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Freight Train Graffiti
Like Graffiti World , Freight Train Graffiti is the definitive history of a vibrant art form. Until now there was almost no written insight into this vast subculture, which inspires fascination across America and around the world. As dazzling as the art it celebrates, the book is packed with 1,000 full-color illustrations and features in-depth interviews with more than 125 train artists and "writers." Hundreds of never-before-seen photographs span the style's evolution, while the authoritative text from an all-star team of authors provides unprecedented perspective, including the first-ever written history of "monikers," the precursors of graffiti, developed by hobos and rail workers to communicate en route. Bound to surprise graffiti artists, graphic designers, and urban culture buffs alike, this book will inspire anyone who has ever been interested in graffiti.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 18, 2024
There is a romance attached to freight trains. They are the stuff of dreams and running away. That open door as you look out at the world going past is a wonder. Take off your shoes and wriggle your toes in the breeze. Lie back and let the motion rock you. Sleep. Yes, it put me to sleep. Dreamily.
May 7, 2022
This book packs a lot into one volume. It covers the history of train graffiti, contains a huge collection of photographs of the art, and collects multitudes of quotes from some of the most prominent writers of the rails.
This book could have given the history of freight train graffiti by simply focusing on the freight yards and moved on from there. But it didn't. Instead, it went to it's roots: the New York subway trains. But even that wasn't far back enough. The story really begins in Philly with urban graffiti. This book was probably one of the first attempts of tying the larger history and background of railroad graffiti to date. While the chronology of that history was a little disjointed as the book moved from chapter to chapter, the lineage was easy to string together all the same. To add to the appreciation of this book, there's also a chapter towards the end about monikers, an earlier type of railroad graffiti related by canvas, but created instead with chalk, paint sticks, or industrial crayon by itinerants and rail workers themselves, which goes back decades before spray paint was ever invented. In the end, it's all traveling art on a nationwide tour.
The photographs in the book were numerous. There are hundreds, maybe close to a thousand. It would have been so nice to see these as full-page prints each, on longer pages to replicate the visual you get seeing them on actual freight cars. The only down side of that is that they would have had to do some heavy editing, since there would have been no room to include them all.
There are quotes, stories, and perspectives of writers on nearly every page. You can see how they all have the same passion for what they do, but their perspectives are wide ranging. Some are very open to and supportive of new writers; others seem to become old men before their time, knocking the new generation who aren't really all that younger than they are; and then you have certain arrogant New York subway writers who limit themselves because they think subway trains are the only "real trains" and are derogatory towards anyone not on the coast. While there a few writers who don't care at all about any permanence of what they do (they understand it's illegal and ephemeral), most are captivated by the fact that their work can be seen by people nationwide and actually last longer on a freight car than if on a building or wall. There certainly was a lot of work interviewing and documenting the writers, and compiling all the quotes. While a lot of what writers were saying became very repetitive at times and some of this could have been edited down, the fact that writers were named gives them credibility, showing that these aren't just random, anonymous people spray painting trains, but actually artists with their own styles.
This book could have given the history of freight train graffiti by simply focusing on the freight yards and moved on from there. But it didn't. Instead, it went to it's roots: the New York subway trains. But even that wasn't far back enough. The story really begins in Philly with urban graffiti. This book was probably one of the first attempts of tying the larger history and background of railroad graffiti to date. While the chronology of that history was a little disjointed as the book moved from chapter to chapter, the lineage was easy to string together all the same. To add to the appreciation of this book, there's also a chapter towards the end about monikers, an earlier type of railroad graffiti related by canvas, but created instead with chalk, paint sticks, or industrial crayon by itinerants and rail workers themselves, which goes back decades before spray paint was ever invented. In the end, it's all traveling art on a nationwide tour.
The photographs in the book were numerous. There are hundreds, maybe close to a thousand. It would have been so nice to see these as full-page prints each, on longer pages to replicate the visual you get seeing them on actual freight cars. The only down side of that is that they would have had to do some heavy editing, since there would have been no room to include them all.
