Reagan Ray

When I moved to Austin for college in 1998, I got my first new computer. I was a studio art major and with newly found access to the university's cable internet, I began a 20 year hobby of creating endless folders of art and design inspiration. The very first folder I ever created was called "Train Stuff." I still have it, transferred and updated over multiple computers.

I've found trains awe-inspiring as long as I can remember. Growing up, my grandparents lived across the street from the train tracks. My brother and I would hear the far-away whistle and run out into the front yard to see the huge Southern Pacific train in all of it's black and red glory speed by. As a 10-year-old, it was a sight to behold. Something about seeing that bold logo on something so big, so powerful, and so loud has always stuck out. So I suppose it wasn't surprising that trains were the first thing on my mind when I started searching the internet for inspiration. Being able to find blogs and photo galleries of all the big trains around America unlocked a whole new world for me. Below are some of my favorites.