Yard Safety

[alsar]

i went 2 that dead trainbum 1, mate that is sick what kind of sick assholes live in our krazy society?? they must be sick in the head or somethin, and this is a stark reminder too all of us, mess around with 2 tonnes of heavy metal and u could pay the price. i think that while still keepin it real, we should write safe and respect that where we try 2 write the people that throw us out of the yards are only doing there job, altho like kracked said there r some angels and arseholes. u could help brinmg out an angel if u be nice. peace out till next time

[alsar]

thats exactly my point every train is an oppertunaty, (i kant shpell) the trains are there for the picking, so PICK THEM!! the guys (workers) are usually tired after a long hard day, and arent really concernde (well, sort of) and just wanna go 2 their hotel room and sleep. this is a good time. keep writin kracked u r a world of info!:)

[jekls]

what about hideing from helicopters that pass over every once in a while. Or if you got the cops called and they are spotlighting you from above? (just a question)

[Dick Quickwood]

how about try to get away

[EasoeDSF]

Originally posted by jekls
what about hideing from helicopters that pass over every once in a while. Or if you got the cops called and they are spotlighting you from above? (just a question)

If you have been spotted by the lights from a helicopter your done. There is no running from that.......

[Mr.Windle]

man i paint trains on a regular basis in sfv california ive never really thoght about all this shit that train bums shit is fucking raw man i cant belive i looked at that shit:confused: :confused: :confused:

[njbomber]

:cool:

[vchj]

I was born in a small town, and lived right next to a very big Yard, I would cross the tracks everyday at least 4 times a day! My Dad worked and still might for Union Pacific. I would always jump them at the couplers, and even go under them. My rule was if they are going slower than i can jog...I would jump them insted of wait, usually at the couplers. Even pulling bikes over with me! Damn Good Good GOOD Informative thread! BUMPZ!
Enyway My Dad being a "Steel Erection worker" hahaha i always thought that was funny...for Union Pacific. That was my first hustle on how to talk your way out of a jam. Im no freigt watch er whatever there called, but I was able to talk my way out of trouble with the little knowledge I had on U.P. And what all goes on......
My Advice for all those without Dads with Steel Erections...Read this thread Again Again And Again......And remember it when you get jammed up by workers ,Bulls, Cops Ect.....Thanks again

[xwibxonex]

so carl, you think if a regular mechanic driving down the lines in his little white truck were to see me, he'd immediatly call the cops? i've never had a run-in with one, but i get the feeling i could talk my way out of it.

[vchj]

In alot of cases yes. But its all about how they generalize, and bum is a bum, A Street kid is a street kid. but at the same time they have jobs to do (Mechanics anyway)But jus to cover the bases, think up Scenarios, and and practice talking your way out of them.
For example: Was caught in the yard one time, and had just finished peicing, I was on my way out. As soon as the bulls got out, I initiated conversation, went something like this...."Damn are you people ever gonna build a new Station ? That building has been there scince The Fortys!" "Whua" was there first statment. Next it went like this," I used to see my dad off from that parking lot every week, when he went out of town, That old fart is 50 years old, and hes still working here." Later on I explained I lived a few houses away, and a short cut through the yard, is always faster, beings how I know it pretty well.
Its all about letting them know you have some kind of corprete knowledge, and your not gonna be there long. I dunn know It worked for me.

[123456789]

bump.....too much good info...this should be on top of the metal heads section...

[res_AY]

Around how many workers are usually in a yard? like a shitload or a couple?

Im supposed to go to this really big ass yard on monday, and Its not so much the train safety im worried about (which i still am a little, but im confident i can 'treat every line like its moving'.) but Im pretty much worried about gettin chased,being that im a fatass, and im not used to paintin in a yard,or being in a yard period.

[Rizo]

is it commom to see workers cruising in ATVs? a freind and i broke on some the other day = amazing how fast you can run and jump when your adrenaline pumps

[shake em off]

nice info

[.:wizo:cdc:.]

whats up people, thanks for all the information that everyone put in, its greatly appreciated, well, i have been wanting to paint trains for a long time, but i never had a ride to the yard or ne thing like that, its just way too far from my house, well 2 days ago me and my boy went down to where i knew there was some train action, and a little yard, that they prolly use to switch shit up in, im not sure tho, i dont really know much about yards and stuff, but i wanna learn more, cuz im pretty sure there isnt much security in our yards, but when i get my bike fixed im going to go down there and watch the trains and learn what kind of shit goes on and when they move the cars and all, but i have a few questions, we were chillen and all and there was like this one little section, there were like 3 rows of tracks, and one of the outside rows had like 15 cars on it with no engine attached or anything, were they humping these cars or just storin em there? right kind of parallel to there, there was a track comin off of those that had an engine there just chillen, my boy wanted to get inside it and shit but i was like nah man thats way too risky i dont wanna do all that, now you may call me a pussy and all, but i wasnt gonna step foot on that thing cuz i knew alot less then than i do now that i have read all this, anyways...2 questions, that make me sound really toyish but first what is a number like i read someone say not to go on the numbers or somethin like that, second, a lay-up, i understand that a lay-up is like a platform thingy what do these look like and where are they usually located, if it helps im in louisiana, pm me if you can help me with this or you can post up on here, i would greatly appreciate it thanks a million for all of your input on this subject...peace

flamerider29@hotmail.com or on aim dkpunklifeaf

[MOTIVE ROK]

a lay up is where trains go overnight and shit, waiting for the other train to pass on their rail,etc

numbers are the numbers you seen on a freight train

this is more of an artistic photo, but these are the numbers people talk about not going over, dont go over them beacuse thats how the yards/workers etc. identify what theyve got in their yards also, a train must be takin outa service if it has no numbers so your only hurtin yourself if you go over em[img]http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00355480f00000015.jpg'>

[MOTIVE ROK]

sorry, i dont know why thats not wrokin


numbers on a gondola[img]http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00355480f00000018.jpg'>

[.:wizo:cdc:.]

i understood about the numbers thing and not paintin over em and shit, its just the way people were talkin about not goin over em or somethin like that, seemed like they were talkin about like goin to a certain part of the tracks or somethin, thanks alot man ppeace

[king kong]

TRUST ME U DONT WANNA GO OVER THE NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY WHERE IM FROM...

[Jait]

it's also worth pointing out that workers are different every where you go. Like in California I've had nothing but good vibes from train workers, especially when I hopped out of the Colton yard up to Bakersfield and down a hotshot back to LA. They gave me water and even let me ride in an empty engine when I had to switch trains due to a breakdown. But in Chicago, workers will straight up shoot with air guns cuz they don't want you anywhere near their shit. My man Cos paints only daytime spots in Vancouver and my man Take5 chats with the workers anytime he's in the yards up in Canada.

[maskedvandal]

cool or nort some workers u have to watch for always stay on ur toes and be ready to dip and dont get to friendly with ppl u dont know that can cause u trouble

[ODS-1]

NO SHIT!

[hashy]

might sound dumb but iv only like been on a train like 5 times in my life and i wondering which rail is dangerous

[ODS-1]

That's mainly on subway and light rail tracks. The third rail, which runs down the middle between the two other tracks, has electricity running through it. If you step on it it will electrocute you and yes you will die.
For freights it's the part of the trac that they use to change directions with. If they hapen to change it while your futs on that part it will get caught. The only way to get it out is to let the train come and saw your leg right straight off.
I don't know. Perhaps there is someone who can explain this better than me.:eek:

[ODS-1]

No actually you would have minus one leg.

[hashy]

you mean like the where 1 trak splits into 2 right? fuken scares the shit outa me think bout getin stuk in traks

[ODS-1]

I know. Whenever I'm by the tracks I'm always explaining to people how they could get their legs cut off. Paranoid motherfucker.

[JonJacob]

cracked said

"Basically, if you are between lines and one line starts to move, and you don't have a deathwish, you must stop whatever you're doing and either get out or at least pay close attention to what's going on. Move to the nearest end of the car you're next to of the stopped line, climb the ladder and either cross over and wait, or stand on the back walkway with a FIRM handgrip (in case that line also moves suddenly). "

On cars that don't have a crosswalk, but do have a ladder on the back and front of the car (like some gondolas) is it just as safe to hold onto this ladder as it would be to stand on the crosswalk and hold on? I'm not talking about the ladders on the sides.

[Cracked Ass]

That works, but you must keep a firm grip, in case the car you are clinging to moves suddenly. It's happened to me plenty of times (two or more adjacent lines moving at around the same time). Of course, if it's so busy that adjacent lines are moving simultaneously, you are probably in a poor spot to be painting or even fucking around at all.

[JonJacob]

I have a question...

Here is a picture of a spot I know

track 1 __________________________________________________
track 2 _________________________________________
track 3 /_________________________________________
track 4 /__x_______________________________________________

tracks 2 and 3 are sidings off of track 4, and the x is me. All tracks are empty except 4. Tracks 2 and 3 are about a half mile long, and I only go there at night.

Occasionally engines come down track one, and you can see their headlight when they are about a mile away. When I see one coming I cross over tracks 3,2, and one and hide in the woods until the engine passes by and is out of sight. The problem is that when I look both ways before crossing the tracks, the headlight shines right in my eye. I'm worried that the headlight shining in my eye would make it hard to see anything else coming towards me down one of the other tracks from the same direction, perhaps backing up.

I think that if something was backing up towards me down one of the other tracks it would block my view of the headlight and be backlit by it therefore making it visible. Does anyone have any input on this situation?

Painting the other side of track 4 is not an option and neither is crossing over the cars on track 4 because they usually don't have crosswalks.

[Dick Quickwood]

hmm...

i'm guessing the light dosen't go very far width-wise, and the engineer is concentrating on what's directly ahead. what kind of cars don't have crosswalks ? maybe you could just go down line #4 when an engine comes, and look for one with a crosswalk. that sounds like much of a hassle than going all the way to the other side of line 1.

