The plan for this past Thursday was to take Amanda up to my mother's house so that she could "rake in a little cash" by helping out with some yard work that my mother really doesn't need to be doing by herself. After all she's going to be 75 in June and even though she's in darned good shape for someone her age, she's got a pretty large yard where leaves and sticks like to congregate and it's way too much for her to be doing on her own. Add on the fact that Amanda has great plans that require money and it seemed like a pretty good combination ... except for the fact that Amanda and Manual Labor are apparently not exactly good friends; matter of fact, I am beginning to suspect that they are not even passing acquaintances! Which is too bad as she could accumulate a pretty good bit of ka-ching if she would just put her back into it a little bit.
Anyhow, all that aside, while Amanda was getting acquainted with the nuances of a lawn rake, I took the chance to drive the short distance to Plainfield (the next town over) and spend some time by the side of the railroad tracks in the hopes that maybe a freight train or two might pass through. While waiting to hear a whistle blow, I walked around and took some pictures of the hopper cars that were parked on the various sidings.



As you can see, one man's method of storage on wheels is another man's canvas and the graffiti definitely adds a different perspective to what were once plain railroad cars. Personally, I think they're kinda cool and believe that last picture is my favorite of the group and would look pretty nice framed and hanging on my wall .. or maybe the first one or possibly even the one in the middle! I just can't seem to make up my mind! What do you think?
I must agree that the last one is the best of the three, if you like boring hopper cars. Would you rather have a nice 8X10 of an engine pulling these cars? Either way, I am jealous. the trains seem to like you. Nice shots as always.
ReplyDeleteI like them all, but my fave is the one in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of hopper cars. Learn somethin' new every day.
An interesting perspective. I particularly like your storage/canvas line. Poignant...
ReplyDeleteAll three pics are cool, as per usual w/you! My personal favorite is actually pic #1 (top). The rust around the wheels, the sides of the hopper car, even on the tracks appear sharper in focus, and seem to tell a tale. Nothing fires up the imagination more than the potential stories history can tell. Good job, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI'm voting for #2. How about a tryptich for your wall? Maybe you could ship Amanda off to some form of Outward Bound to find out what life is like in a world where work is part of survival. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am thinking boxcar willie would have said no..........
ReplyDeleteI vote for #2... but honestly I like them all... again, great photography, Linda :o)
ReplyDeletei know there is graffiti everywhere but honestly in rome it is on every single thing. i never saw anything like it...
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I have to admit I absolutely love graffiti! Your photos are amazing. I'd frame the last one, that's my favourite. :)
ReplyDeleteIf only the taggers would limit themselves to hopper cars, I wouldn't mind it so much. We're inundated with gang graffiti - everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI personally like either #2 or #3 because of the curvature of the tracks. I like the tryptich idea, too.
Jamie made me smile.......
~~~Blessings~~~
the last one is great. The colors with the angle of the cars on the curved track. love it.
ReplyDeletesome tagging is art
some is just vandalism.
we get some gang tagging which is pretty much a death threat...so...you gotta outlaw it all.
I love to see the creative graffiti when I am sitting and waiting on a train to pass. You captured some great shots, Linda!
ReplyDelete