Maisto & Lionel – Graffiti on model trains

While I was putting up some of the old Enamelized trains in my online shop, I did a little bit of research on model trains with graffiti produced by companies. I made a few discoveries:

Released in the summer 2006, by Maisto Custom Shop. There are six toy freight train cars in the, Enamelized – Graffiti Diecast Train Collection, series one. The six names are; SMITH, CYCLE, JASE, CENSE, AREK, and CON. Each name printed on both sides of their own car. Includes train track to display your train on.

The release of this set caused an uproar regarding the glorification of graffiti. The product is now discontinued. The following quote is the original release statement from the manufacturer: “Maisto’s relentless release of new introductions for 2006 continues with the announcement of the launch of Enamelized – Graffiti Diecast Train Collection. The train collection is unique in that it features graffiti art from actual artists. Along with the approximately 1:131 scale replica will be a trading card – one side depicting the train art, and on the other some information, if available, about the artist. Up to 12 different graffiti artists will be utilized in the line.”

I’ll have to ask Roger, but I’m pretty sure this was a cross promotional project that was going on with the release of his book, Freight Train Graffiti. It’s interesting to see the different cars and railroad companies that Maisto had planned on using. Or maybe this was just a promo, but the final cars that came out were completely different. They were all B&O boxcars with the exception of a hopper.

I know they ran into a copyright issue using the B&O logo on their first run of trains and had to take it off in the subsequent production runs. Originally, these were sold in Walmart until complaints mounted and then they later sold in Urban Outfitters. Currently they have been popping up in bulk discount stores and have been hard to find.

It turns out there was also a 7th train that was actually released from Maisto, by TRIBE from Los Angeles. I’m not sure if she was part of the next set of 6 writers or if this was something separate, before the project was discontinued. The yellow circle over the TRIBE is where the B&O logo used to be, so maybe this was produced early on. I wonder if any others in the second set that made it into production?

I also stumbled upon an official release of a graffiti train from Lionel. However horrid their attempt was, it’s interesting to see it was dated 99′.

I haven’t been able to find much info on this, but it seems like there was another Golden West hopper they did with “graffiti” as well.

Finally, I found a small bit of info on Wikipedia about MTH Electric Trains. It seems like they lost a licensing deal with New York’s MTA, to Lionel, because they created some model subways with graff on them.

MTH also produced many sets of New York City Subway cars as well as two sets of Chicago ‘L’ cars. The NYC Subway sets were licensed by the MTA. Lionel currently holds this license in O scale while Walthers holds the license in HO scale after acquiring Life-Like. The license transfer is in part due to MTH producing sets covered in graffiti.

Happy Holidays

Hope everyone has a good Christmas and New Years. I’m headed out to Los Angeles with friends for the week and will try and post some updates from the road.

I should also have a few major show announcements when I get back to DC.

In the meantime, gaze upon this kick-ass Evil Knievel timepiece I gave myself for Christmas. It was made the year after I was born and still works perfectly.

Pennant Blue

Man, I really wanted this can of Pennant Blue. I even bid on it before it entered the stratosphere. I’ve got a pretty solid old paint collection and I’m only missing 2-3 rare Krylon colors including this.

Congrats to Pjay, but still, $855.67 for a can of spray paint?!? I couldn’t do it.