Texas State Railroad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Texas State Railroad

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 1⁄2 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.

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		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		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		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		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		Diesel	(B-B)	American Locomotive Company (ALCO)	1947	Operational	Yes
8		Diesel	(C-C)	American Locomotive Company (ALCO)	1953	Operational	Yes
22		Diesel	(B-B)	General Electric (GE)	1956	Stored	No
125		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		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