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Texas State Railroad
Current Logo for the Texas State Railroad.jpg
Overview
Headquarters Rusk, Texas
Reporting mark TSR
Locale Rusk-Palestine, Texas
Dates of operation 1883-1969 (Revenue)
1976-present (Excursion)
Technical
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Length 25 mi (40 km)
Other
Website texasstaterailroad.net

The Texas State Railroad is a special historic train line in Texas. It's also called the Lone Star and Eastern Railroad. This heritage railroad stretches about 25 mi (40 km) between the towns of Rusk and Palestine, Texas.

The railroad was first built in 1883 by people who were in prison. Its main job was to carry raw materials for a metal factory (called a smelter) at the prison in Rusk. Regular train service for everyday use stopped in 1921.

After that, the state of Texas rented the line to private companies until 1969. Then, in 1972, it became part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In 2007, the railroad was given to the Texas State Railroad Authority. Now, it runs as a fun tourist attraction with beautiful views.

The railroad operates on a special schedule all year round. Today, it has five steam locomotives (two of which can run) and three diesel locomotives. In 2003, the Texas Legislature officially named the Texas State Railroad the "Official Railroad of Texas."

A Journey Through Time: The Railroad's History

The story of the Texas State Railroad began in 1883. This was when the Rusk Penitentiary, a prison in Rusk, Texas, was finished. Prisoners helped build the railroad. Its first job was to move raw materials like iron ore to the iron smelter (a factory that melts metal) at the prison.

By 1906, the train line reached Maydelle. In 1909, it was fully completed when it arrived in Palestine. The railroad grew and started carrying both goods (freight) and passengers. However, it didn't make much money. The state stopped its regular train service in 1921. After that, different railroad companies rented the line until 1969.

TSR Palestine Terminal
The Palestine Terminal for the Texas State Railroad.

In 1972, the Texas Legislature (the state's law-making group) gave the railroad to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The idea was to use it as a state park. But by 2006, keeping the train running cost the state about $1 million more each year than it earned.

Because of these money worries, the Eightieth Texas Legislature (in 2007) passed a new law. This law created the Texas State Railroad Authority. It gave the Authority ownership of the land and the trains. The Authority then rents out the train line to companies that can run it.

On September 1, 2007, American Heritage Railways started operating the TSRR. This company also runs other famous railroads like the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado. In 2012, American Heritage Railways stopped their lease. Then, Iowa Pacific Holdings took over. They even started offering freight services again. Later, The Western Group took over in 2017, and then Jaguar Transport Holdings in 2020.

Important people like State Senator Robert Nichols and State Representative Cody Harris have strongly supported keeping the railroad running.

Today, the railroad lets visitors ride trains pulled by old diesel and steam locomotives. You can travel between the park's beautiful Victorian-style depots. The journey takes you through the lovely forests of East Texas. The railroad has also been used in many movies and TV shows, like episodes of NBC's Revolution.

Train Power: Locomotives of the Texas State Railroad

The Texas State Railroad uses both steam and diesel locomotives. These powerful machines were built between 1901 and 1958.

Trains Running Now

Number Image Type Wheel Arrangement Builder Built Status In Service Notes
316
Texas and Pacific 316.jpg
Steam 4-6-0 A.L. Cooke 1901 Display No This train used to be TSRR No. 201. It's waiting for major repairs.
28
Tsrr3.jpg
Steam 2-8-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1917 Stored No This train used to be TSRR No. 300. It's currently being rebuilt.
30/400
Texas State Railroad 2-8-2 No. 30.jpg
Steam 2-8-2 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1917 Operational Yes This train used to be TSRR No. 400. It was originally No. 30 for another railroad.
1316 Steam 4-6-2 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1911 Display No This train used to be TSRR No. 500. It was cleaned up in 2020 and is waiting for future repairs.
610
Texas and Pacific Locomotive.jpg
Steam 2-10-4 Lima Locomotive Works 1927 Display No This train was part of the American Freedom Train tour in 1976.
1 Diesel (B-B) General Electric (GE) 1947 Operational Yes
7
TSR Number 7.jpg
Diesel (B-B) American Locomotive Company (ALCO) 1947 Operational Yes
8
Texas State Railroad, moving locomotives.jpg
Diesel (C-C) American Locomotive Company (ALCO) 1953 Operational Yes
22 Diesel (B-B) General Electric (GE) 1956 Stored No
125 Texas State Railroad No. 125 - November 2019.jpg Diesel (B-B) General Motors Diesel Division (GMD) 1957 Operational Yes This train first ran at the Texas State Railroad in 2018.
126 Diesel (B-B) GMD 1958 Operational Yes This train first ran at the Texas State Railroad in 2022.

Trains That Used to Be Here

Number Image Type Wheel arrangement Builder Built Current owner Status In service Notes
2248
Grapevine Vintage Railroad - panoramio.jpg
Steam 4-6-0 A.L. Cooke 1896 Grapevine Vintage Railroad Stored No This train used to be TSRR No. 200. It was sold in 1990 and is now being repaired.

Texas & Eastern Railroad: Carrying Goods

In 2012, a group called the Surface Transportation Board approved an agreement. This allowed the Rusk, Palestine & Pacific Railroad (RP&P) to carry freight (goods) on the Rusk-to-Palestine line.

In May 2017, the line was leased to the Texas & Eastern Railroad for freight services. The RP&P group was closed in 2018. So, while the freight trains use the Texas & Eastern name, the fun passenger rides still operate as the Texas State Railroad.

The Texas & Eastern connects with the Union Pacific railroad in Palestine. It mainly carries building materials, industrial products, and chemicals.

See also

  • List of heritage railroads in the United States
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