LEGO bricks might seem like child’s play to some but they’ve helped make a whole new man out of Reed Cowan.

Reed, a five-year UPS employee, who clerks at the UPS center in Orem, Utah, rediscovered LEGO bricks during recovery from two serious surgeries. He started snapping together the little Danish colored-plastic building blocks that have excited the imaginations of children, adults and, more recently, visual artists for nearly 80 years.

Before long, he and a community of LEGO enthusiasts were busy creating an entire LEGO train layout – a working train and the landscape it runs through. He formed The Great Basin LEGO Train Club (Reed proudly serves as president) and is also a member of the Utah LEGO users group. Both dedicated sections of the track layout to different periods of history … and even the club’s vision of the future.

Look closely at the clever, creative landscape and you’ll see a UPS package car, complete with the UPS logo. It’s made completely of brown LEGO bricks. Consider it Reed’s way of saying thanks to a company that was there for him when he most needed help.

Reed always had LEGO blocks around, but he really poured himself into the hobby as he healed. He built small buildings, then larger ones. He contacted old friends, stirred their passions for LEGO building. Soon, the train project snapped into place and became a reality. The vision for his LEGO land grew in size and complexity.

“Our whole group has different interests,” Reed says. “Our members showcase their specific talents while sharing their vision for each theme on the layout. We’re lucky to have members who work with electronics and other resources. We’re even able to include lights and movement in the layout.”

And there’s no end of new ideas.

“I have thought about building a UPS sorting center with moving belts,” he says, “but at this time, all I have built is some package cars, trailers, train cars, an airport hanger with the “UPS Logistics” logo on the roof … and what I believe to be the only helicopter in the UPS fleet.”

 “UPS has been a great employer for me and my family,” Reed says. “I was gone for some time during my recovery, yet my position was still waiting for me when I got back. This has always meant so much to me.

“I’ve always wanted to give something back to show my gratitude, and my LEGO collection seemed like a great idea. It has really gained much more attention than I ever dreamed.”