Entry No. 67 — the Dallas file — filed under: robot-statues
The Traveling Man
“sprung to life when a bluesman spilled gin on an elm tree's roots”
Three polished stainless-steel robot sculptures scattered across Deep Ellum that tell a mythic origin story: a buried steam locomotive sprung to life when a bluesman spilled gin on an elm tree's roots, now wandering with metal birds.
The story
When Dallas Area Rapid Transit tore down the old Good Latimer tunnel in 2007 to lay tracks for the Green Line, they wiped out a legendary corridor of local graffiti murals. To quiet the neighborhood outrage, DART commissioned local sculptor Brad Oldham and animator Brandon Oldenburg of Reel FX to build a permanent replacement. The result, unveiled in 2009 for $1.4 million, is a three-part stainless steel installation stitched together with roughly 10,000 rivets.
The art comes with an oddly specific origin myth: before 1900, a steam locomotive was supposedly buried near Main Street and Good Latimer Expressway. An elm tree grew over the site, and when a passing bluesman spilled gin onto the tree's roots, the alcohol seeped down and birthed a giant metallic wanderer. The three statues trace his evolution: Awakening shows his head emerging from a gravel pit alongside concrete salvaged from the demolished tunnel, Waiting on a Train captures him sitting with a guitar, and Walking Tall stands 38 feet high, striding past the train platform with stainless steel birds resting on his shoulders.
What it's like
Walking the three-block stretch along Good Latimer Expressway takes about 20 minutes on flat sidewalks, but you will want time to inspect the rivet patterns up close. The 38-foot tall statue towers directly over the Deep Ellum DART station platform, making light rail the easiest access point since street parking in this neighborhood is tight. Aim for early morning or late afternoon when the polished metal reflects the low sun without blinding you. Once you finish the sequence, duck a block over onto Elm or Main Street to grab tacos and check out the new murals filling the gaps left by the old tunnel.
The move: Make a scavenger hunt of tracking down all three robots (Awakening, Waiting on a Train, and Walking Tall) on foot, ducking into Deep Ellum murals and taco spots between stops.
📍 Before you go All three robots stand along Good Latimer Expressway on Deep Ellum's western edge, a few blocks apart on flat sidewalks, so walk the sequence in either direction. Street parking nearby is scarce; ride-share or the DART Green Line is easier, and Deep Ellum Station drops you right at the installation — fitting, since DART commissioned the pieces. The polished steel catches its best light in early morning or late afternoon, and the murals and taco spots along Elm and Main are a block over for the in-between stretches.
- 📍 Deep Ellum
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Good Latimer Expy & Elm St area, Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX 75226
Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Giant Eye Sculpture (Joule Hotel) — Follow up Deep Ellum's giant metal robot with Tony Tasset's 30-foot fiberglass eyeball staring out from a private hotel courtyard less than a mile west in Downtown.
- Mozzarella Company — Walk four blocks east into Deep Ellum to watch artisan cheesemakers hand-stretch mozzarella at a factory operating since 1982.
- Adrian E. Flatt Hand Collection — Head half a mile north to a hospital lobby housing over 120 bronze casts of famous hands, trading giant steel rivets for anatomical detail.
Good to know
Where are the three statues located?
All three stand along Good Latimer Expressway on Deep Ellum's western edge, running between Swiss Avenue and Elm Street.
How much does it cost and what are the hours?
The sculptures sit on public sidewalks, so they are free to view 24/7.
What is the best way to get there?
Take the DART Green Line to Deep Ellum Station—the 38-foot Walking Tall sculpture is located right at the station entrance.
How long does it take to see all three robots?
Walking between all three statues covers a few flat blocks and takes about 15 to 30 minutes total.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · Wikipedia · dallasobserver.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-09