Why are train cars covered in graffiti?

Why are train cars covered in graffiti?

These are the cars’ identity. This information indicates who owns the train car, how much it can carry, its dimensions, maintenance data, and safety information. When covered by graffiti, railroad workers and shippers lose vital information, which can slow work, damage the car or even cause an accident.

Why do graffiti artists tag trains?

It was, say police, a particularly risky location, offering no refuge and no means of escape. Graffiti artists are often thought to be motivated by two things: the egotistical pleasure of leaving behind their nom de guerre or tag, and the excitement of doing something dangerous and illegal.

Do railroads care about graffiti?

All railroads can do, Davis said, is increase surveillance to catch or deter would-be graffiti artists. Davis said some of the graffiti he sees on railcars is neat, but it’s still illegal and most of all, dangerous. “A person that would place graffiti on a railcar or rail structure is doing an unsafe act,” he said.

What kind of artistic expression is graffiti?

vandalism
While graffiti is art it can be considered vandalism depending on where you do it. Graffiti is just art but on a different canvas. Art brings light and color as well as graffiti, graffiti artists don’t get the chance to show that graffiti is art because people think of it as vandalism.

Is graffiti considered art or vandalism?

The idea that a form of artistic expression could be considered vandalism is, unsurprisingly, not widespread among graffiti artists. “Graffiti is 100\% art,” says Pearce. “It’s a symbol of rebellion, and it presents a fantastic new form of creativity, but what makes it art is an individual’s opinion.

What do the letters on train cars mean?

The letters, known as reporting marks, indicate the owner of the car, while the number places it in the owner’s fleet. Reporting marks ending in X indicate ownership by a private company as opposed to a railroad. In mergers, the new company assumes rights to the old one’s reporting marks.

What is a graffiti artist called?

Early graffiti artists were commonly called “writers” or “taggers” (individuals who write simple “tags,” or their stylized signatures, with the goal of tagging as many locations as possible.)

What is the original purpose of graffiti art?

The motivation behind this simple early graffiti was to create a motif of connection for these soldiers during their difficult times, cementing their unique brotherhood amongst foreign land and to make themselves “seen.” This was closely aligned with the motivation behind contemporary graffiti, with the writers aiming …

What does the graffiti symbolize?

graffiti, form of visual communication, usually illegal, involving the unauthorized marking of public space by an individual or group. Graffiti can be understood as antisocial behaviour performed in order to gain attention or as a form of thrill seeking, but it also can be understood as an expressive art form.

Why is graffiti a good thing?

Graffiti gives individuals the freedom to express themselves in a way that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. For other graffiti artists, the advantage of the medium is that they can express an opinion or idea, such as a political point, and get it seen, in a bid to be heard and perhaps create an impact.

Why are tank cars Black?

Black is effective at hiding most spills, particularly oil-based ones that make up the majority of tank car traffic.

What happens if a train is covered in graffiti?

These are the cars’ identity. This information indicates who owns the train car, how much it can carry, its dimensions, maintenance data, and safety information. When covered by graffiti, railroad workers and shippers lose vital information, which can slow work, damage the car or even cause an accident.

Where does graffiti come from?

Graffiti has been found in the Mayan and Viking cultures. Artist Da Vinci and Donatello were known to write their names wherever they traveled. Armies throughout the world have been known to leave graffiti behind as part of their conquests.

How much does it cost to paint a train car?

The average freight car costs $5,000 to over $50,000. The paint used on rail cars costs as much as $300 per gallon. While graffiti does not render a train car useless, it does cause a severe communication problem.

Did hobos leave graffiti behind?

Armies throughout the world have been known to leave graffiti behind as part of their conquests. American hobos added a unique chapter to the graffiti story during their heyday: 1865 – 1941. Most hobos did not use their real names when traveling. Their road name could be spoken, but also manifested itself as a symbol.