Autistic Boy’s Love for Trains Inspires Grandfather to Launch Train Hunters Club

A Houston grandfather turns his autistic grandson’s love for trains into the Train Hunters Club, a growing community helping children build confidence, connection, and belonging-with opportunities for individuals and businesses to sponsor memberships. End Quote

Houston, TX (1888PressRelease) April 03, 2026 - Every afternoon after school, 6-year-old Ezra walks through the door and asks the same question to his grandfather, Brian Gaugler: “Pops… can we go Train Hunting today?” What started as a simple routine between a grandfather and his autistic grandson has quickly grown into something much bigger - a movement bringing confidence, joy, and belonging to children who share a love for trains.

Brian Gaugler, (aka "Pops") founder of Train Hunters Club, began noticing something special about Ezra. While others barely noticed distant train sounds, Ezra could hear them miles away, recognize patterns, and light up with excitement the moment a locomotive approached.

“Ezra doesn’t just watch trains - he experiences them,” Gaugler said. “I realized this wasn’t just a hobby. It was a strength. And I thought… what if other kids could experience this same confidence and excitement?” That idea became the Train Hunters Club; a growing community designed especially for children, including those on the autism spectrum, to explore trains in a safe, structured, and social way.
Members of the club receive:
• Train Hunters adventure badges
• A Train Tracker journal to log their discoveries
• A fun publication mailed throughout the year
• Invitations to meetups and train hunting events
• Opportunities to build confidence, friendships, and real-world skills

At a recent Train Hunters Club gathering, over 30 people came together - a powerful sign that the need for connection and belonging in this space is real and growing. The mission is simple: turn a child’s passion into confidence and community. Now, the Train Hunters Club is inviting both individuals and businesses to be part of that mission by sponsoring children who may not otherwise be able to participate.

“For many kids, this is more than trains,” Gaugler said. “It’s confidence. It’s joy. It’s feeling like they belong. The goal is for this to be free for all children that want to join-that is where we need help."

Community members can sponsor a child’s annual membership, helping provide materials, events, and experiences that make a lasting impact. To learn more, follow the journey, or sponsor a child, visit: www.TrainHuntersClub.com. You can also watch their train hunting adventures on YouTube by searching: Train Hunters Club or ( @ ) EzraAndPops dot Together, the community can help children discover confidence, connection, and adventure - one train at a time dot

Media Contact:
Brian Gaugler
Founder, Train Hunters Club
www.TrainHuntersClub.com
TrainHuntersClub ( @ ) gmail dot com
832-278-9450

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