in the radiator and EGR coolers.  Transmission and rear ends are fine frame is good just the rest of the truck is destroyed. 

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 4:59 PM

Shadow the Cats owner
It was damaged to the point of the Insurance company of the manufactor is totalling it out.

What & How did they damage it sufficient to cause it to be totaled? I can't see the frame or the drive train being damaged by vandals.

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Northern Florida
  • 1,429 posts
Posted by SALfan on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 10:22 PM

Shadow the Cats owner

If we are going to be using Paintballs can we use frozen ones instead of regular ones.  Better yet use Ghost pepper spiked paint in the paint balls.  I know that sounds extreme it is called we just had a brand new tractor in transit get tagged.  It was damaged to the point of the Insurance company of the manufactor is totalling it out.  A 170 thousand bucks down the drain.  It was a special ordered truck for our #1 driver in the company.  He now has to wait for the replacement to be built and shipped to us.  We wanted it here to celebrate his 40th year driving for the carrier now we are going to miss it. 

 

Could be a lot of fun, if we were able to make fun of the miscreants while they suffered.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Iowa
  • 3,293 posts
Posted by Semper Vaporo on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 9:47 PM

BaltACD
 Paintballing them would be sporting! 

 

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 8:57 PM

Firelock76

The thing is, and it's really a sad thing, is a lot of the graffiti I've seen lately has been done by some people with quite a bit of latent talent in them, it's true.  Some of the stuff is very clever and very well done, but the thing is, it's still vandalism.

Too bad they can't put that talent to better use.

Then there was a CSX official who was quoted a few years back as saying CSX didn't mind the taggers at all, it saved them the trouble of painting the cars themselves.

I hope he was kidding.

 

I'm surprised they don't have new cars delivered only in a primer coat and left for others to "decorate." 

Jeff 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 8:47 PM

BaltACD
Maybe the railroads should start constructing cars out of unpainted Cor-Ten steel - the steel that creates it's own 'paint' by rusting and making a surface that is more difficult to paint on.

Some lease firms already believe in that.  Well, not the Cor-Ten part, but def'n the rust part.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 8:32 PM

Firelock76
The thing is, and it's really a sad thing, is a lot of the graffiti I've seen lately has been done by some people with quite a bit of latent talent in them, it's true.  Some of the stuff is very clever and very well done, but the thing is, it's still vandalism.

Too bad they can't put that talent to better use.

Then there was a CSX official who was quoted a few years back as saying CSX didn't mind the taggers at all, it saved them the trouble of painting the cars themselves.

I hope he was kidding.

Maybe the railroads should start constructing cars out of unpainted Cor-Ten steel - the steel that creates it's own 'paint' by rusting and making a surface that is more difficult to paint on.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Guelph, Ontario
  • 4,819 posts
Posted by Ulrich on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:57 PM

Firelock76

The thing is, and it's really a sad thing, is a lot of the graffiti I've seen lately has been done by some people with quite a bit of latent talent in them, it's true.  Some of the stuff is very clever and very well done, but the thing is, it's still vandalism.

Too bad they can't put that talent to better use.

Then there was a CSX official who was quoted a few years back as saying CSX didn't mind the taggers at all, it saved them the trouble of painting the cars themselves.

I hope he was kidding.

 

 

Latent talent is worthless unless it becomes unlatent. They should tag their property.. opps.. almost forgot most don't own property. The vast majority of us unwashed untalented property owners do understand the value of property and the obvious need to respect the property of others by at a minimum refraining from "enhancing"/defacing it. I bet there aren't five taggers on the planet who have a combined net worth that is a positive number.. (they're for the most part bums..Laugh)

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:35 PM

The thing is, and it's really a sad thing, is a lot of the graffiti I've seen lately has been done by some people with quite a bit of latent talent in them, it's true.  Some of the stuff is very clever and very well done, but the thing is, it's still vandalism.

Too bad they can't put that talent to better use.

Then there was a CSX official who was quoted a few years back as saying CSX didn't mind the taggers at all, it saved them the trouble of painting the cars themselves.

I hope he was kidding.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:25 PM

Miningman
Not art, or even an expression of frustration, it's garbage and looks like hell...in the eye of the beholder I guess, but it's dangerous and it's private property. 

The sad part is that a certain small amount if it is actually pretty good.  It's too bad they choose to deface private property in order to show it.

The hopper Balt posted shows a certain amount of whimsy...

That said, I can't seem to find the cartoon of God about to hit the "SMITE" key on his computer as a tagger is about to get tagged by an oncoming train.

