Grafiti

From what I understand, its often done by several at a time using inexpensive spray cans of piant. It might even be shoplifted from Walmart, Home Depot or similar stores. I'd almost guess case lots might be needed, seeing how huge some of that 'art' is on tank cars and covered hoppers I see.

One of the issues is rail cars often spend a great deal of time standing on a siding. That invites such applications on their plain flanks to be done with relative leisure at certain times of the day or night.

Aside from what I would consider to be questionable apparance, this act of vandalsim sometimes tends to cover a car's reporting marks and data. If obliterated, that area of the car would need to be repainted and the lettering restenciled by the railroad at the expense of the car's owner, to maintain compliance for interchange service.

Graffitti adds to the cost of transportation wherever its found.

Individuals lacking proper upbringing and respect for the property of others.  Obviously lacking gainful employment and any purpose in life as well.

The fact that this is vandalism, a crime, is why I have never been interested in purchasing toy rolling stock pre-marked with graffiti, nor have I ever marred any of my own rolling stock in that manner.

I agree its vandalism wherever it's found.

And costly to remove too.  To remove graffiti from one of our private cars, we typically spend anywhere from several hundred dollars to a couple of thousand, based on how extensive it is. 

I don't like leaving it on our railcars, even if the reporting marks and numbers aren't obscured, because it casts my employer in a poor light with our customers if the cars show up covered in graffiti.

We've even received brand new tank cars coming from the factory that have been tagged enroute to us.

Curt

I agree as well...pure vandalism...period.  Maybe they should go get a job since they have so much time on their hands.

Our local city ordinance requires homeowners and property owners to remove the graffiti at their own expense.  I guess rail cars must be exempt. 

Railcars are just passing through.  By the time the citation reaches someone, the car's long gone.

And who would be held liable for removing the graffitti?  The local railroad?  The railcar owner?  If sitting on a siding, the industry where the car is spotted?  Someone going to go through the local yard looking for graffitti?  Is a cop or municipal inspector gonna place a citation under the lead locomotive's windshied wiper or stick it to the side of the car?

Rusty

What I find surprizing is the difference in attitude regarding graffiti, on the Kalmbach forums, the topic has actually been BANNED. At the "other" forum there have been very heated arguments about whether it is "ART"(not in MY opinion, it is vandalism, pure and simple)

 The argument that I have always made refuting graffiti as "ART" is that for some unknown reason, Graffiti "Artists" NEVER seem to "Beautify" their own homes, autos or any of their own other personal property, with their "ART"

Doug

It is not art in any way when it is applied to someone elses property with out their permission/blessing to do so.  And as said already, why are they not applying it to their own property since it is soooooo beautiful?

In the old days, it was done with chalk! Railroads used to have car checkers that would walk tracks with switch lists and mark each car.  Always suspected that much of the "Kilroy was here!" was done with railroad chalk

Roundhouse:

Man, your comment brings back a memory!  When I worked along the ship channel in Houston back in the late '70's, I'd always see chalk "autographs" from two particular guys when I'd be making my track checks.  The two were "Dennis from Houston" and "The Rambler".  Dennis would always draw a palm tree with a guy sleeping underneath it.  The Rambler drew a champagne glass with bubbles coming out of it.

Curt