Rail Car Graffitists

[Anonymous]

I was wondering if anyone here knew about some of the graffiti on rail cars. Guys I see the most are The Solo Artist, Water Bed Lou, John Easley & The Rambler from ports in the southern USA. Anyone know who these fellows are though it might pretty hard to do so.

[Anonymous]

I photograph railroad graffiti and know many others who do the same. I typically take pitures of the chalk kind, like from Bozo Texino also known as Buzz Blur (whom you can purchase his grafitti now on tshirts, camisoles, coffee cups, kids wear etc. at: http://www.cafepress.com/bozotexino)

Also, love to see Smokin Joes. Most of these railroad grafitti artists of the chalk type have worked for the railroads for many years.

There are many websites that display their grafitti and others under the search words: grafitti, monikers, taggers, etc.

Buzz Blur has even had his artwork displayed in art studios in New York and getting a pretty penny.

Try this website: http://www.sisterbetty.org/graffiti/
This site has grafitti categorized by type.

Even the model railroad producers are manufacturing railcars with grafitti on them. Added realism to your model railroad!

It appears this is one of the many facets of this great interest we call ralifanning.

[UPTRAIN]

I saw a UP SD70M yesterday with an American flag, had graffiti all over it, makes me real proud to have the screen name that I do...

[vsmith]

Methinks this topic will go downhill faster than a Cadillac on skis....grafitti's kinda a touchy subject here. Better get the popcorn machine from the diner...

[chad thomas]

Well this can be a touchy subject for some of us. But I for one like to put a little graffitti on my HO cars. It adds detail and realism.

[vsmith]

Yeah Chad grafiti is a definite reality these days, of course on some cars I've seen recently all that paint might be the only thing holding them together. I've seen some pretty amazing paint jobs on models in HO and G, so realistic its scary. But model trains is one thing, RR photograghers is another, seen some icky squabbles of late.

Most here know my stance on the subject, get caught, give'em a small brillo pad and a hot day to remove it, or simply go to jail.

Get runover by a train while tagging a car or structure or fall off an overpass painting your chickenscratches? Well thats just God's way of saying "Player 1 Game Over" How does Forrest Gump say it... "Stupid is as stupid does"?"

Need to insert that ending sound effect for Pacman

Eeooo Eeeeoooo Eeeeoooo Eeeeoooo Wup Wup [;)]

[tree68]

I think most of the folks here will turn a blind eye to the old style chalk graffiti, a la Bozo Texino and Kilroy. While one can argue (correctly) that it still damages the finish, and the tagger is trespassing, et al, it's still not as offensive as the work of today's mural "artists. " I mentioned in another thread an auto carrier I saw with the whole side painted. Wonder how he managed to afford all that paint?

It was mentioned that some of these people have had work shown in noted galleries. If they are that good, let 'em do "real" art and leave other people's property alone.

[chad thomas]

Vic, What really trips me out is these huge paintings (loosely named) that take up entire autorack sides. These guys must carry a ladder and LOTS of paint with them. It makes me wonder how they get so much paint and a ladder to the car without being noticed by the same people that seem to spot every railfan photographer (and drop dime on them).

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

I think most of the folks here will turn a blind eye to the old style chalk graffiti, a la Bozo Texino and Kilroy. While one can argue (correctly) that it still damages the finish, and the tagger is trespassing, et al, it's still not as offensive as the work of today's mural "artists. " I mentioned in another thread an auto carrier I saw with the whole side painted. Wonder how he managed to afford all that paint?

It was mentioned that some of these people have had work shown in noted galleries. If they are that good, let 'em do "real" art and leave other people's property alone.

Mabee a few RR cops should attend these "art" showings and press charges. If you are stupid enough to graffitti up a car and then show your work at a public venue you ought to be locked up for a bit.

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

Originally posted by tree68

I think most of the folks here will turn a blind eye to the old style chalk graffiti, a la Bozo Texino and Kilroy. While one can argue (correctly) that it still damages the finish, and the tagger is trespassing, et al, it's still not as offensive as the work of today's mural "artists. " I mentioned in another thread an auto carrier I saw with the whole side painted. Wonder how he managed to afford all that paint?

It was mentioned that some of these people have had work shown in noted galleries. If they are that good, let 'em do "real" art and leave other people's property alone.

Mabee a few RR cops should attend these "art" showings and press charges. If you are stupid enough to graffitti up a car and then show your work at a public venue you ought to be locked up for a bit. Or better yet sentanced to Community service removing graffitti.

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