Railcar Graffiti
Check out my series of railcar graffiti videos on my youtube channel!
August 12, 2025 – I was out shooting images for my Railcar Graffiti page when I noticed this beautiful bright shiny new CN locomotive so I raced ahead to the next crossing and got out to video it. The engineer even opened the window to give me a quick wave (I think he was waving)?
Sometimes it’s virtually impossible to fit the graffiti into one shot and then it occurred to me to try a panormmic which it turns out, had a neat effect
As I was taking video of a moving train, I suddenly wondered what it would be like if I took a panoramic photo of a moving train
Artists often adapt their styles to the unique characteristics of train cars, including the angles and dimensions of the cars.
So many questions! I wonder if any of these markings are indicative of the artists and the meaning behind them!
Modern railcar graffiti often features large, colorful pieces and tags, often done by artists who travel with the trains or paint at yards.
A popular style involves painting the entire length of a train car, requiring vast amounts of paint.
While painting trains is illegal, there’s an unwritten code of conduct among artists, including not painting over car numbers or interfering with operations.
ART or VANDALISM?
Railcar graffiti has fascinated me for years and has been on my project list forever it feels like!
There are SO many questions!
Stay tuned to this page while I scour the internet looking for answers.
I will also be adding many more photos to this page as time allows so be sure to check back!
The practice of watching for graffiti on trains as they pass by is known as “benching”.
Railcar graffiti artists are commonly known as “train writers” or “freight writers”. They are individuals who illegally spray paint graffiti on freight cars, commuter trains, or other forms of transportation. Within the graffiti subculture, the term “moniker” also refers to the act of leaving a name or mark on a train, often by train hobos or railroad workers.
The earliest evidence of graffiti on trains in the US dates back to the late 1800s. Hoboes and tramps would place “monikers” (names or symbols) on freight cars, essentially marking their presence or sharing information. This practice continued and evolved, with some hobos even creating elaborate symbols and drawings.
During the Great Depression, hobo graffiti became more widespread, with individuals like “Bozo Texino” leaving their mark on thousands of cars. The practice of graffiti on trains continued into the 1980s and beyond, eventually influencing the emergence of graffiti art in cities, particularly with the hip-hop movement in New York City subways.
