Train Ride in Texas

Damn Yankee · Aug 11, 2013

Watched a program about Trains on PBS and they featured the ride from Palestine Texas in the Piney Mts.

Has anyone taken this 4 hour trip and was it enjoyable?

Looked like a fun afternoon. Been to their website and it gave plenty of info.

The Last Standing Knight · Aug 11, 2013

Texas State Railroad.

I rode it with my family many years ago. It was a step back in time...very slow going into Palestine...pretty quick the way back and not very comfortable.

Since contracted out, it isn't inexpensive these days I've heard.

Myself and my family got a kick out of it. My other relatives, all of whom were raised around the steam engine era and rode on trains during that time, were not so impressed. I'm a bit of a railfan, so my take is prejudiced in that regard.

BTW its the Piney Woods, not mountains.

kwselke · Aug 11, 2013

I've never taken the ride, but am familiar with the area. Springtime would probably be the best time to visit. https://www.texasstaterr.com/

Peter M. Eick · Aug 11, 2013

It is a blast. We do it multiple times a year. There is something about a nice casual ride in the woods of NE texas. If you go now, go AC. If you go in the fall or spring non-ac or even open car is fun.

If you have kids do the events. We do Polar Express (first class) every year. We have don Thomas, the Lone Ranger and Snoopy.

I know it was bad when I saw my picture in the Palestine depot in their collage.

We commonly used to camp at Rusk and then go to which ever depot runs the steam trains. The last few trips though were for events so we did not camp. Don't camp at Palestine (not sure they let you any more). There is nothing to do there.

If you are really really hard core, they will let you ride in the cab. I have not done it (yet) but will this fall or in the spring. Expensive, like $800 but worth it. I did the DRGW trip to Silverton in the cab and learned more about steam engines then I had in the previous 40 years of studying them.

Any way, it is a fun way to spend a day with the family. It teaches you how to relax and not rush to anything.

Train Ride in Texas

Damn Yankee

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The Last Standing Knight

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kwselke

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Peter M. Eick

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