[JonJacob]

usually line 4 has a really long string of gondola cars, and none of the gondolas have crosswalks, each one does usually have a ladder on one end though.

[Ckit]

alright im kinda new to trains. ive only been painting them for about a month or so. i havent ever painted in yards yet but where i do paint its the trains that stop for a couple days and where workers unload them into werehouses and such. just wondering if anyone else paints at these places, if they are safe to paint at (getting caught, hurt, whatever) also, whats the difference between these and layups? thanks for any information, i dont want to find out ive been getting lucky and one day get caught or killed.

[beestur.]

Originally posted by Vanity
ummm, cracked.. you say that seein a worker is no reason to run,, but then you say yer best bet is to get outta there if you see a worker...

help.

[Cracked Ass]

beestur: already answered earlier in the thread, read the whole thing again.
ckit: you're living the good life. 'layup' is anywhere a train parks besides a yard.

[Feäà m3]

I had to post this due the large number of repeat offenders. I have read this thread from beginning to end and found the same shit coming up over and over due the lack of reading and comprehension skills. Start from page one before asking another retarded question. This thread is way to helpul to be overlooked. Keep the rails rockin!

[RuzE]

have you ever been in a situation were one of your friends got hert or killed by doing stupid things in the yard?

[ownage3k]

*bump*

just read this front to back, really good info, i don't know shit about freights and this really helped me get a clue

nice job.

[far...]

next summer i'm moving to europe and even though slightly different i imagine these tips will help me a lot...i'll be living right across the street from a train station which also does all the "humping", there is always sleeping trains there as well...however its a ghetto ass area full of russians and MY biggest fear is meeting some punk ass thugs, not even the railworkers, should i get a gun??? do any of u paint trains in ghetto areas???

[.:wizo:cdc:.]

Hahaha, my yard is in the GHETTO! I paint in one of the worst places of my town. No one around there thinks about walkin around at night alone, or even in small groups. My happy ass goes tho, its kinda scary..

[far...]

louisiana has a ghetto? well hell i'm not just talking bad housing etc. but in this region these russian thugz will cut you up for your shoes, or simply beat the shit out of you if you don't speak russian!

[=[BeRZeRk]=]

theres a good thing at my yard theres a free train thats not even on the tracks yet!:idea:

[Bosco]

Most yards are located in what some people would call "ghetto" areas. Trainyards tend to lower the land value around them, most cities will buy the land and build public housing projects. Since most yards were built years ago, they tend to be in innercity areas. The exception would be newer or recently built intermodal terminals which tend to locate in the outskirts area where alot of logistics, warehousing, and business parks are located. Because of the locations of trainyards and their proximity to low income areas, crimes against the railroads are common. I know a retired city cop, who I swear looks like Richard Pryor, and he tells me stories about working w/ the railroad police kicking in doors in the housing projects busting up railroad theft rings. I know theirs cats on here who have crazy stories as well from their areas. If you can't handle the consequences or be prepared to act when a certain situation arises in a trainyard, layup, dock spot, mainline track, or whatever, my best advice would be to stay out...

[micro]

i just wanted to say that i think its awsome to have this much knowlage about what ur working with. keep it up cracked...i have the upmost respect for you and ne1 else that posts threads like this 1.
][V][ ][ C ][D []
......................

[newdeal7]

some of the questions im seeing...you guys need to learn a few more things. better get someone to show you around before you walk in all high and mighty. shits not a joke its dangerous. know where your lines come from, where they go, all the ways in and out and the surrounding area. you learn by benching and go in to royal farms and its called ADC. or mapquest your city if you got a highspeed internet or bored in school. i look foreward to seein your trains roll through my spots...

[micro]

i thank got i read this thread b4 i went to the yards 2day...i was climbin a car and out of nowhere i see another rollin 2wards me so i jumped off and messed up my foot a lil bit but if i hadn't read this earlier i wouldnt have paid as much attention and would have been screwed...thank you
][V][ ][ C ][D []
......................

[DC]

Not sure what things are like in the US, but in Australia, any employee working near live tracks is required to wear a reflective saftey vest. Most times now, if I'm on Railway property where I shouldn't be, I'll wear one. Not only do you look like an employee, (who is authorised to be there) you also have the added bonus of being more likely to be seen by a train crew if you're in the way.

[|3 00 ||]

I was walking through this one yard yesterday, and I'm walking passed some oil tanker cars. All of a sudden I hear, *ping, ping, ping!* so I stopped(scared the shit outta me), because I thought someone else was in the yard. It almost sounded like somebody throwing little pebbles into the tanker car. So I walked around to the front of the oil tanker, and listened again, *ping, ping ping!* Does anybody know what this is? Because it happened to every oil tanker car in the yard.

[Cracked Ass]

Pinging tankers are letting off small pressure increases. They have something called a pressure release device which blows off a little steam when pressure rises in the tanker. (Just air comes out, not any dangerous chemicals.)
Tankers often heat up in the sun (especially black ones - ever wear all black on a hot day?), slightly raising the internal pressure, which is taken care of by those short, pinging releases of air. I was startled the first time it happened to me, by a line way out in the boonies with nobody around. That used to be a nice spot.

[|3 00 ||]

Originally posted by Cracked Ass
Pinging tankers are letting off small pressure increases. They have something called a pressure release device which blows off a little steam when pressure rises in the tanker. (Just air comes out, not any dangerous chemicals.)
Tankers often heat up in the sun (especially black ones - ever wear all black on a hot day?), slightly raising the internal pressure, which is taken care of by those short, pinging releases of air. I was startled the first time it happened to me, by a line way out in the boonies with nobody around. That used to be a nice spot.

damn man! graffiti encylopedia! You are a world of knowledge. Thanks for all the tips!

[LaCosaNostra]

This may be useful, I have no Idea whether or not it's been posted, it's been awhile since i read this thread start to finish....But, it's a list of what the horns or whisteles coming from engines mean.....(like morse code)
http://irfca.org/faq/faq-signal5.html#whistle

[Gunm]

Common sense but I always look up and down the tracks every few minutes or so even if it's obvious there's nothing on the horizon. I never realized how goddamn silent those trainbs run until they're almost right on top of you sometimes.

[mak99]

jeez.i never thought that u could see other graff artists just strolling around da traK'S,there must a be lot of writers in da us,in ireland theres not many.its still of high standards though!

[quiz1]

Dude that shit is fake the reviews such as like bumbfights and crap that is real but the death shit were it shows someone dead on the site dont you think it would be kinda hard to get them pics from the hamasicde division or the yard please think about it that shit is so fake lol i waz watching fule tv the other day it waz a comercial and the kid ollied and he some how hit a fince with barbware and his arms came off. lol and the other day a cmercial were a flying car with a kid with a gun that lifts stuff up come on now that waz done on a commercial just think of the time they had to plan that death out and take pics of it if you wanna see real death so you can tell the diffrents from fake and real death watch fucking FACES OF DEATH ok now that shit is sick and i will never watch it again there are many copys of it go down to the fucking local video store and ask them about it fuck. Well anywaz it will look alot worst then that pic if you get hit by a freight and
Peac and keep your head up

[Lil Bro G]

yea thanks cracked for all this info. I've been wanting to start doing trains for a while now and this will help me a lot. We need more threads lke this on 12oz. We need to look out for each other and threads like this will help.

[imported_nelACKson]

Originally posted by far...
louisiana has a ghetto? well hell i'm not just talking bad housing etc.

are you serious? Louisiana is fucking grimey.

[Ident]

I didn't feel like starting a new thread but here's a story I found wich shows why you should think about safety...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-re...h/s_155538.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/pittsburgh/s_155538.html)

[timemachine]

one piece of advice
dont get killed

[ODS-1]

Originally posted by Fox Mulder
i have a question. this weekend i was benching in the woods just outside of a pretty active yard. and this car pulls up and a girl is driving and a guy who looks like he is maybe 20 gets out and the girl drives away. he looks at me and just starts walking the path in the woods. i watch him walk down a little then lose sight of him. mean while there is a line sitting on the first track so i can't see shit on any of the other lines. about 20 minutes go by then the train pulls out. and since it just started moving its going real slow. then i see the guy run out of the woods. hop on the back of one of the new white tropicanas. he goes around the back. so then i think oh this dude is hopping. but he doesn't have a bag or anything. like 10 seconds later he jumps off. and goes back into the woods. anyone know why this guy did this? he didn't look like a bum. and if he was going to hop why did he get off plus he had no bag. i looked on the back of the car he hopped on to see if he had tagged it or something but he hadn't. i'm guessing no one on here will know why but oh well. </span> [color=indigo]I was just having some fun. Bump.

[ODS-1]

I'll lay off the purple here so it's easier for everyone to read. I don't know if this was mentioned but everytime my friend and I are near tracks he tells me not to step in the track switch. (The place where the track moves to get the train on another track.) The reason is that if they happen to Move the track, (Which would mean a train about to use that track is approaching), your foot will get caught in there. And from what I here you cannot get it out. Eventually the train will come and sever your leg. This doesn't always require someone to get out and pull the lever next to the track. As I was told, they can do that electronically. I can only think of one way to get out. If the track switch lever is within reach (it's that yellow triangle type thing) try to turn it and then turn it back when you are free. I doubt this would even work so you best not step in the track switch in the first place. Do any of the more experienced folks no the truth about getting caught in track switches?

[DaDecorators]

well the thing is that if you consider that the track switches have to make sure that a thousand ton train dosnt go on the wrong track....that must mean that they are pretty strong and may even sever your foot before a train comes to do it.

thats got to be the messisest way to lose your foot:lol:

[pinataside]

Depends really if your talking freightys or urbans....overhead wires are alive 24-7 in melburn yards but are only on standby until the train -warms up- then moves ...basically fuck all power runs from the wires to the trains body until then.. also the underneith generator have no exterior live volts running thru them even when the trains going so under the train is always alot safer than ontop with the risk of contact with the wires.....AS LONG AS IT DONT TAKE OF!!!!!!!!!!

