Locomotive

Growing up in Carbon County was the inspiration behind the subject matter I try to capture in my artwork. Coal mining was the heart of our industry and the railroads were the arteries to transport the coal to many destinations. My grandfather was an immigrant coal miner who worked at the Winter Quarters Mine and was later killed in a railroad accident. Per capita, no other place I know of was more active in coal mining and railroading than Carbon County. These industries have been the inspiration behind most of my artistic creations. I have always had a deep fascination in the steam engine locomotives of the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Prior to starting Original Creations in 1980, I created quite a number of metal murals depicting old locomotive scenes. I created wall hangings and some mantle pieces. I have accumulated quite a few books on the history of railroads. I always wanted to create a large version of an old coal burning locomotive, but could never justify or afford the time to do so. Then UDOT came along and made it possible.

• Gary Prazen