A lifelong interest in trains has placed Colleyville Heritage High School senior Oliver Tylick on the national stage, with his artwork featured on BNSF Railway’s America 250 commemorative locomotives traveling across the country.
“It was amazing,” Tylick said, describing the first moment he saw his design on the 1776 locomotive as it rolled onto the tracks one early morning in May 2026. “It’s very rewarding.”
His design appears on three locomotives numbered 1776, 2026 and 250.
Tylick’s connection to railroads spans four generations. His great-grandfather worked for the Erie Railroad, his grandfather became a master model railroader, and father Jim Tylick is now assistant vice president of passenger operations for BNSF Railway.
The younger Tylick preemptively began working on ideas in October 2025 when his father first mentioned that the company was considering a commemorative design. After the company officially moved forward with the project in December, Oliver’s concept was selected from among several designs presented for consideration.
His patriotic-themed design features flowing red, white and blue banners that create a sense of movement even when the train is stationary. It also incorporates stars honoring the 13 original colonies and the phrases “Freedom” and “Liberty,” reflecting the nation’s founding principles.
“I had in my mind the phrase ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ So I wanted this to be for the people,” Oliver added, describing the words at the center of his design and the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
Landing his idea on the national stage could be the beginning of Oliver’s future trek. A cross country runner, choir member, Civil Air Patrol volunteer and model train enthusiast, Oliver hopes to follow his father’s path in the transportation industry, carrying the family legacy into a new generation.
Learn more about the story behind BNSF’s America 250 commemorative locomotives.