[Cracked Ass]

ODS -
I stay in the habit of not stepping in track switches no matter what - great place to trip or fuck up your ankle - but what your friend said is mostly true. You can get your foot severed (or stuck, and then the train finishes the job) in AUTOMATED switches, which are usually only on busy lines or in or just outside of yards. They are remotely operated by a dispatcher or other play-caller. Switches out in the boonies are not automated, they have to be thrown by hand. Smaller railroad yards can even be all manual. You'd have to be real slow, dumb, and unlucky to get your foot squashed in a manual switch, what with the worker right there and all. He might even just tell you to move instead of crushing your foot.

[SWX1994]

^^NO SHIT.
in the ignorance of my youth i got my foot stuck in an automated switch, on a transit line. luckily i was able to get my foot out of the shoe. i had to ride the subway with one shoe...i guess it beats going home in a box.

[ODS-1]

Originally posted by SWX1994
^^NO SHIT.
in the ignorance of my youth i got my foot stuck in an automated switch, on a transit line. luckily i was able to get my foot out of the shoe. i had to ride the subway with one shoe...i guess it beats going home in a box. ^ mos def... thanks cracked.

[freightster]

i had safety training for Metro here in Los Angeles and just to let you know the track switch moves in less than a second, so you aint gonna hear or see that shit till it clamps your foot. and you better be wearing boots cause it'll take your pumas off along with your foot. just stay the fuck away from those things, cause the light rail here runs adjacent to commercial rails, and you could be in a world of pain if you step on the wrong tracks.

[dummyrun]

i need new trainers, with some grip, my rail side saftey is poor... slippy slippy

[WallDecoratR]

just as long as you stay on the third rail, your safe

[WallDecoratR]

wait, thats not right?

[ArtistikFunk]

Cracked-
Good looking out- Nice to see somebody out here kicking the P' to the less experinced.


Don't smoke blunts or cigarettes around tank cars- You will blow the fuck UP!

When climbing over couplers- Always hold on tight to the hand rails & watch out for the Slack action of the loaded heavier cars moving forward from the rear of the train- This is what kills most Conductors.

When Painting/taking flicks in a hump/bowl yard always look both ways before taking your shot - Rolling stock is very quite & will kill you!!

When painting at Night - Always be on the look out for flatcars they're are the biggest killers of yard workers...... Your peripheral vision is impaired in the dark & the natural reactions of most people is to look up- not down!!

Watch your back for crazy Hobos from Hell & Schizo bums that dwell in & around every yard- You just might get shanked for painting in the front yard of their home!

look out for R.R Cops more now- their Are are out in Numbers now with Camouflage gear & Black Attire with Glocks & night vision shades due to the new Terrorist threats on the whole Railroad system....



keep alert, keep alive & keep on rockin'

[Grimes]

Railroad snippers,damn thas crazy,but all of this is very helpful and very true,so take in as much as u can and remember to be safe,good lookin fellow rail lovers

[booze pirate]

Crossing under trains is the gangster thing to do now a days...didnt you hear?..

[wacytabacy]

yo trains are scary... look out for aliens:dazed:

[ASER1NE]

ESE , if u didnt get a response to ur forklift incident on like page 2 , they got TWO different looking forklifts there that attach to the lines and push and pull them around to the different loading bays , and they are QUIET . So always be careful when around that spot .

[PeakLCO]

Originally posted by quiz1@Apr 14 2004, 05:10 PM
Dude that shit is fake the reviews such as like bumbfights and crap that is real but the death shit were it shows someone dead on the site dont you think it would be kinda hard to get them pics from the hamasicde division or the yard please think about it that shit is so fake lol i waz watching fule tv the other day it waz a comercial and the kid ollied and he some how hit a fince with barbware and his arms came off. lol and the other day a cmercial were a flying car with a kid with a gun that lifts stuff up come on now that waz done on a commercial just think of the time they had to plan that death out and take pics of it if you wanna see real death so you can tell the diffrents from fake and real death watch fucking FACES OF DEATH ok now that shit is sick and i will never watch it again there are many copys of it go down to the fucking local video store and ask them about it fuck. Well anywaz it will look alot worst then that pic if you get hit by a freight and
Peac and keep your head up
Quoted post


No man, I don't think you get it. Those pics on rotten and dead bums are all completely real. You can think what you want, but I am telling you those are real pictures.

[Chance Em Redy]

This thread owns.

:love2:

[oghavik93]

b very careful wen walking tracks we dont need any dead.. graffers.. besides if ur hit by a train and im their ima take ur paint... :chicken:

[99centsAcan]

lookin at this shit makes me a lil more cautious bout goin to the yards and hittin shit up..



i almost sharted

[THE OMEN]

i found a quiet yard in my area and i sat and watched everything that was going on...humping...moving stuff around...i was wondering is there anyway that you can track and/or tell just by looking where the cars go?

[Dimm]

http://www.westindianfolkdance.org/

[The Leader]

Originally posted by THE OMEN@Dec 18 2004, 01:58 AM
i found a quiet yard in my area and i sat and watched everything that was going on...humping...moving stuff around...i was wondering is there anyway that you can track and/or tell just by looking where the cars go?
Quoted post


Most yards I have been to have a set schedule, but that doesn't mean the random line wont come in un-expected. Them moving stuff around has no schedule. Every day is different. Due to the terrorist alerts and whatnot most tracking sites aren't online anymore. If you are in your yard enough you will notice the workers like to drop things. I've been able to track several cars (unfortunately just for a limited amount of time, usually just until it gets to the next yard) by papers they drop. Keep in mind most of the time they are old papers and wont do you any good.

[Mr. Peanut]

i've picked up invoices dropped by workers listing what car held what, and what company it was for. i'm a nerd like that.

[Neskoner]

i was in between lines and there was a long metal pole about as thick as a coat hanger stuck in a door,and if you were hit by it while the train was moving it cut your leg up pretty damn bad..im sure the workers discovered it before they moved it,but that would suck if you were close to a moving train and a long metal pole hit you in the face....

[MitNGEK]

ive almost been hit by moving cars twice but moved out of the way fast enough not to be hit

[ragehardcore]

trains kill dumb people

traincrashvideo (http://wcbs880.com/water/watercooler_story_048081949.html)

[ON THE HOE]

Originally posted by Cracked Ass@Oct 22 2003, 01:03 PM
beestur: already answered earlier in the thread, read the whole thing again.
ckit: you're living the good life. 'layup' is anywhere a train parks besides a yard.
Quoted post


YO CRACKED, THANKS FOR THE HELP.........
DO YOU HAVE A FEW DIAGRAMS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARS AND WHICH NUMBERS TO STAY OFF??? GOOD LOOKS..........

[ELGAE1]

bumps for the info. I've been writing for about five years, but this will be my rookie season in the yards.

[REVOLVER]

DAMN CHECK THIS OUT!!!!!!!!

http://www.freeipods.com/?r=17653707

HURRY b4 offer ENDS!!!!

[Entro123]

awesome info

[YEN]

there's a wealth of information in this thread. thanks for the read.

[bentone]

Wow, this is a real good threat! :king:
The place where I go to take flix is real cool. It is only about 3 tracks, and it is fairly secluded.(no people to bother you) It is not a true train "yard" but there are always a lot new cars parked there everyday. The best thing is there are no bulls or yard workers.

[swedishzug]

one day in hawaii there will be a rail transit please come hear and bomb on it

[reks@DehT]

don't worry i will go there to do just that.

[Skecha]

wutta bout the LA metro......can u piece that?

[BLOODY BEAN]

Originally posted by hashy@Aug 31 2003, 05:42 AM
might sound dumb but iv only like been on a train like 5 times in my life and i wondering which rail is dangerous
Quoted post



all tracks are dangerous.... u are made of soft breakable bones.... the trains are made of tons and tons of steel and wont even budge after running u over... so any rail is dangerous... avoid standing on the rails..

[NeRVe54]

good call^

[iloveyoursister]

Originally posted by Skecha@Jun 3 2005, 01:52 PM
wutta bout the LA metro......can u piece that?
Quoted post

hahaha, no you can't...

[Home Time]

:haha:

[murdoc]

Thanks a lot buddy. Keep it up.

[StepYaGameUp]

edittt

[edogg]

http://poetry.rotten.com/train-iii/

[edogg]

http://poetry.rotten.com/autrain/

[Flavicon]

Jeez edogg, at least give us a warning

[i_write]

when ur planning to go in a trainyard, you should go to it and look around... examine it and shit... see where u can get in, look for cameras, see if the traffic will spot you while driving at night... and i had a mate who knew a guy that worked in the train spotting business, and gave him the schedule so somehow get a schedule and ur all set

[ELSE_KGB]

Good info... Funny. I been hittin up freights lately on a regular and alot of these things is just stuff you know by instincts; just from hangin around the yards a couple of times. Its actually weird seeing it being explained in words.
If youre hittin enough freights on a regular, you can not prevent the inevitable... You gonna be seen at some point. But for the most part I 99% of the time stay away from anything that breathes and bleeds like me. 150% of the time I get right to business as soon as I step into the yards so if all of a sudden theres another person around...theres a good chance they caught a glimpse. I never stick around to find out.

Just this past weekend, I had to climb a steep ass hill and run through thorn bushes, ankle deep in snow, with a camcorder and mad paint. But at the moment, in my current situation, I cant afford to have any type of encounters with any law enforcement. So Im definately running.


KGB Government

[skirmfirm]

Originally posted by Flavicon@Dec 23 2005, 05:50 PM
Jeez edogg, at least give us a warning
Quoted post


OhMyGod,
Yer, i wish i hadnt clicked on that second one, the first guy must be gutted, somone nicked his shoes.

