Ridin' The Rails
At Roundhouse Park
Creative Direction, Graphic Design, 3D Modeling
Immersive Experience Studio, Fall 2024
Professor: Pete Carsillo, Senior Creative Director at Universal Creative
Roundhouse Park is a dynamic, immersive destination celebrating the rich history and innovation of rail travel. Visitors step into the past aboard a meticulously restored roundhouse, explore hands-on exhibits, and witness how railroads have shaped the world. At its heart is Ridin' the Rails, an interactive experience that takes guests on a journey through time, featuring three cutting-edge simulators that bring steam, diesel, and high-speed rail travel to life. Whether reliving the golden age of steam, mastering the power of diesel, or racing into the future with high-speed technology, Ridin’ the Rails offers an unforgettable adventure for train enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
Concept Overview
Developing Ridin’ the Rails has been a personal project fueled by my lifelong passion for trains and a desire to share the history of rail travel in an immersive way. I envisioned a multi-simulator attraction that lets guests experience the evolution of steam, diesel, and high-speed rail. As the concept grew, I realized a static exhibit wouldn’t do the story justice, leading to the integration of Roundhouse Park—a living, interactive space where visitors can explore restored locomotives and themed storytelling. By blending simulation with real-world history, Ridin’ the Rails became more than an attraction—it became a destination.
After entering the experience, you start at “Ironhorse Station”, stepping back in time to a bustling hub of steam-powered adventure, where the air is thick with the hiss of boilers and the call of distant whistles. Board the steam coach and experience the birth of the Transcontinental Railroad on the mighty steam engines of the 1800s.
Inside the steam-era passenger car, guests step back to the golden age of rail travel, surrounded by polished wood paneling, brass fixtures, and the rhythmic hiss of the locomotive outside their windows. The simulator brings to life the sights and sounds of a 19th-century steam journey—rolling countryside views, the steady chuff of the engine, and the occasional whistle echoing through the landscape... you might even encounter a few bandits along the way!
Inside the diesel-electric passenger car, guests are transported to the mid-20th century, when sleek locomotives carried travelers across vast distances with speed and comfort. Surrounded by streamlined interiors and the hum of powerful engines, passengers look out to see alpine landscapes unfolding outside their windows—including a striking view of the Matterhorn—as the train winds its way through Europe’s postwar golden age of rail.
Entering a high-speed rail passenger car, guests feel the thrill of cutting-edge travel as they glide smoothly across the landscape at incredible speeds. Surrounded by sleek, modern interiors and the quiet hum of advanced engineering, they watch the countryside race past their windows, catching glimpses of cities, coastlines, and even the majestic Mt. Fuji flying by in the distance.
The Design
The design Ridin’ the Rails blends historic charm with bold, modern clarity to capture the spirit of train travel through time. The rack card uses period-inspired typography, strong block layouts, and a deep color palette to evoke a vintage railway poster, while still maintaining readability for a contemporary audience. Illustrations inside the passenger cars highlight the guest perspective, balancing stylized detail with clean composition to keep the focus on storytelling. The logo unites steam, diesel, and high-speed engines in a single emblem, framed in warm wood tones and accented with metallic-inspired linework, creating a timeless mark that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. Together, these elements establish a cohesive identity that celebrates the romance and progression of rail travel.
