Full set of 2012 Welling Court Street Shots here:

www.flickr.com/photos/jimkiernan/sets/72157630217876858/

Over 60 Artists from around the world came and hit the spot!

Breaking Away Masi Bike Replica. Rustoleum Paint Job.

There were three bikes used in the movie Breaking Away. Dennis Christopher's bike and one ridden by Garry Rybar (Dennis's double). The third was the pump through the front wheel crash bike, a Sears Free Spirit. This replica was inspired by the fake Masi crash bike.

Three tracks running today. There were times when there were two trains on two different tracks in different directions, and I had to keep looking back and forth so I wouldn't miss an amazing piece rolling by behind my back.. A little sketchy today

as someone thought is would be a good idea to be out shooting today. Not with a camera, but a gun. I couldn't figure out where they were, but it was close.

Also, some sort of instagram photo shoot going on under one of the train trestles. Obviously with the graffiti in the background. :-)

Full set of 2012 Welling Court Street Shots here:

www.flickr.com/photos/jimkiernan/sets/72157630217876858/

Over 60 Artists from around the world came and hit the spot!

They used to be black but I chose Rustoleum's Spa Blue. I think this color matches the blue on the Chicago flag best.

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Volquetiando con odio y zons, outline a punta de sucker de rustoleum en un muro bien loco, que asco de N y E, la foto es una mentira, el outline y el powerline de cerca estan un asco

Today started out early. I went out to a spot that's not too far away but takes some effort to get out to. This really is a great area, and one of my favorite places to be. For just hiking around, or for benching. It's an amazing place. It's almost surreal how big and crazy the rocks and landscape are here.

Arrived at 9 AM, and after a short hike out to the tracks, the trains started rolling by. One after another, it was a super busy day. I've never seen so many autoracks during a session. Autoracks, at least for me are like rare birds, but today, they just kept coming! Caught pieces I hadn't seen before from some of my favorite writers, and that always makes for a great day out. Weather was great, I'm guessing 80F, but the wind.... The wind kept things pretty cool out. Almost cold, but not quite. Just about perfect.

I saw a deer!! I've never seen anything larger than a lizard when out here. While waiting for the next train I looked over and saw something kinda' hopping over a double set of tracks about 75 ft. from me. At first I thought it was either some kinda dog, or a coyote, but it was big. I looked over at my bag, in case it ran towards me and I needed to grab it and run, and looked back to see it hop over the tracks, down an embankment about 15 ft. high, onto the access road which is about 20 ft. wide and with two hops it was gone into the bushes. Really cool !!

Ended up leaving at around 4:30 PM, so a little over 7 hours. With longer days, and the way the sun travels here, it's almost better to show up later. There's a time around noon where no matter which side of the tracks your on, the lighting on the trains sucks. But hey, I'm out, away from society, seeing nature, seeing trains, graff, getting exercise, fresh air, and just plain getting away from my regular life..

Some people do yoga, some people meditate, some go to therapy. This is how I wipe away my daily life a couple times a month for a few hours.

Just wanted to throw in, I know every piece I flick isn't a banger, but I'm documenting graff. Today's toy, may be tomorrows king. And I'll have proof that he or she also was once a toy! Solid Gold!! :-)

As ALWAYS, thanks to the writers!

Writers, fellow benchers, and railfans, stay safe out there!!

For freight graffiti slideshows/videos hit up my YouTube here: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Instagram: @soilentseven

As usual, I'll be back in a few days to start going through and tagging my flicks with the the writer's names that I can figure out.

================

Oh, also as I'm finishing up editing photos from last weekend, heading into this weekend, I'm watching "Martha a picture story" Documentary about Martha Cooper, one of the OG's in documenting graff with high quality flicks years ago. One of the original authors of the Subway Art book. If you can swing renting it online to watch, or picking up a Blu Ray from Vinegar Syndrome, do so, it's a great film. vinegarsyndrome.com/products/martha-a-picture-story-utopia/

On my way home this afternoon around 4:45 (camera clock was off by an hour) I turned onto a long strip of road, and saw a train coming. I rushed to the other end of the road about 2 miles away and waited.

I had my Fuji X-E3 and a manual focus 7Artisans manual focus 25mm lens on the seat next to me and shot these photos from the car. Not super happy with them, but like I said, I'll be trying to capture what I see with the camera I have with me..

They are what they are.

I used the bottom of an old fire ring and some bolts to mount the Schrieber Squiggles. I was hoping it would look like mortar, but is it looks like white to me.

Single Speed Conversion - 1974 Raleigh Grand Prix.

* Frame - Original

* Rustoleum - Katz Hardware

* BB - Original (re-packed)

* Fork Tube - Original (re-packed)

* Crankset - Original (using 52 only)

* Brakes - Original Weinmann + Pulls

* Pedals, 20t freewheel, saddle, bars, chain, cotters, wrap - Amazon

* Wheels - 700c Rigida (Craig's List)

* Tires, Tubes, blocks - The Bike Shop Manchester

* Misc. Fasteners - The Home Depot

This is the passenger front fender that I rolled about a month ago. It still needs one or two more coats and then a polishing, but I'm going to get the rest of the car caught up first. This photo doesn't show how bright this orange really is!