[skirmfirm]

Originally posted by MaKeItHaPpEn@Mar 26 2005, 02:03 PM
i was in between lines and there was a long metal pole about as thick as a coat hanger stuck in a door,and if you were hit by it while the train was moving it cut your leg up pretty damn bad..im sure the workers discovered it before they moved it,but that would suck if you were close to a moving train and a long metal pole hit you in the face....
Quoted post


This is something ive always worried about, wether painting a tight trackside or a next-line train, commuters are always smooth, and noticably dangly-free, but rusty old freight wagons could have a number of dangly broken metal, doors, undercarriage etc, witch protude out more than usual.

[MAR]

This whole thread is brimming with homo-sexual ubertones every post should have a no homo attachment.

Otherwise: Good stuff, very informative.

[runniggarun]

:haha:

[bomstar]

thnks 4 d info

[hill billy]

Originally posted by bomstar@Feb 25 2006, 03:14 PM
thnks 4 d info
Quoted post

! M@kE FrE!gHt TrA!N $L@p Up 0nE T!mE-->{WERD}<--you know what i'm say'n?

[IROCKHOES]

Hey guys does it mean anything significant if a freight is leaving a yard with its doors open, Im assuming where its headed it will be filled up with cargo? http://static.flickr.com/50/126039935_225bbcb428.jpg?v=0

[Cracked Ass]

It is significant in that somebody left the door open.
It has no other significance.
Little more unusual to see a loaded car with an open door.

[doSeismydAd954]

go0d ass thread.....helped a Toy like I out lol

[ACEOFSPADES]

i don't paint yards, just photograph, but even that's dangerous if you are into that. Don't ever underestimate the yard. Freights can go in either direction, so even if you don't see the locomotive the end car can still move. Don't trust the rail-signs either. I used to think that if the lights were red the train couldn't go in that direction..got a nice surprise when the freight moved that way anyway. Like everyone has said, dont cross under trains, thats just plain dumb. Some of the best writers in the world who knew "everthing" about yards have been killed. Never let your guard down...i walk like that cat on Charlie Brown Christmas with my head back and forth at all times. Plus don't get caught up in the action and not be aware of your surroundings, a lot of times I see graff and go straight for it not noticing all the bums around...not a good idea. Always remember that trains can come at any time...you may know the schedule like the back of your hand, but trains are late and early sometimes and freights are unpredictable.

[br0k]

Can anyone provide any insight regarding cabooses?

I've never had the chance to go inside one except really old models with a bed for workers and whatnot. If a caboose that normally sits at the outlet is sitting behind a layup, should I worry about anyone being inside it at the wee hours of the morning -- sleeping, waiting for the next line to arrive for humping -- or did the railworkers just leave that shit there for the next day?

[56ACEinyoface]

bump! this thread is very helpfulL! ive learnd a lot just sitting here and reading shit like cars humping ,live yards,ghost cars, air stuff , engines. very very helpful!

i came here to read about trains cause last night i was in a train yard that was VERy alife and kicking! i was taking flicks of a train that was passing by , and then when it passed by i dicited to paint on the box cars next to it and then as i was painting it starts humping! and shit my pants and run to the bushes . then i decide to go back and finish my hollow it humps again!!!!!!! and crap my pants again and run to the bushes sweat like 4 pounds of sweat. then i just decide to get the hell out of there cause that thing was alive!! o yea im not going back there tonight after i read this thread.

[Bed.]

This helped me out when I saw it, so I thought I might as well share it... These are the numbers that people keep talking about for those of you that do not know...


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/CFN/en_howtoread_legend.gif

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/CFN/F-209a.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/CFN/595583404_ORIG.jpg

Follow what is being said in this thread, and try not to end up like that...^^^^

[NeWoNeCaKcRu!]

dont get hit by a train theres my 2 cents...

[dontone]

red means stop and green means go.
what about double signals?

bump.

[skop1]

poor dog !!!!

[Oliver Clothesoff]

save the numbers

[honkylipss]

This whole thread is brimming with homo-sexual ubertones every post should have a no homo attachment.

Otherwise: Good stuff, very informative.


shit is mad funny.

[dontsleep34]

read up on this stuff bump to page 1 this stuff has saved my ass in more then once trains hump there like horny teenagers every so often they get bumped

[liebe]

*Bump*

Top stuff!

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

QUICK HIDING METHOD--- If you here a railworker coming down the line, checking numbers or pressuring up the hoses. You first thought is to panic and run as fast as you can, DONT. If the worker is on the other side of the car just simply climb the ladder on your side. Make sure you make asleast noise as possible. Stay there until your sure he has made his way totally down the line, or has just left. Another way to avoid capture is simple. If there is a boxcar behind you that has an open door just slide you and your paint in there silently, just chill in one of the corners until the worker is atleast 20 yards away. Sounds a bit lengthey, but better safe then sorry. And if you decide to use the latter option make sure that you leave no evidence on the ground, plus make sure you're above the sturup, and your feet are not hanging out from the bottom of the freight.

[vekn]

some of
those gaurds a fucked in the head id wonna get the fuck outta there if i was hearin shit

[write away]

cracked/ese, great insight.

[dontsleep34]

Eon wut if he shuts the boxcar your in?

[MA562]

anyone see helicopters that are not ghetto birds? I ve been spotting a lowbudget looking chopper following the lines here in so.cal. he cruises above the lines up and down periodically. is this run by the rail companies?

[sidebuster]

lol

[tiklemypickle]

whats humping? sorry i dont paint metal no yard near me

[its faze 1]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b116/ihaterain99/000_0325.jpg

[its faze 1]

whats humping? sorry i dont paint metal no yard near me

read the begining of the thread. theres 10 pages. obviously its been said

[kait]

bump for everlasting freshness..

[Shefone]

its all too easy for u guys to paint trains, here in NZ u get smacked with a baseball bat as soon as u enter the fukin yard. and its not by the security or rail company either, the graffers that claim the yard do it.

[dontsleep34]

well maybe you actually wondered into a baseball dimond.... and find ur own yard then lol.

Luckly the yard I hit up is way out of any highway/city/town so you have to drive to get their. This prohibits younger writers from using the yard because they have no way there. Not to say young writers arent good but Most writters start young.

[Shefone]

yeah ours aint the closest to get to ae, ireckon the further they are, the easier itll be, is it?

[dontsleep34]

shefone i was just playin lol

I dont think its always easyer the farther away you go from like a large city. Before you go in anywhere take a look around durring the day with a camera say your takin pics.

[sp]

dress warm in the winters!

[trim1]

specially here in new england

[AT AT]

rotten.com is gigigtygay i hate it

[Super Z]

no numbers...

[creat]

Ok guys me n my mates live near the fr8 yards and we hit em all the time there is many things you need to know befor hiiting them many of you guys have stated em hear but the mane things is that bulls patroll numbers the most that is the most they do so try to stay of the numbers and as someone said about runarounds there are not many of them in australia ramblers are very silient so watch your step you dont wanna be turned in to shit from a rambler also dont climb the little step laters and with the hissing if you hear it repediavly it is a brake man walking the lines and leeting all the compressed air out of the brakes so get under cover and dont let him see you we have had some preety nasty ass workers befor the type that keep questioning you CALL bulls onto you and will sometimes do wat ever they can to get you caught so leave run but always keep your eyes open for ramblerssss

[Super Z]

ramblers?

[AOTPrep]

an old man rambling on about this and that

or just read the first few pages of this thread

[Newport Pl, NW]

haha creat that was the longest run-on sentence ever.

[Super Z]

runon sentences are key

[kraven]

BUMP THAT DOG!!

[CIMER]

Im new to this forum in general and this is the first one i came to...This is by far the most usefull worthwhile knowledge ive ever come across...my thanks to whoever put this on, cracked, i think it was, thank you sir...i recently had a friend lose his legs to the trains and thank the gods of steel he is still with us to crush another day....Trains are raw pure energy and you should never become complacent in the yards or a lay-up, complacency will kill you...

[CharmCity]

QUICK HIDING METHOD--- If you here a railworker coming down the line, checking numbers or pressuring up the hoses. You first thought is to panic and run as fast as you can, DONT. If the worker is on the other side of the car just simply climb the ladder on your side. Make sure you make asleast noise as possible. Stay there until your sure he has made his way totally down the line, or has just left. Another way to avoid capture is simple. If there is a boxcar behind you that has an open door just slide you and your paint in there silently, just chill in one of the corners until the worker is atleast 20 yards away. Sounds a bit lengthey, but better safe then sorry. And if you decide to use the latter option make sure that you leave no evidence on the ground, plus make sure you're above the sturup, and your feet are not hanging out from the bottom of the freight.


No offence man, but that's a horrible idea. Boxcars aren't supposed to be open, and you rarely see them open in yards anyway because they get closed pretty quickly. Any worker would probably close an open boxcar if they saw it in the yard, meaning you'd get your ass shut in there. That'd be hell.


This is a great thread. I've only been going in yards for a little while. I never made a lot of the nessesary connections to be safe, and knew about humping but never concidered all the shit that could happen with it. I feel like this shit could save my life. That vertigo thing was really helpful. I was streaking at a lay up the other day and hoped up on a couple to watch a train go by, and got an intense dizyness since I was so close to it. Definately a good tip. Being in a yard without learning this shit is like driving a car if you don't know how. Fuckin around with death machines.

[CharmCity]

Does anybody know if workers are generally more cool with streaking then painting? Of course they are people who are all going to react differently, but I was just wondering about people's experiances.

[Sort_1]

:scrambled:

[hsifdab]

I've read a good portion of this thread already and I haven't come across the answer to this question. If i passed over it, sorry. Where are layups usually located? Are they always a certain distance away from the yard? Or are they just in random areas?

[StephenHarper]

If you take the distance of your yard and multiply it by 3.86 miles divide by the width of the of your yard and finally raise it to the power of of however many trains pass through on an average day you should be able to pretty much pinpoint the distance the first layup will be from your yard.

