Texas State Railroad

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Official logo of the Texas State Railroad.
Texas State Railroad #300 and its train in the East Texas forest, circa May, 2005
Texas State Railroad's ALCO RS2

The Texas State Railroad is a historic 25-mile railroad between Rusk and Palestine, Texas. The start of the railroad dates back to 1881. Its original purpose was to bring in raw materials for a prison iron foundry and to take the finished product out. The railroad grew and eventually expanded to freight and passenger service, but it was not profitable.[1] Regular train service by the state ceased in 1921, and the line was leased to various railroad companies until 1969.

In 1972, the Texas Legislature turned the railroad over to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to be used as a state park. However, by 2006, the train cost the state of Texas $1 million per year more to maintain and to operate than the revenue from the park generated. Because of budget concerns, the Eightieth Texas Legislature (2007) passed Senate Bill 1659 which allowed for the creation of an operating authority for the train with the power to lease the train to a private operator. On September 1, 2007, the train was transferred to the Texas State Railroad Authority and leased for operation by American Heritage Railway, which also operates the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina. A leading supporter of keeping the railroad operational is Texas State Representative Byron Cook of Corsicana.[2]

The railway is a park that allows visitors to ride trains pulled by diesel and steam locomotives between the park's Victorian-style depots and through the forests of East Texas.

Motive Power

The Texas State Railroad Operates a handful of Steam and Diesel Locomotives, from ranging from 1901 to 1953.

[3]

Other Notable Locomotives

See also


References

  1. ↑ The Texas State Railroad. Accessed 2009.10.20.
  2. ↑ "Byron Cook State Representative". byroncook.com. Retrieved September 20, 2010. 
  3. ↑ "Texas State Railroad Engine Info". Texas State Railroad. Retrieved December 15, 2013. 

External links

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