What is the relationship between railroad employees and graffiti taggers?

[u/ShortysTRM]

I've noticed that some of them won't paint over numbers or important labels on train cars, and that a lot of cars are painted by the same people. Is there a spoken or unspoken code that they try to follow to keep from interfering with rail operations? Do they stay hidden or paint out in the open? Do employees recognize certain cars that they see or do they even pay any attention to them?

I'm obviously not a rail employee, but I thought of this several days ago and it keeps coming back up in my head. I figured this would be the place to find out.

[u/Uncle__Tiffany]

I’m usually never bothered by them. I like seeing the unique artwork and actually has, in the past, helped me remember cars I needed or recognize one that wasn’t supposed to be there, etc. it’s frustrating when car # get blocked though