[¤Shark¤]

If you take the distance of your yard and multiply it by 3.86 miles divide by the width of the of your yard and finally raise it to the power of of however many trains pass through on an average day you should be able to pretty much pinpoint the distance the first layup will be from your yard.

OMFG YOUR RIGHT! :) thank you so much. that cleared up alot of issues i had.

[¤Shark¤]

Well after trying out this method, i realised you had to convert it all to metric with my metric country overhere.
Now i know where the layup is located.

thanks again. also i had to add the average angle degree of outboud rails to the amount of trains, and it pinpointed the exact train i was gonna hit, so just another tip for all you toys wanting to know.

[WorldBench]

If you're in Germany and you're in layups or on tracks... be very careful. These DB trains are quiet as hell and don't clank cars together like the freights in North America.

Also always look behind you when walking around, those trains will be doing 30-50 MPH and stop on a dime. And you wont even hear the damn thing until it's about 100 feet behind you. Also the engineers in the cab are very high up and usually cannot see you if youre on the side of the tracks so becareful for that.

Watch out for Cameras too, the DB uses cameras on all the turns coming into stations and out of stations, and most the DB trains have cameras all around the trains. The cameras are very good too, and the dudes in the security booths can zoom in and out.

They have cameras sometimes on railcrosses, so if youre painting overpasses there or track sides, dont bomb during the day.

Just what I've seen since I've been here... Not sure about German Freights or Tankers, don't see too many of those parked in the layups. But they use the same engines the DB's do.

[Issac Brock]

Can someone post a pic of what a walkway between cars looks like, one that is safe to go through? I don't have much freight experience and I've only gone under and around cars before. Now I don't want to do that.

[beantownbeatz]

there is this spot in my town where they park these freights, there alreayd fucked up to high hell. There parked under these 2 bridges next to a construction site. Theres a giant ass field with 20 ft high weeds for easy hiding or running. These freights are only taken out and moved around and thats it. Ive heard some chatter that there bait, but if you stood inbetween them you could peice an theres no way in high hell someone could see you. I dont know much about metal so im just looking for an opinion think its straight or bait.

[androidx]

Spend a good amount of time checking it out. Chill somewhere that you can easily see the area. And just wait it out for a while and see if you notice anything sketchy. Chances are it's all good and you just found yourself a great spot.

[bub-ole]

i have one of these:cool: best thing to happen since free paint

[xploda11]

any of u seen the trains in Japan? there so clean they make me sick

[king crimson]

any of u seen the trains in Japan? there so clean they make me sick




been there, done that

[sk8er6]

ok, i know this place, i dont think its a yard, but it weaves into these industrial areas (places they manufacture shit, tiles, etc.) they have box cars around a lot. but i want to know what the hell is going on? some of them arent anywhere near the buildings. and they cange about every week or so.

[androidx]

have a few of those right by my place. They are most likely loading cars there with whatever shitments they make.

Scope it out. Sit outside there for a hour every couple days. Learn the schedule of when workers are there. Find out the timing for when it's clear and go paint that shit.

[offdatHUBBA]

I went to a yard for the first time on sunday. got chased.

[dr.pepper]

WORKERS. These guys can be your best friend or your worst enemy, and much of it is up to you.
First off, rail workers are regular guys. They spend a lot of time in the yards, don't see too many friendly faces on the job, and have different personalities, from angelic to asshole. This means that with the right attitude, you can have a more positive encounter with workers than you think, although it will always vary by the individual worker, and the hotter the yard, the less friendly a reception you should expect.
Workers know the dangers of a yard, so when they see a trespasser their first reaction is often of concern: they don't know whether or not YOU know anything about yard safety, and don't want to see you get killed in their yard. Even a cold bastard of a worker won't want to have to look at your dismembered corpse. So they'll all be concerned, not so much that you're trespassing, but whether you know what you're doing around freights. If you show that you know what you're doing that improves your chances to have a favorable encounter with a worker - nothing's guaranteed, but just remember that there's no reason to flat-out run from an ordinary worker, you may be able to reason with him. I know one cat who got caught painting red-handed (literally) by a worker, who said, "We can smell your paint three lines over." He came and looked at the piece in progress and said "That's cool. Just stay off the numbers." Then he left without further comment. There are a few art appreciators out there...rare, but it happens.
I don't want to paint a rosy picture here, so let's talk about the difference between THE BULL (railroad cops) and regular yard workers. First off, in the old days and still today, rail workers are 100% unionized. They stick together like that. I don't know if anything has changed recently, but bulls have always been non-union. Surprisingly, the bull is often despised or barely tolerated by the union guys: he cruises the yard, eating donuts or whatever, and mostly just kills time, hoping not to have to do anything on his shift. Nowadays, with some yards heating up, there are more bulls, they are more sophisticated and somewhat less likely to be really lazy, and may get more cooperation from yard workers than before, but in general the union/nonunion thing is still a reason the worker might like you better than the bull, and not rat you out to him.
A lot of this unlooked-for friendliness in workers is reserved for hoboes, especially discreet, respectful ones. You could walk up to a yard worker and ask him what time and what track you'd want in order to catch a ride on a freight to a certain city, and he'd tell you and then warn you what kind of car the bull drives so you could avoid him. Again, this hospitality varies enormously from yard to yard, and the big city yards are much more likely to be hostile, but there are still plenty of places in North America where you can do this today. That's for hoboing, though. Painting is a different story. More workers will be angry with you for painting. Some will be OK with it but will insist that you stay off the numbers. Rarely they will sic the bull on you, or in one case I heard of, beat the shit out of you. So, if you are seen painting the best bet is to try and get away; if you're surprised up close by a worker who is obviously not a bull, try to reason with him, showing him respect, pointing out that you're avoiding going over the numbers, and saying you're OK with leaving if that's what he wants, it's his yard. Some of these situations can be salvaged, other times you're just fucked and should run like hell. But if you're seen by a worker and there is no way he could know you're there to paint, say hi, start a conversation if it seems feasible. If he's cool you may be able to get information like chill times and places, whether there's a bull at the yard, etc. Don't mention graffiti unless you really hit it off great, or he brings it up.
For a bull encounter: if seen painting, get the hell out. If you're just walking and he can't know what you're up to, approach his vehicle when he yells at you, be calm and reasonable. Pass the attitude test. Unless he's a real dickhead he won't do more than give you a spiel about how it's private property and you have to leave. Be agreeable and do it, and don't come back for eight hours, by then his shift will be over and any new encounter will be with a different guy. If the same bull catches you a second time on his shift you're fucked.

This being said, what if bulls catch u with paint or a streak on u do you think you could be fucked than? any info is appreciated.

[booze hound]

there is this spot in my town where they park these freights, there alreayd fucked up to high hell. There parked under these 2 bridges next to a construction site. Theres a giant ass field with 20 ft high weeds for easy hiding or running. These freights are only taken out and moved around and thats it. Ive heard some chatter that there bait, but if you stood inbetween them you could peice an theres no way in high hell someone could see you. I dont know much about metal so im just looking for an opinion think its straight or bait.

that spot is dope..if im thinking of the same one

[Syfr]

If they catch you with paint, I'd say that varies. Depending on your situation, you might be able to sneak away if you have the same color paint that's on the car. Like, not of other bombs, but the actual paint set. Maybe have stencils of random number assortments. That way you could claim that you look at the freights cause you're a train enthusiest, and you hate how people vandalize them? Then just take the color from the train, and fuck a tad bit of your shit up. Then, when they leave, re-do it. Dunno about a streak, and dunno how well that'd work. Only yard near my place is like a 3 hour drive away, and I'd have to spend like 200$ for the trip there. It's a bitch man, a real bitch. The yard is pretty chill, never saw any different cars there in like three years.

[heirkb]

aight this is real stupid but im really new to freights so whatever...waht is a lay up? i looked through the thread and all i saw was someone callin someone else a cop for not knowin what a lay up is...if it is somewhere in teh thread can someone show me cause im blind...

[bub-ole]

If they catch you with paint, I'd say that varies. Depending on your situation, you might be able to sneak away if you have the same color paint that's on the car. Like, not of other bombs, but the actual paint set. Maybe have stencils of random number assortments. That way you could claim that you look at the freights cause you're a train enthusiest, and you hate how people vandalize them? Then just take the color from the train, and fuck a tad bit of your shit up. Then, when they leave, re-do it. Dunno about a streak, and dunno how well that'd work. Only yard near my place is like a 3 hour drive away, and I'd have to spend like 200$ for the trip there. It's a bitch man, a real bitch. The yard is pretty chill, never saw any different cars there in like three years.
i feel you man. same cars in 3 year time period. like a museum.luckly i get a few clean hoppers every now and then

[waseface]

QUICK HIDING METHOD---Another way to avoid capture is simple. If there is a boxcar behind you that has an open door just slide you and your paint in there silently, just chill in one of the corners until the worker is atleast 20 yards away.
this was said in regards to hiding from workers...how would it feel to be shut in that boxcar for who knows long? i wouldnt do that.. hah

[bub-ole]

yeah i agree^ some of the boxcars in my neck of the woods only get opened like once a month.

[trip donavin]

yeah i agree^ some of the boxcars in my neck of the woods only get opened like once a month.


why the fuck would they get opened once a month?????? it gets open wheen shipped to the factory thats going to load them and ship them out......

