Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash) was one of the most influential singer songwriters of the 20th Century. While remembered as a country, gospel, rockabilly and rock artist, many of Cash’s songs included railroad songs and had railroad related themes. Some of the songs include “Hey Porter”, “Rock Island Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Orange Blossom Special”, “Casey Jones”, “City of New Orleans”, “Blue Train”, “Wreck of Old 97”, “I’ve Got a Things about Trains” and “Train of Love” to name a few.
Even many of Cash’s songs had a freight train sound to them. Cash is one of the primary singers and songwriters who songs speak to the theme of the railway in the North American landscape.