Saturday, out on a beer run, brought the camera and ran out to one of my spots, flicked one train. I waited for another further down the line, but it was taking forever, and it was hot so I drove back home.

BUT!! It actually turned out kinda' cool, because I caught a bunch of railroad equipment on its way to repair some tracks down the line. To be dropped off somewhere in the middle of the desert, where guys in orange or green vests' in hard hats with clipboards will point at other guys to "Get to work!" and yell incoherent instructions. Was happy to see this equipment roll by on a Saturday to reminds me that I had one more day off before going back to work.

As always, thanks to the Writers, my fellow Benchers and Railroad Workers across the globe. You're all doing good work!

Stay safe out there guys!!

For freight graffiti slideshows/videos hit up my YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Instagram here: @soilentseven

SoCalFreights.com

irregularphotos.com

Lots of stackers (Again), some grainers, and a few boxes, but also some great pieces.

Anybody ready my descriptions? I always wonder..

Finally got out of the house around noon after wavering between going out, or staying in..., to drive out to one of the local yards to shoot some freights, and finally get to check out their railroad museum. Blue skies, a little wind (7MPH) and I'm guessing like 70F. Perfect day. Sorry for anyone back East who are going through extreme cold weather. The museum was really great, and I'll have to go back and spend a bit more time looking around, and maybe taking some photos/video so you guys can check it out too. Only stayed for a couple hours today.

This yard I only have a platform that's about 15 ft. wide. The first track, the trains run about 6 in. from the edge of the track, so in order for me to catch a whole car, including autoracks, is to use a super wide angle lens. I've been using this crazy wide, $140, 7Artisans 7.5mm "Fisheye" lens when I go here. Sometimes I correct the fisheye look, sometimes I don't. I did a bit of correction on today's photos. Just cropping, straightening, and lens correction. No color. Lens is fun to use, but that fisheye!!!!!!!

They're not perfect, and you'll still see distortion... Still, caught some great pieces, and had fun, and isn't that what it's all about. Getting out of the house, away from work and seeing some great art rolling by. Any day you can go out and see some art makes your life better. Get out and bench!!! Don't just look at photos online. Go out to your local tracks/yards, and hang out for a few hours. See the cars up-close, feel them in your feet, smell the brake dust in the air, and hear how loud they actually are when you're not in your car with the windows rolled up waiting to cross at the RR crossing.

Towards the end of my visit, about 25 foamers showed up like really quickly to shoot what I found out was a "Special" train rolling through today. Something to do with next week's Super Bowl. You'll see the photos in this set, it's the three 25th Anniversary engines, stickers and all, along with 10-15 silver luxury people cars. Why three engines for only 10 or so cars?? I Dunno. I have video of this line I'll upload at some point. It really was quite amazing seeing this roll through. Like 3 minutes after it was gone, there was nobody left at the rails but PasadenaSub Colin ( www.youtube.com/c/pasadenasubcolin ) and myself..

Thanks to all of the writers. Stay safe out there, both writers, and fellow benchers.

To see my freight graffiti videos click here: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOdGrtyTsyWVhLVHkwY0_-iu8P...

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Updated with new stickers and additional gear.

gear:

rear plastics and bumpers painted to Rustoleum truck bed lining.

Riehle mod to left and right fender caps

Gobi ladder

DepHep rack

Firestick CB antenna

Diamond HAM radio antenna

Reverse lights

Stickers:

Carbon Neutral sticker: custom. based on TerraPass badge designs

American/Confederate flags: custom - combined two sticker sets (I was born in the north and raised in the south)

Treadlightly: treadlightly

ClubXterra.org: board given

Offroad edition: Graveyard graphics

Zombie response: Graveyard graphics

ARES HAM radio

RACES HAM radio

Full set of 2012 Welling Court Street Shots here:

www.flickr.com/photos/jimkiernan/sets/72157630217876858/

Over 60 Artists from around the world came and hit the spot!

dollar black fill white rustoleum outling finaly meet

Saturday, out on a beer run, brought the camera and ran out to one of my spots, flicked one train. I waited for another further down the line, but it was taking forever, and it was hot so I drove back home.

BUT!! It actually turned out kinda' cool, because I caught a bunch of railroad equipment on its way to repair some tracks down the line. To be dropped off somewhere in the middle of the desert, where guys in orange or green vests' in hard hats with clipboards will point at other guys to "Get to work!" and yell incoherent instructions. Was happy to see this equipment roll by on a Saturday to reminds me that I had one more day off before going back to work.

As always, thanks to the Writers, my fellow Benchers and Railroad Workers across the globe. You're all doing good work!

Stay safe out there guys!!

For freight graffiti slideshows/videos hit up my YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Instagram here: @soilentseven

SoCalFreights.com

irregularphotos.com

Our Advanced Epoxy Flooring System Leaves Your Floor Solid & Beautiful.

Saturday, out on a beer run, brought the camera and ran out to one of my spots, flicked one train. I waited for another further down the line, but it was taking forever, and it was hot so I drove back home.

