At GATX Rail Europe, every railcar tells a story of quality, innovation, and service. Today, we add a new chapter to that story: the unveiling of our 30,000th railcar—a proud milestone now immortalized by Viennese artist Manuel Skirl. The specially commissioned art for the GATX tank railcar will make its public debut at the transport logistic fair this June before taking its place on tracks across Europe as a moving piece of art.

“When we set out to mark our 30,000th railcar, we knew it had to be more than a number. It had to embody the spirit of GATX: connection, sustainability, and forward momentum,” states Marija Tadic, Marketing Manager Europe at GATX Rail Europe. That’s where Manuel Skirl enters the story. Known for his mesmerizing organic forms, Skirl captures the beauty of natural flow and movement. Marija adds, “This railcar is an artistic reflection of our commitment to sustainable transportation through our best-in-class railcar fleet and services.”

Manuel Skirl Art Collaboration with GATX: Sustainability in Motion
Skirl, whose work blurs the lines between graffiti, fine art, and the patterns of nature, was the perfect person for the job. Railcars have long been canvases for impromptu urban art, but this collaboration transforms a GATX railcar into a purposeful statement: a celebration of artistry, resilience, and responsible mobility.

The result is breathtaking. Flowing blue lines move across the lime green body of the tank railcar, evoking river currents, air streams, and the unseen paths that connect Europe. Every line speaks to the journey of goods and ideas across borders, the flow of progress that GATX supports.

“Painting the 30,000th railcar felt like setting a marker in time, connecting my roots in urban spaces with a broader movement towards sustainability,” said Skirl, adding, “I want the patterns to feel alive and in motion, much like the railcar itself.”

See the 30,000th GATX Railcar at the transport logistic fair 2025
After its transport logistic fair debut in Munich later this June, the milestone railcar will not retire to a gallery. Instead, it will travel the rails of Europe, a dynamic work of art in motion. It stands as a tribute to everyone who moves the world forward—engineers, operators, customers, and artists alike.

From Vienna to the tracks of Europe, from the hand of an artist to the strength of a 30,000-strong fleet: GATX Rail Europe continues to combine innovation, sustainability, and, in this case, art—one milestone at a time. Visit us at the transport logistic in Munich to see this unique railcar firsthand and celebrate our 30,000-strong fleet and commitment to making sustainable transportation possible by making railcar leasing easier.

Artwork by Manuel Skirl. This project was realized in collaboration with Propelled GmbH and muralia Gmbh.