[trip donavin]

WORKERS. These guys can be your best friend or your worst enemy, and much of it is up to you.
First off, rail workers are regular guys. They spend a lot of time in the yards, don't see too many friendly faces on the job, and have different personalities, from angelic to asshole. This means that with the right attitude, you can have a more positive encounter with workers than you think, although it will always vary by the individual worker, and the hotter the yard, the less friendly a reception you should expect.
Workers know the dangers of a yard, so when they see a trespasser their first reaction is often of concern: they don't know whether or not YOU know anything about yard safety, and don't want to see you get killed in their yard. Even a cold bastard of a worker won't want to have to look at your dismembered corpse. So they'll all be concerned, not so much that you're trespassing, but whether you know what you're doing around freights. If you show that you know what you're doing that improves your chances to have a favorable encounter with a worker - nothing's guaranteed, but just remember that there's no reason to flat-out run from an ordinary worker, you may be able to reason with him. I know one cat who got caught painting red-handed (literally) by a worker, who said, "We can smell your paint three lines over." He came and looked at the piece in progress and said "That's cool. Just stay off the numbers." Then he left without further comment. There are a few art appreciators out there...rare, but it happens.
I don't want to paint a rosy picture here, so let's talk about the difference between THE BULL (railroad cops) and regular yard workers. First off, in the old days and still today, rail workers are 100% unionized. They stick together like that. I don't know if anything has changed recently, but bulls have always been non-union. Surprisingly, the bull is often despised or barely tolerated by the union guys: he cruises the yard, eating donuts or whatever, and mostly just kills time, hoping not to have to do anything on his shift. Nowadays, with some yards heating up, there are more bulls, they are more sophisticated and somewhat less likely to be really lazy, and may get more cooperation from yard workers than before, but in general the union/nonunion thing is still a reason the worker might like you better than the bull, and not rat you out to him.
A lot of this unlooked-for friendliness in workers is reserved for hoboes, especially discreet, respectful ones. You could walk up to a yard worker and ask him what time and what track you'd want in order to catch a ride on a freight to a certain city, and he'd tell you and then warn you what kind of car the bull drives so you could avoid him. Again, this hospitality varies enormously from yard to yard, and the big city yards are much more likely to be hostile, but there are still plenty of places in North America where you can do this today. That's for hoboing, though. Painting is a different story. More workers will be angry with you for painting. Some will be OK with it but will insist that you stay off the numbers. Rarely they will sic the bull on you, or in one case I heard of, beat the shit out of you. So, if you are seen painting the best bet is to try and get away; if you're surprised up close by a worker who is obviously not a bull, try to reason with him, showing him respect, pointing out that you're avoiding going over the numbers, and saying you're OK with leaving if that's what he wants, it's his yard. Some of these situations can be salvaged, other times you're just fucked and should run like hell. But if you're seen by a worker and there is no way he could know you're there to paint, say hi, start a conversation if it seems feasible. If he's cool you may be able to get information like chill times and places, whether there's a bull at the yard, etc. Don't mention graffiti unless you really hit it off great, or he brings it up.
For a bull encounter: if seen painting, get the hell out. If you're just walking and he can't know what you're up to, approach his vehicle when he yells at you, be calm and reasonable. Pass the attitude test. Unless he's a real dickhead he won't do more than give you a spiel about how it's private property and you have to leave. Be agreeable and do it, and don't come back for eight hours, by then his shift will be over and any new encounter will be with a different guy. If the same bull catches you a second time on his shift you're fucked.

This being said, what if bulls catch u with paint or a streak on u do you think you could be fucked than? any info is appreciated.

yeah, they want to look like they do some work, catching kids painting on trains is something they do twice a year. they wont be cool if you have paint on you, but to get caught by a bull is stupid, you will see his lights way before he see you. unless its during the day, then you shouldn't be painting during the day unless you know its chill....


I know alot of rail workers about 40+ of them, only a few are dicks but if I seen a worker I would just talk to him and he wont give a fuck about seeing me in the yard just tell me to be very carefull. or ask me to leave, scared Im going to get hit by a train the the yard. its better to not paint somewhere workers are working...


P.S--------lay up...its where you see trains in the middle of no where with house's behind them and only chill for an hour or two waiting for clearance to come in the yard. there you go newbee's

[bub-ole]

production is slow right now so thats why they arent used that often and im talking about a switching yard also. one freight sat in the swithup for 3 months and the 2 times i was benching i seen some workers come and open it, look in and then closed it and left so i dont know. and if you come upon a worker in the yard dont run just be casual and talk to them they usally dont mind if you are taking pictures but dont go upto a worker if you have 15 cans in your bag that are gonna rattle when you walk upto him.not smart.just be chill and you should be good.

[heirkb]

alright can anyone help me out on what a layup is and on how to identify one?ive loked through the thread and people use the word but i dunno waht it means

[bub-ole]

yeah, they want to look like they do some work, catching kids painting on trains is something they do twice a year. they wont be cool if you have paint on you, but to get caught by a bull is stupid, you will see his lights way before he see you. unless its during the day, then you shouldn't be painting during the day unless you know its chill....


I know alot of rail workers about 40+ of them, only a few are dicks but if I seen a worker I would just talk to him and he wont give a fuck about seeing me in the yard just tell me to be very carefull. or ask me to leave, scared Im going to get hit by a train the the yard. its better to not paint somewhere workers are working...


P.S--------lay up...its where you see trains in the middle of no where with house's behind them and only chill for an hour or two waiting for clearance to come in the yard. there you go newbee's at least he looked hard:lol: :clown3:

[heirkb]

damn...i looked through like the first seven pages or so and then decided that nobody would be defining what a lay up is after that...my bad, i told you i was blind as hell...

[Melquiades]

your definition of a layup is wrong

[rusty antique]

sounds like ur describing a stop line to meeeee.

[bub-ole]

yeah i couldnt tell you anything about subway layups because all i paint is freights.

[herbsyntec]

Right now there is a show on Spike TV about train wrecks...sobering, it will probably show again, keep the eyes peeled. Trains are no joke. Watch out for the passengers trains flying through the yard.

[zoloft]

a lay up is like a bed & breakfast for the hard workin freight, does that help?

[Toe Cutter]

i'm about to go to paint freights for my first time and in an extremely active yard. im worried because i dont know anything about paint freights or if its even safe to paint a huge yard thats active 24/7...

[kage-]

this doesn't have much to do with anything, but my mother works at a hospital and a yard worker was humping cars and for some reason jumped in between couplers when it was humped or something and got slammed in between him and now he has no body below his belly button. thats just an idea of how dangerous the yard can be.

[kage-]

oh by the way he can't shit and he's gonna live for like another month

[Hayabusa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_terminology

everything is out there
just know where to look

[DM!]

can somone repeat this again, so what is the best way to cross a line of trains?

I know never to go under or above, and also never in between. so how do u get around!?

[bub-ole]

can somone repeat this again, so what is the best way to cross a line of trains?

I know never to go under or above, and also never in between. so how do u get around!?
umm...seriously.
just so you dont get killed i will help you out.
i dont know what your painting but on most freights you can climb onto a little ladder and some times there is a walkway on the front of the freight.dont climb onto the top of the car but going OVER not inbetween the coupler is okay just dont stand on air lines are anything that looks like it wont support your weight.But my most useful piece of advice it to stay out of the yards in general leave the painting to the people that have common sense.:D

[DM!]

i have common sence, its just that i havent been in a yard, but i plan too, and i dont wanan die :D. thanks.

[Overtime]

can somone repeat this again, so what is the best way to cross a line of trains?

I know never to go under or above, and also never in between. so how do u get around!?


superman over them

dont climb over the knuckles, or go over them, climb the ends of tankers or boxes, just hold on for sure

[colors]

do bulls and workers drive in the same type of trucks do they have guns are their names and address lissted at some kind of website?

[Illegal Life]

cracked... still check this thread? wat do u know about passenger trains...?... pm?

[surefire21]

one time, me and my boy were painting a wall under a bridge about 5 feet from the tracks and around a corner came an amtrak train hauling ass. if i hadnt looked up at just the right minute and seen the headlights shining off some metal one of us woulda prolly definately gotten hit. we had about 8 seconds from when i seen it from when it rolled by us. the lesson i learned was always be lookin up and ddown the tracks, you never know when a silent amtrak comes rollin through. youll see those amtraks real far in the distance, and then before you know it, theyll already be by you, real fast and quiet.
another story i herd was this kid was ridin his dirtbike by some tracks and one of the workers in a train shot him with an assault pellet from a shotgun. he said it went right into the back of his shoulder a couple of inchs in. apparently this kid got really hurt. most likely hospitalized.

[Cracked Ass]

What do I know about passenger trains? More than I have time to type, you wanna get specific?

[JigaboosPigaboos]

an assault pellet from a shotgun.

A what?

[bub-ole]

A what?
one of those riot control guns with the rubber shots.

[clownin]

whens the best time to hit the freights, what about during the day

[Hermit Volcano]

wait at a mainline in the woods..chances are one day a train will stop due to an accident, then just destroy while you can because that's your only chance.

[paintdestroys]

find a gud spot to day bomb

scope it out b4 u hit it

dont bomb if uve never bin to the stop

dont be stupid.

[thrashcat]

This is a really good thread. Always better safe than sorry when it comes to graff. At least for me :/

[sacwacko]

fuck i wanna go bomb trains. im only 15 tho :(.
how old are u guys???

[Freddy Mercury]

jesus christ......die.............

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

fuck i wanna go bomb trains. im only 15 tho :(.
how old are u guys???

im guessing you just started painting. so i would advise that you practice really hard on paper and just paint cardboard until youve improved your work
but you need to check the rules. asking personal questions is highly discouraged on here.
but you need to really read the first page where Cracked talks about the safety among other things. personally i think you should really do your homework and work on your style before you go and paint. nothing personal, but no one wants to look at someones shitty style with 100 arrows and drips all over the place. so study and work on your style and maybe in a year or year and a half from now you might be ready.

[chaddyboy_20000]

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate this thread! I've always thought it was common sense to treat every car as if it could move at any second, so I really pay attention to what I'm doing, but it's great to hear from people that have been around for a while and really know what's up.

