Every student at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science knows what it is like to hear the train whistle in the early hours of the morning. Most students find this sound rather annoying, but Hamhari Brown, a junior at MSMS, never gets tired of it.

Brown has been interested in locomotives since 2007, but at the time, had “no idea that there were so many interesting things out on the rails.” Brown soon also became interested in planes in 2011 and has been photographing both since.

“I got into aviation photography after going to several air shows and seeing the guys there with their huge lenses and expensive cameras,” he said. “From those days on, I’ve had five different cameras, some of which I still use to photograph planes.”

Brown discovered railroad photography on the internet and once he saw how his freight train pictures turned out, he decided to pursue it more.

“There are several rare and interesting things still on the rails, many of them over 35 years old,” Brown said. “With the age of most of the equipment, in both aviation and railroading, there is heritage that comes with it. Through photography, you are able to capture that heritage and tell the stories of days that will never come back, part of the reason I am able to look at a certain plane or train and get the exact model and tell everything else about it.”

Brown’s main passion is aviation, but he has taken interest in many subjects: railroading, computer and mechanical engineering, farming, and programming to name a few. He says he makes sure to experiment with each of his interests. He has built computers, planted a garden, and even driven a train.

“It’s rare that I run out of things to do with everything I love, but it’s always fun trying to keep up with it all, as it never stays the same,” Brown said.

Brown’s dream job is to be an airline pilot, so he has been looking into colleges with flight programs. He is considering Delta State University as he knows a few pilots who have graduated from there.

Brown said his advice to anyone pursuing their dreams would be, “Do what’s best for you.”

He elaborated by saying, “Sometimes people get tangled up in situations because it’s what someone has told them they will enjoy, or that it will be one of the best experiences of his or her lives. I’m not saying that you should never branch out and try new things, because it may just grow on you, but if it doesn’t, or if you don’t think it will from the beginning, talk with someone first and if you still don’t see it, don’t pursue it. You’ll most likely be better off with what you love.”

Brown also added, “it’s always good to hear the train coming through campus.”