3 minute read
TCI – Making it last on the lines
Making it last on the lines
Taking freight train writing seriously with the TCI crew
Location U.S.A. Photography TCI CREW
Many graffiti movements across the world spawned and multiplied thanks to heavily populated cities with commuter train systems that kept the people moving. For a long time, the freight train system was in the periphery as for those in these cities, their goals and expectations on the metro systems were often not completely achieved before their careers as writers came to an end.
In a country like the U.S.A, the freight train system has even more weight than one would think. It is one of the only ways that all the microcosms of train writing graffiti connect on this massive continent. For many writers in cities without their own city train coverage, the freights were where East met West with everything in between. The TCI crew originating from Madison WI, are amongst these entities that take the freight train game to the highest level. We were lucky enough to get some words from the horse’s mouth directly to help understand what TCI crew is all about.
↑ At mincto conet ut ommolecte imilignimus. Edit, ulparit as ullesed
As the freight train graffiti movement got rolling in the early 90’s, styles from both coasts began to arrive in small towns throughout the states. Towns like Madison Wisconsin, where TCI’s Hybrid, Heat, Sever, and Intel were exposed to styles from the likes of Sinister Sein5 out of the Bronx, and Charlie Porno from LA. The connection freight trains provided was essential in the development of styles, friendships, and networks across the country. The TCI approach to trains is to execute a production with professional efficiency and to have
fun while doing it. Every step of the process is well planned as members work together to burn. Train Champs Inc. embraced the concept of the »End to End« early in the crew’s development. When two writers are painting a train, they share by painting either side and putting TCI over the doors. Combining competitive lettering with elaborate backgrounds and themes are a trademark of the crew as they dominate the lines with a reputation for quality freight train graffiti. Freight trains are a great surface to paint, but they are constantly exposed to a changing environment as they travel through the USA. Having a quality spray paint that covers well and doesn’t fade is essential to making sure our work lasts on the lines. With quality like this, the future of freight train graffiti looks very bright. With a conceptual approach and a »quality and quantity« result, if you’re in the USA or Canada, there is bound to be a lot more TCI product rolling through your neighborhood in the near future.