I'm not a painter, but I just started flickin freight train graffiti about a year ago. After a worker told me to get out of a freight yard in Topeka, KS, I've been hesitant to go back. However, he was actually pretty nice about it, so I might go back and try it again now that I know that they can be pretty chill about it. Since I'm just a dude walking around with a camera, do you think I'd have any luck talking to some guys at the yard and seeing if they're cool with me being there? It's not a giant yard (about 15-20 tracks wide), but all of the frieghts there make me salivate when I drive by, and I really want to walk around and take some flix.

[Freddy Mercury]

You wont be allowed inside any working yard..Period...If the train master or yard master allowed that to happen- their ass is in the street....Get in if you can, but thats your tresspassing charge, take it with a grain of salt..Be slick, get your flix...

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

it depends on the yard and its amount of activity. some workers will be chill if you stay on the outside lines. but its better just slide in, get your flix, than be out.

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

Our reality today is dawning on a rapid technological change that is affecting all of our lives. Information is becoming more and more accessible through a global communications revolution that gives us access to information at the tips of our fingers, 24 hours a day. When we begin to imagine the possibilities, almost anything goes. As culture embraces technology, we must stand back and take a look around, and realize what is to come. As contemporary Hip-Hop culture and traditional rail culture fuse, a pattern of old tradition remains, and new ones begin. As writing and riding on the rails continues into the next century, technology will play an important role, affecting the writers, hobos, railfans, employees of the railway, and many others.

Here's an interesting statistic: There are over 1.6 million freight cars rolling about North America. This includes boxcars, gondolas, hoppers, bulkhead flats, tankers, autoracks, refrigerated cars, and many others that roam over the hundreds of thousands of miles of track. Multiply that by 2 (two sides to every boxcar) and you have 3.2 million panels. In order for a writer to achieve fame on the lines, he or she must hit a multitude of trains. In order to be up on just 1% of the entire roster, a writer would have to hit over 32000 trains. Some of the most prolific writers in North America are attempting to hit as many as humanly or inhumanly possible, day & night, over and over again. Presently the most up graffiti writers on the lines are averaging under 600 burners on trains, which is a lot of time, risk, dedication, and paint fumes. When William "Upski" Wismat wrote about all the trains being hit by next summer, I think I said...dream on brother.

One hobo by the name of Herby had his name and drawings on more than 70,000 cars. With over 1.6 million cars x2, it seems unlikely to be seen on a regular basis, but there are ways to improve the chances of being seen. One way (Besides hopping a freight with a bag full of streaks and paint) is to be selective about which type of care you choose to paint. There are well over 2,200 different initials assigned to these trains, so choose well. The first criteria for trains are whether they are short lines (local line usually only traveling under a few hundred miles). There's a unique practicality in hitting a short line as you will be seen over and over again. A good strategy for being seen on the regular would be to you travel to different parts of the continent and hit shortlines. That way, your pieces or monikers stay in a particular area. Mostly every train yard has trains that come back on regular occasions. These are usually woodchip cars, rock carrier gondolas, and pulp related lines, as well as some chemical cars, depending on the local businesses serviced by the railway. Knowing which cars are bound to stick around, and which ones are not can improve your chances of being seeing more often.

There is a rule that assigns specific initials to certain regions of North America that will always, after long travels, eventually have to go back to their home regions. Some initials are so abundant that it is hard to tell where they are from or destined for. This is where the second part comes in. In an initial that is commonly used like BN or UP, a different method is used. There are thousands of cars marked simply BN, but how many of them start with he same three numbers? Usually only several hundred or more. For example tjere are series of cars used for the same purpose. CP 203111, CP 203222 and 203333 are usually headed for the same place, leased from the same company. Paying attention to the numbers in a fleet can help you know what is what. By using the Automated Shipment Location Systems provided by the railways, writers can study the patterns of these cars, and even particular series of cars, to determine what cars are going where. This would involved hitting several of the same type and series, and comparing the trace data, and waybill record. This does not give a total knowledge of the destinations, but it can help you understand what is happening in the complex world of moving freight.

Knowing the commodity and priority of the freight can also be useful. Intermodal trains (Twin stacks or Piggybacks), and Autotracks (Holy-Rollers) have more priority than boxcars and gondolas. These trains will make more trips, more often. By being selective, and by choosing a diverse number of initials, it is possible to archive more exposure at great distances. A burner from Alaska could be spotted in Mexico and come back with another burner on the other side. If someone from Kansas City hits a Canadian wheat train, it will eventually come back to Canada, and maybe never return to Kansas City at all. Flat boxcars may not always be the jewel in the yard. It's all in the initials and series, not the dimensions of the car.

There is also another way to determine a car's general destination. Take a car like RBOX. They own 12,997 cars. They do not have any track or locomotive equipment at all. They are a company that leases a fleet of railcars out to different railroads, like Conrail or CN. There are many companies that do this. One way to tell a company like this is if the last initial of the car is X. This indicates that the car is not owned by a railway. but rather a private company. This is almost always an assurance that eventually that car will leave and never come back. Sometimes this happens with entire fleets. For example an entire fleet of Canpotex hoppers (ex Santa Fe hoppers) were being used in the 80's down in Texas, but were eventually moved as a fleet to move potash in Canada. The graffiti markings form the 80's were still there, along with the newer Canadian markings when the fleet was eventually moved somewhere else years later.

Another method to figure out a railcar's movements are smaller RR markings on the car. Near the load limit stencils is sometimes another little stencil that tells us whom the car is leased by. Other times it may be stenciled in the top left corner, above the ladder. I hit a DWC (Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific), which is owned by Canadian National, but leased from the International Bank of Miami. A week and a half after marking it, I traced it to Florida.

In the world of freight riding, technology also plays an important role. To tell which direction a train is heading out of a yard, a rider finds where the FRED (Flashing Rear End Device) is located. This tells us which end is the rear of the train, and thus which general direction it is headed. The Automated Shipment Location Systems can also help us to know the destinations of a particular car or fleet of cars, with estimated time of arrivals and scheduled interchanges. This method could also help to determine a particular car's final destination.

What we are trying to accomplish is so extraordinary. We, the writers, hobos and railworkers, are contributing to the largest art gallery in the world, which is constantly moving around, almost randomly and chaotically. In that uncertain randomness, in that chaos of probabilities, we thrive for a taste of sychronicity and the bliss of seeing a marked freight roll by. We live to hear about someone seeing our designs somewhere in another far off place. It leaves us with such wonder and amazement; our souls traveling everywhere...

Take5

Body Soul Mind
Burning America

[Cracked Ass]

I'm now up on 0.125% of the fleet.

[a blind society]

Its hard to hear the unit coming because the sound comes from the sides and not from the front. Much like the sound from ambulance it louder after it passes you. once again be safe!

[Rustofills]

0.002%

[bomb_the_system]

my yards use to do humping but they dont any more, so they use it for storing freight cars only so would there be a bull there?

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

your yard isnt being staled. just dont paint it.

[poison pit]

Yea man igot rolled up on by the up cops they chased us on the free way for a minute until we had to stop or some big shit would of happened. They proboably would of just took us to jail without any questions.those cops scare me......ha

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

^wtf are you talking about man?

[poison pit]

what the fuck do you think im talking about?

[.hopeless.]

glad to see this thread started again, this is all essential info. Just to add to what cracked has said, dont underestimate the danger of humping. Humping doesnt just occur in large yards, I've watched crews hump cars (through a controlled crossing no less) at a small lay-up at WAY more than 5mph. And this was a lay-up small enough that neighbourhood residents would wander through walking their dogs, it can occur anywhere, so keep alert.
For those of you not familiar with yards, if you have the chance the best thing to do is just watch what happens in the yard, find a chill place (on the legal side of the private property line) and see how things work. Thanks for posting the info again cracked.

------------------
ESE - Nothingbutfreights

word.i had never seen that happen until i went to north carolina.it wasnt a yard at all but just a spot on the track and as i was walking by i heard this loud bang and all of the sudden like 4 or 5 cars go flying maybe 30 or 40 feet down the track and i had just crossed over it...be very very careful around them when the track is active like that.it scared the shit out of me and if i was on it at the time it happened id probably have died.

[rice eyes]

damn....
I hate seeing those things
that homeless guy is funny as hell though

/dontseekshadeunderfreightsoner

[Samuse]

Yeah it takes a yard sale to bring me out LOl

although I could come and go and you not even know it..

I did Julie that way last week LOL

[SpyVsSpy]

Maybe this is answered somewhere else in the forum, but I couldn't find it.

I'm wondering about the security measures on the New York subway system. How common are the motion sensors on the tracks? Can you know if you've set them off? And where does the alarm go off, at the police station, at FBI's or at some kind of security company?

[Rustofills]

Maybe this is answered somewhere else in the forum, but I couldn't find it.

I'm wondering about the security measures on the New York subway system. How common are the motion sensors on the tracks? Can you know if you've set them off? And where does the alarm go off, at the police station, at FBI's or at some kind of security company?

My guess is if you trip one your not going to know it and im pretty sure that when one is triped the MTA police are alerted.

[.hopeless.]

and with 9/11 and all the hysteria they'll be on your ass with a quickness.

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

yeah MTA seems to up there up their security every few months.. so look out. and get someone that has a bit of experience in the tunnels to take you the first few times you go.

[destruction]

ive never found out where any of my hoppers went. i seen one roll back about 3 or 4 weeks after i painted it. no luck on any other ones

[destruction]

This was a PM from SpyVsSpy


subways in new york - Today, 12:01 PM
Hi,
I just read your answer on the Yard safety tread.

I actually joined this forum to come in contact with subway painters. I study documentary film making in New York and have a graffiti background from Norway. I want to come in contact with subway painters because I want to make a movie about New York being the number one graffiti tourist attraction of the world, in the sense that people are come there to try and paint the subway, because of the difficulties and the history.

It seemed you had some experience with the subway system, and if you live in NYC I would really like to talk with about the film, the MTA and how I should come in contact with the right people.

