Get To Know…Train Artist, Andy Fletcher!

Andy Fletcher’s career as an artist started early. He began drawing trains—one of his first loves—from his own photos when he was still in school. All of his drawings are done by hand with a pencil and watercolor pens. Andy’s first engine to draw was BN’s 1991 “DESERT STORM” SD60M.

Then in 1992, Burlington Northern Railroad asked him to design their popular SD70MAC Executive color scheme. Altogether, Andy has drawn over 1,500 trains, from steam to modern diesel and cars, cabooses and other equipment. He has been commissioned to paint trains for railroads, railroad historical societies and museums.

Andy has epilepsy and was unable to draw from 2001-2007. During his hiatus from drawing trains, he did some watercolor paintings, but as soon as he was able, he came back to trains. People often ask, “Why trains?” and the answer is he just loves them.

He feels rewarded by the joy his drawings have brought others. His magnets and prints make great gifts and promotional items. If you are interested in having Andy draw a piece of equipment you can e-mail him for more information.

Here are a couple of excerpts from Andy:

Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The year is 1952. Spring is in the air. The engineer blasts two sounds of whistle and the Atlantic Coast Line Florida Special gives its 7:10pm highball. The train gains momentum. Eager passengers await their vacations and loved ones along the southward trek. Onto Fayetteville and Florence, through the night the Special rolls, onto its 11:25am arrival in Miami.

Coal Runs on Norfolk Southern’s Winston Salem District. One hundred cars of coal roll at Belews Creek, NC. This is Norfolk Southern’s Winston-Salem District. A pair of SD70M-2’s keep the southbound unit train on time as it rolls from Roanoke. Coal from the Appalachians rolls to the Carolinas. Coal to power industry. Coal to light the cities, to power the South. Norfolk Southern rolls coal into North Carolina. This is railroading on the Winston-Salem District.

To learn more about Andy Fletcher and to order prints, magnets, etc…..visit his incredible website at http://customtrains.org.

To order Andy’s book, “The ABC’s of America’s Railroads” …CLICK HERE!