Rail Tagging

April 5, 2015 - Salmon Arm, BC

Graffiti

Graffiti is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface, often in a public place. Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and it has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire.

In modern times, paint (particularly spray paint) and marker pens have become the most commonly used graffiti materials. In most countries, marking or painting property without the property owner's consent is considered defacement and vandalism, which is a punishable crime.

Rick Mercer walks graffiti panted walls while doing his weekly rant.

Graffiti may also express underlying social and political messages and a whole genre of artistic expression is based upon spray paint graffiti styles. Within hip hop culture, graffiti has evolved alongside hip hop music, b-boying, and other elements. Unrelated to hip-hop graffiti, [citation needed] gangs use their own form of graffiti to mark territory or to serve as an indicator of gang-related activities.

Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create disagreement among city officials, law enforcement, and writers who wish to display and appreciate work in public locations. There are many different types and styles of graffiti and it is a rapidly developing art form whose value is highly contested and reviled by many authorities while also subject to protection, sometimes within the same jurisdiction.

Tag: A form of graffiti signature

Tagging: Much like, but not to be confused with graffiti. Tagging is signing your name or other representation of yourself on anywhere public. (walls, bus-stops, alleyways, paved streets, etc.) 

Unlike graffiti, tagging usually takes less time and skill as it is done in one color with a single can of spray paint or thick marker.

Skytrain Railway Graffiti Removal

BC Transit has a Zero Tolerance policy towards graffiti. Their policy is to not allow any Skytrain to be in service with visible graffiti as this will only attract more graffiti. Graffiti Removal Team’s first Skytrain Railway Graffiti Removal back in 2003. We are very proud of BC Transit’s Zero Tolerance policy.

This Saskatchewan grain car has a tag that is not finished. One would wonder if the car will ever return to the artists neighbourhood for him to finish the art work.

Canadian Pacific Railway

CP Rail has a much more difficult graffiti problem to deal with. They have over 100,000 railway cars and locomotive spread out accross North America. Graffiti Removal Team proudly began working with CP Rail in 2002. Railway cars cannot be protected or inspected the way BC Transit can. CP Rail’s policy is to remove graffiti:

• Where it impacts safety
• Offensive, racist and sexist graffiti
• Obscures rail car ID numbers

The Rail Car below was one I saw stopped on the double track in Salmon Arm, BC. These tracks are adjacent to the Nature Bay Wildlife Sanctuary walking path.   

So until next time remember to "Discover It and Live It".