Like Graffiti World, Freight Train Graffiti is the definitive history of a vibrant art form. Until now there was almost no written insight into this vast subculture, which inspires fascination across America and around the world. As dazzling as the art it celebrates, the book is packed with 1,000 full-color illustrations and features in-depth interviews with more than 125 train artists and "writers." Hundreds of never-before-seen photographs span the style's evolution, while the authoritative text from an all-star team of authors provides unprecedented perspective, including the first-ever written history of "monikers," the precursors of graffiti, developed by hobos and rail workers to communicate en route. Bound to surprise graffiti artists, graphic designers, and urban culture buffs alike, this book will inspire anyone who has ever been interested in graffiti.
Freight Train Graffiti is the first comprehensive insight into a subset of the graffiti world that has become the focal point for many graffiti artists today. It takes us on a fascinating visual journey through the freight train graffiti landscape, with stories, ideas and thoughts from over one hundred of the most influential and prolific freight train artists (many of whom have consented to interviews for the first time) and c. 1,000 stunning illustrations.
A thick book on American freighttrains, ranging from how the system was built up to how the graffiti moved from the subways to there. Featuring hundreds of never-before-seen photographs spanning decades of the genre’s existence and interviews with over 125 revered freight train artists, this authoritative and brilliantly illustrated volume offers exclusive insights into the world of freight train graffiti.
Chapters:
The American Railroad: Right-Of-Way, The Development of the freight train system.
From Vandalism to Art: Writing, How graffiti became a culture.
Freight Pioneers: American-made, From subways to freight trains.
Creating a movement: Rolling stock, Connected by rails.
With the force of a freight train: Rolling thunder, The return of a trainpiece.
The new rail fans: Highballing, The next generation.
The opposition: Derailments, Chase stories.
Monikers: Oilbars, Names and messages.
Conclution: Limitless service, endless tracks.