BUT!! It actually turned out kinda' cool, because I caught a bunch of railroad equipment on its way to repair some tracks down the line. To be dropped off somewhere in the middle of the desert, where guys in orange or green vests' in hard hats with clipboards will point at other guys to "Get to work!" and yell incoherent instructions. Was happy to see this equipment roll by on a Saturday to reminds me that I had one more day off before going back to work.

As always, thanks to the Writers, my fellow Benchers and Railroad Workers across the globe. You're all doing good work!

Stay safe out there guys!!

For freight graffiti slideshows/videos hit up my YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Instagram here: @soilentseven

SoCalFreights.com

irregularphotos.com

Full set of 2012 Welling Court Street Shots here:

www.flickr.com/photos/jimkiernan/sets/72157630217876858/

Over 60 Artists from around the world came and hit the spot!

RACKIN EM UP & READY TO BANG

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

[Sorry I haven't posted in a while, spent a lot of time working on the book]

I had a weird, disappointing, and ultimately good time out trackside today.

Got to my spot about 10:00 AM or so, then 20 minutes or so to hike out to my spot. Immediately the freights started coming. One after the next for a little while.

After a few freights, I texted my friend @railfanscajonpass that I was out there. This is a friend who benches 5-6 days a week, so I figured he was probably out somewhere close. He was, he pulled up like 20 minutes later and we hung out for an hour or two, and then he was off to hit up another spot.

After a while it seemed like the freights slowed down and I had some time before the next one. I hiked over I would guess 1/4 mile to a bridge spot that always has new graff. That spot also has one throw up that I always shoot because everyone who comes through there signs it. White outline and the black fill has probably 100 smaller (in size) names written in the fill. Every time I come up here there's new names. I've been flicking this for a couple years now. This time however, someone buffed and went over the entire piece and a piece next to it. What the hell ?!

Look, I'm not even a writer, but damn. Even I know that this wasn't right...

========

Later, I was at a different spot, and two dudes were acting super sketchy really close to where I was, which weirded me out enough that I hiked further down the tracks and this lead to something, I found another good view to catch the freights from. A little something different you might notice in today's photos. Turns out one guy was painting under the trestle, and the other guy kept coming up by me as a lookout. Whatever... I get out there to be away from people. So, I did. And found a new spot!

Caught a lot of great pieces today, got to hang out with my friend, and didn't get bit by any rattlesnakes! In the end, it was a good day.

========

Pick up a copy of my book if you can. Every little bit helps me out.

SoCal Freight Benching: Graffiti on Freight Trains - Vol.1

www.amazon.com/SoCal-Freight-Benching-Graffiti-Trains/dp/...

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

Out today benching freights at one of my spots. Wanted to go Saturday, rained all day. No rain on Sunday and it looked like the sun was going to come out. NOPE. It got down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. All I had was a thin Dickies jacket. My hands were cold, my feet were freezing, it was pretty bad. Yeah, I know 44F. isn't all that cold. Well here in California 44 is pretty damn low.

Was there for about an hour or so before security rolled up on the other side of 3 sets of tracks with roof lights flashing. Turned his truck to face me. I sat down and ignored him. I looked over again and he was gone. 30 mins. later here he comes rolling up on me on the same side of the tracks I was on. I was sure he was going to hassle me. He just wanted to know what I was doing out there. Told me to stay safe, and left...

Finished up my day frozen and shivering could barely feel my toes. Walked back to the car. Just as I got to the car I could hear another train coming. Seems like this always happens. Looked over as about 10-15 cars passed by. Oh well. Got in the car and headed down the road, and realized, I can beat this train to another spot where I could catch some flicks. So I did..

Stay safe out there friends !!!

For freight graff slideshows: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven

With this particular historical Tiger I diorama I did not concern myself with having to buy actual "military" paint colors.

Most if not all the necessary colors for historical modeling and wargaming can be found in Vallejo's, Citadel's, and Foundry's standard paint ranges.

Rather than worry about getting a specific "Panzer Gray" for the crew's and soldiers' uniforms, I simply chose a plain looking medium gray in the form of Rustoleum's flat gray primer. It makes for a perfect WWII German gray shade.

For the flesh of the faces I returned to Citadel Contrasts. The faces are base coated with Citadel Wraithbone layer paint with a coat of Contrast Guilliman Flesh over it.

I really like how the Guilliman Flesh gives a ruddy, sort of weather beaten, wind-blown color to the faces. It's the perfect look for a WWII diorama set in a cold, winter setting.

We inherited this furniture from the previous owners of our current house and I have been planning to spray paint it for -- not joking -- 2 years! With Amy's help, I finally got it done today, since we're taking it to our new house next week.

Finished outdoor furniture on Amy's back patio. I'm thrilled with the results!

Final verdict? Although, it took more spray paint than anticipated, it also took far less time! We used 5 cans of paint ($30), and painted between 11AM and 2PM but it was probably less than an hour of actual time/attention. I would definitely do this again, but hopefully I won't be inheriting any more patio furniture!!

The orange wet-sanding slurry has slowly started creeping underneath the garage door. I guess I've been doing a LOT of wetsanding and all that water has carried the orange powder down the driveway.