Also have general graffiti questions about good spots an such.

By the way I just want to talk, you're not signing up for anything by answering this message.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks,
Jon











sounds like the FIN to me!!!

[bub-ole]

well jon, i believe you need to go back to kate and your 8 children. you already bought a motorcycle and got your ear pierced at the age of 32. its too late to start being a writer.

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

lol^

[asd80049]

daltonpaige (http://daltonpaige.blogbugs.org/9027815/Means-to-persuade.html)smithtrinity (http://smithtrinity.blogbugs.org/8648510/It-is-a-unique-form.html)doushenme (http://doushenme.blogbugs.org/8459348/First-time-in-his-life-happy.html)muggins (http://muggins.blogbugs.org/9164437/One-wrong-hands-all-of-a-sudden-a.html)huangyishi (http://huangyishi.blogbugs.org/)

[asd80049]

neither (http://www.seriousblogging.com/neither/98420/Hands+and+feet+can+be+no.html)huntervictoria (http://www.seriousblogging.com/huntervictoria/96345/Friends+of+post+-.html)undue (http://www.seriousblogging.com/undue/73245/Were+pleased+to+tighter.html)tigers (http://www.seriousblogging.com/tigers/99177/Closure+of+the+external+water.html)jasminerobert (http://www.seriousblogging.com/jasminerobert/81697/End+of+course.html)

[dsds801435sd]

davisdermot (http://www.iblogme.com/davisdermot/140406/Why+do+you+want+taken+away+my.html)yaalwhite (http://www.iblogme.com/yaalwhite/165673/Referred+to+here+fine.html)davisgerman (http://www.iblogme.com/davisgerman/70527/Silent+after+the.html)lucettamartin (http://www.iblogme.com/lucettamartin/125031/Brown+quickly+went+over+to.html)lucaniajackson (http://www.iblogme.com/lucaniajackson/163632/Xiude+her+ear+flush.html)

[2-C+C-2]

yeah .


No body listen to this guy. He has a green name, and thats the only thing he is 100% sure about, he has not been painting long, knows nothing about freights, and will only hurt you in the long run. Posts on 12oz do not equal freight knowledge.

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

im not some expert. but shit man. i know i can have a bad habit of talking out of my ass at times. but im not a complete idiot and not everything i say is wrong. half the time im actually saying the same things cracked did to kids that are too lazy to even go back to the first page. simple as that.

[2-C+C-2]

You're circling threads on 12oz, spreading incorrect info, that you gained from 12oz, only months before.

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

well maybe youre right. but being self taught and having no other resources to learn from..i dont have many options. except for logic and trial and error.

[2-C+C-2]

True, Im just saying, dont spread stuff around unless you're 100% sure its right ya know. I dont mean to be hard on ya.

[Yo son, YO!]

Whered this clip come from?

Our reality today is dawning on a rapid technological change that is affecting all of our lives. Information is becoming more and more accessible through a global communications revolution that gives us access to information at the tips of our fingers, 24 hours a day. When we begin to imagine the possibilities, almost anything goes. As culture embraces technology, we must stand back and take a look around, and realize what is to come. As contemporary Hip-Hop culture and traditional rail culture fuse, a pattern of old tradition remains, and new ones begin. As writing and riding on the rails continues into the next century, technology will play an important role, affecting the writers, hobos, railfans, employees of the railway, and many others.

Here's an interesting statistic: There are over 1.6 million freight cars rolling about North America. This includes boxcars, gondolas, hoppers, bulkhead flats, tankers, autoracks, refrigerated cars, and many others that roam over the hundreds of thousands of miles of track. Multiply that by 2 (two sides to every boxcar) and you have 3.2 million panels. In order for a writer to achieve fame on the lines, he or she must hit a multitude of trains. In order to be up on just 1% of the entire roster, a writer would have to hit over 32000 trains. Some of the most prolific writers in North America are attempting to hit as many as humanly or inhumanly possible, day & night, over and over again. Presently the most up graffiti writers on the lines are averaging under 600 burners on trains, which is a lot of time, risk, dedication, and paint fumes. When William "Upski" Wismat wrote about all the trains being hit by next summer, I think I said...dream on brother.

One hobo by the name of Herby had his name and drawings on more than 70,000 cars. With over 1.6 million cars x2, it seems unlikely to be seen on a regular basis, but there are ways to improve the chances of being seen. One way (Besides hopping a freight with a bag full of streaks and paint) is to be selective about which type of care you choose to paint. There are well over 2,200 different initials assigned to these trains, so choose well. The first criteria for trains are whether they are short lines (local line usually only traveling under a few hundred miles). There's a unique practicality in hitting a short line as you will be seen over and over again. A good strategy for being seen on the regular would be to you travel to different parts of the continent and hit shortlines. That way, your pieces or monikers stay in a particular area. Mostly every train yard has trains that come back on regular occasions. These are usually woodchip cars, rock carrier gondolas, and pulp related lines, as well as some chemical cars, depending on the local businesses serviced by the railway. Knowing which cars are bound to stick around, and which ones are not can improve your chances of being seeing more often.

There is a rule that assigns specific initials to certain regions of North America that will always, after long travels, eventually have to go back to their home regions. Some initials are so abundant that it is hard to tell where they are from or destined for. This is where the second part comes in. In an initial that is commonly used like BN or UP, a different method is used. There are thousands of cars marked simply BN, but how many of them start with he same three numbers? Usually only several hundred or more. For example tjere are series of cars used for the same purpose. CP 203111, CP 203222 and 203333 are usually headed for the same place, leased from the same company. Paying attention to the numbers in a fleet can help you know what is what. By using the Automated Shipment Location Systems provided by the railways, writers can study the patterns of these cars, and even particular series of cars, to determine what cars are going where. This would involved hitting several of the same type and series, and comparing the trace data, and waybill record. This does not give a total knowledge of the destinations, but it can help you understand what is happening in the complex world of moving freight.

Knowing the commodity and priority of the freight can also be useful. Intermodal trains (Twin stacks or Piggybacks), and Autotracks (Holy-Rollers) have more priority than boxcars and gondolas. These trains will make more trips, more often. By being selective, and by choosing a diverse number of initials, it is possible to archive more exposure at great distances. A burner from Alaska could be spotted in Mexico and come back with another burner on the other side. If someone from Kansas City hits a Canadian wheat train, it will eventually come back to Canada, and maybe never return to Kansas City at all. Flat boxcars may not always be the jewel in the yard. It's all in the initials and series, not the dimensions of the car.

There is also another way to determine a car's general destination. Take a car like RBOX. They own 12,997 cars. They do not have any track or locomotive equipment at all. They are a company that leases a fleet of railcars out to different railroads, like Conrail or CN. There are many companies that do this. One way to tell a company like this is if the last initial of the car is X. This indicates that the car is not owned by a railway. but rather a private company. This is almost always an assurance that eventually that car will leave and never come back. Sometimes this happens with entire fleets. For example an entire fleet of Canpotex hoppers (ex Santa Fe hoppers) were being used in the 80's down in Texas, but were eventually moved as a fleet to move potash in Canada. The graffiti markings form the 80's were still there, along with the newer Canadian markings when the fleet was eventually moved somewhere else years later.

Another method to figure out a railcar's movements are smaller RR markings on the car. Near the load limit stencils is sometimes another little stencil that tells us whom the car is leased by. Other times it may be stenciled in the top left corner, above the ladder. I hit a DWC (Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific), which is owned by Canadian National, but leased from the International Bank of Miami. A week and a half after marking it, I traced it to Florida.

In the world of freight riding, technology also plays an important role. To tell which direction a train is heading out of a yard, a rider finds where the FRED (Flashing Rear End Device) is located. This tells us which end is the rear of the train, and thus which general direction it is headed. The Automated Shipment Location Systems can also help us to know the destinations of a particular car or fleet of cars, with estimated time of arrivals and scheduled interchanges. This method could also help to determine a particular car's final destination.

What we are trying to accomplish is so extraordinary. We, the writers, hobos and railworkers, are contributing to the largest art gallery in the world, which is constantly moving around, almost randomly and chaotically. In that uncertain randomness, in that chaos of probabilities, we thrive for a taste of sychronicity and the bliss of seeing a marked freight roll by. We live to hear about someone seeing our designs somewhere in another far off place. It leaves us with such wonder and amazement; our souls traveling everywhere...

Take5

Body Soul Mind
Burning America

[IROKSoner]

hey lads im from melburn just wondering has anyone seen the graff dvd metal advocates if so please get bak to me

[Stotter]

^^Best post in this thread. How much % am I up if I painted 1 freight? :lol:

[_blank_]

wear your helmet, shin and elbow pads.

[KWASIMOTO]

know anything about "fast freight"?

[SATAN88]

[quote]"I'm wondering about the security measures on the New York subway system. How common are the motion sensors on the tracks? Can you know if you've set them off?"

You sure theres sensors on the tracks?? The only sensors or alarms ive come across in the tunnels are on the emergency exits......

[dontlookback]

im sure that article isnt currently statistically accurate. even with intermodals replacing boxcars. anybody have any recent statistics?

[scaneZZ]

I love my industrial spots but its time to venture into the yards. thanks for the lifesaving knowledge

[daniel05]

Hi all
Yard safety is a must. Safety benefits everyone as it reduces the opportunity for injury. Do not allow children to play with electrical yard tools. Necessary measures must be taken when we do any kind of work.
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[Dee..]

^^ is this guy actually talking about his back yard?!?!?!?!!?:confused:

[Cracked Ass]

No he's a bot who crafts a vaguely relevant sentence to the topic by picking out certain keywords. Then he spams you with his site in the signature. BANNED

[peterpopoff]

intermodals taking over. bye bye boxcar

[Talkofthatown919]

so glad i read this thread from beginning to end. Learned alot more then the little bit i knew