And no, I don't like it either...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Guelph, Ontario
  • 4,819 posts
Posted by Ulrich on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:01 PM

One way might be to put a $100.00 tax on every can of spray paint sold. Yeah.. I know some of it is stolen, but not that much. The tax thus collected would be distributed to the victims of vandalism. Sure, if you have a legitimate need for paint then its going to cost you a little bit more... but that's the price you pay for living in a world that would otherwise be despoiled by vandals. Shooting at them with pellet guns would be kinda fun too.. Smile, Wink & Grin

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 5:12 PM

Firelock76- Yikes! You think the rioting is bad now just try doing that..the media is constantly touting these guys as artists and that it's a great thing.  I never understood that. 

It seemed at one time they left certain car types alone, such as tank cars, and the reporting marks/car numbers were spared but last few years that's out the window. 

Not art, or even an expression of frustration, it's garbage and looks like hell...in the eye of the beholder I guess, but it's dangerous and it's private property. 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:54 PM

Firelock76

How about the "Singapore Solution?"  Remember that young American dummy who was caught vandalizing cars there back in the 90's?

I'll bet he hasn't done any tagging since getting his backside caned, there or here.

 

It sounds good--but you have to catch them and they be convicted first--unless the railroad police carry bamboo sticks with them.

Johnny

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:42 PM

How about the "Singapore Solution?"  Remember that young American dummy who was caught vandalizing cars there back in the 90's?

I'll bet he hasn't done any tagging since getting his backside caned, there or here.

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:30 PM

If we are going to be using Paintballs can we use frozen ones instead of regular ones.  Better yet use Ghost pepper spiked paint in the paint balls.  I know that sounds extreme it is called we just had a brand new tractor in transit get tagged.  It was damaged to the point of the Insurance company of the manufactor is totalling it out.  A 170 thousand bucks down the drain.  It was a special ordered truck for our #1 driver in the company.  He now has to wait for the replacement to be built and shipped to us.  We wanted it here to celebrate his 40th year driving for the carrier now we are going to miss it. 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Allentown, PA
  • 9,810 posts
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 2:56 PM

"+1" - "What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander . . . "

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 2:18 PM

mudchicken
CSSHEGEWISCH

Graffiti of all sorts have been around since ancient times.  There are documented examples of graffiti on the statuary at Abu Simbel that were placed there by Roman soldiers.  I don't think that lynching the graffiti artists is a real answer.

but it would be "sporting"Mischief

Paintballing them would be sporting!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 1:45 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Graffiti of all sorts have been around since ancient times.  There are documented examples of graffiti on the statuary at Abu Simbel that were placed there by Roman soldiers.  I don't think that lynching the graffiti artists is a real answer.

 

but it would be "sporting"Mischief

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:29 AM

Graffiti of all sorts have been around since ancient times.  There are documented examples of graffiti on the statuary at Abu Simbel that were placed there by Roman soldiers.  I don't think that lynching the graffiti artists is a real answer.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Monday, February 13, 2017 11:23 PM

Bounties...If they think it's a sport, up the ante.

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,620 posts
Posted by NDG on Monday, February 13, 2017 11:18 PM

Thank You.

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 7,968 posts
Posted by K. P. Harrier on Monday, February 13, 2017 10:24 PM

The below Colton, CA photos were recently posted in the “Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates” thread.  It was pointed out there-in that it must have taken some doing to leave that kind of bridge graffiti.  What did they do? Hang off the bridge with ropes?

In that thread a number of graffiti photos have been posted over the years.  I’ve noticed that a favorite graffiti target has been CP boxes for signals and switches.  I personally have never seen such ‘art’ being painted in person.  To be honest, though, I really don’t know what I would do if I saw such being done.  UP has so turned off railfans I might just do nothing.  Hey, they don’t pay me to stick my neck out, as the saying goes … As it is now I seldom call UP’s grade crossing hotline except for immediate life and death matters.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, February 13, 2017 9:48 PM

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, February 13, 2017 9:31 PM

Then there's this guy, who come seem to consider a regular Rembrandt...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy

I'd love to figure out who he was and go around covering his work up as soon as he left...

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,530 posts
Posted by NKP guy on Monday, February 13, 2017 9:10 PM

writesong

How do we stop the vandals from defacing railroad property with their unsightly graffiti?

 

 

Principle:  "The power to tax is the power to destroy."     Daniel Webster in McCullough v. Maryland

Proposed solution:  Excise tax on bullets @ $1,500 each.  Excise tax on spray paint @ $1,500 per can.

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, February 13, 2017 8:56 PM

writesong

How do we stop the vandals from defacing railroad property with their unsightly graffiti?

 

You mean "street art" or whatever else it's being called besides what it really is.  Schools even have classes on it.  (Down in Des Moines a student project was removed when someone saw it and thought it was just graffiti. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2016/05/16/huge-student-mural-erased-outside-central-place/84452418/ )

The more it becomes accepted, the harder it will be to stop it.

Jeff

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy