Western Railroad Discussion > Train Tattoo and Trip to el Salvador or Just More Hype ?

Not my field of study but a number of News articles are showing train Tattoos are on the DHS list of possible Gang affiliated Tattoos. Not going to post a photo but here's a link to the often austere but less than conservative BBC article with a reported DHS info shown:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly22xm8kx1o

A quick search shows aimilar tattoos on other media articles. Is it just that rendering of a steam engine or something more sinister?

Somewhat surprised how many commonly seen tattoos are on the list.

web definition:tattoonoun

1. A beat of drum, or sound of a trumpet or bugle, at night, giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.
2. See under Devil.
3. An indelible mark or figure made by puncturing the skin and introducing some pigment into the punctures; -- a mode of ornamentation practiced by various barbarous races, both in ancient and modern times, and also by some among civilized nations, especially by sailors.

Yikes! The Black Butte Center for Railroad Culture has pages of photos of railroad tattoos!

"Sure many railfans claim to be committed to their hobby, but how many have a steam locomotive tattooed on their forehead?

https://bbcrc.org/tattoo1.html

 

Had to dig to find an isolated example of the Tattoo that was on the DHS List, they have this image on somebodies forearm. Don't know the theory behind it, there's many explanations in the media.

Should have used the title ' show us your train tattoo and win an all expenses paid vacation in el Salvador '.

Maybe next time.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/25 15:45 by TCnR.

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Does a " PSR " tramp stamp earn an all inclusive stay in El Salvador ?

Contacts have informed me of other ink being encountered.

Tattoos of:

Various edged weapons that indicate the number of employee jobs a person has "cut"
A straight razor may indicate 10% of a workforce, a meat cleaver 20%, machete for 30%, etc.
Very prized and respected.

There is also talk of a tattoo that consists of the rear end of a horse with the image of an old anglo
with tubes in his nose superimposed.  Perhaps a reference to some pagan god.

Also becoming popular are neck tattoos with the letters EHH in Gothic.

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/25 08:21 by Englewood.