There are quotes, stories, and perspectives of writers on nearly every page. You can see how they all have the same passion for what they do, but their perspectives are wide ranging. Some are very open to and supportive of new writers; others seem to become old men before their time, knocking the new generation who aren't really all that younger than they are; and then you have certain arrogant New York subway writers who limit themselves because they think subway trains are the only "real trains" and are derogatory towards anyone not on the coast. While there a few writers who don't care at all about any permanence of what they do (they understand it's illegal and ephemeral), most are captivated by the fact that their work can be seen by people nationwide and actually last longer on a freight car than if on a building or wall. There certainly was a lot of work interviewing and documenting the writers, and compiling all the quotes. While a lot of what writers were saying became very repetitive at times and some of this could have been edited down, the fact that writers were named gives them credibility, showing that these aren't just random, anonymous people spray painting trains, but actually artists with their own styles.
June 5, 2024
Outside my home office window I look out at an active train track. I noticed the stylish and vibrant art pieces flashing by and started to snap pics. They reveal a deep and rich energy that I tap into with my own art. There is a bookstore and exhibition studio a mile away that also borders the train track and this is where I found this great visual testament to this art movement.
This book includes comments and interviews with scores of writers which give context and understanding to the movement but the best part of this large, colorful book are the hundreds maybe thousands of colorful art freight train pieces. I can’t imagine the bravery and adroitness of these writers. What they do to spread art and subvert the banal flow of commerce is a whole lot of good trouble.
This book includes comments and interviews with scores of writers which give context and understanding to the movement but the best part of this large, colorful book are the hundreds maybe thousands of colorful art freight train pieces. I can’t imagine the bravery and adroitness of these writers. What they do to spread art and subvert the banal flow of commerce is a whole lot of good trouble.
May 2, 2016
I'm not exactly sure at what point in my life
vandalism became art
but at some point I came to see
graffiti as art
I'm not talking about
"tagging"
or gang nonsense
but proper ART
just carried out on an unusual medium
that is to say
the side of freight train cars
An ubiquitous part of the landscape in
most of America
especially in urban areas close to rail yards
freight trains are the perfect medium for modern artist
they are constantly changing
demanding that the artist keep their style
fresh
new
and evolving
I know many still see this as
hooliganism
but it is one of the truest forms
of modern art.
All I can say is that when stopped for a
long train crossing
seeing a truly unique piece
of art race by
brightens my day.
vandalism became art
but at some point I came to see
graffiti as art
I'm not talking about
"tagging"
or gang nonsense
but proper ART
just carried out on an unusual medium
that is to say
the side of freight train cars
An ubiquitous part of the landscape in
most of America
especially in urban areas close to rail yards
freight trains are the perfect medium for modern artist
they are constantly changing
demanding that the artist keep their style
fresh
new
and evolving
I know many still see this as
hooliganism
but it is one of the truest forms
of modern art.
All I can say is that when stopped for a
long train crossing
seeing a truly unique piece
of art race by
brightens my day.
October 14, 2023
Watching graffiti caught me from the very youth. Though there is always a thin line from vandalism. Would not accept tagging in a sake of tagging or boring unkeen pieces which is akin to pure rudeness. Especially where it is not expected: monuments, historical buildings, churches, etc. While transforming grey, abandoned or rusty surfaces into colourful, mindblowing and vibrant images is a form of art. Suddenly freight train cars might be such surfaces ..moving surfaces.
February 17, 2007
This book (mostly of pictures) takes a closer look at the phenomenon of Freight graffiti. From L.A., to N.Y.C, to Canada this book features testimonies, crazy stories and a brief history of rail yards and some of the earliest forms of graffiti. Not to mention some of the sickest artwork ever!
February 4, 2012
One of the few published pieces on freight specific graffiti. A lot of people that contributed greatly to this community are missing but in Gastmans defense it would be nearly impossible to include everyone
February 3, 2008
Lots of graffiti. Lots on the philosophy and behind-the-scenes of graffiti. Lots of trains. Sweet.
January 14, 2010
Beautiful photobook, great reference piece.
September 12, 2007
lots and lots of pictures. so sad mine is water damaged...
January 9, 2009
Always admire some great reproductions...
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