Contact Information
P O Box 39
Rusk, TX 75785
903-683-2561
Texas State Railroad State Historical Park, 499 acres, is located in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, between the Cities of Palestine and Rusk. The railroad was acquired by Legislative Act in 1971 and was restored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with help from the Texas Department of Corrections, and was opened to the public in 1976. The State Prison System began construction of the Texas State Railroad in 1893. Inmates built the line to transport native iron ore and wood products to a prison-operated iron smelting furnaces located in the East Texas State Penitentiary at Rusk. The furnace supplied the State of Texas with iron products, including the columns and dome structure for the Capital building in Austin.
In 1906, prison crews extended the rail line to Maydelle, and in 1909 the Texas State Railroad reached its final destination of Palestine. The prisoners were paid 50 cents a day and worked from sunrise to sundown. The total cost to construct the original 32 miles of the Texas State Railroad was $573,724.
Prison crews made up the train crew, except for the engineer. When passenger service was extended to Palestine, a full-time staff of nine was employed. With the exception of the superintendent and engineer, staff members were paid $1.01 for each day they worked.
Texas State Railroad 1913 Track Crew In 1913, the prison iron furnace was dismantled, and later the East Texas State Penitentiary converted into a state mental hospital. On May 1, 1921, all regular train service by the state was discontinued and the line was leased to the Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific Railroad Co.). The Texas Southeastern Railroad leased the line in the early 1960s and continued operation of the line until December 31, 1969.
The railroad was conveyed to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in February of 1972 for the creation of a state historical park. Reminiscent of its earliest days, state inmates were again brought in to work on the railroad. State offenders rebuilt the line; clearing brush, building bridges and replacing ties and rails. The Texas State Railroad State Historical Park was opened to the public on July 4, 1976, as part of the nation's Bicentennial Celebration. Today the Texas State Railroad is dedicated to the Education, Interpretation and Preservation of the Golden Age of Steam.
The historic state railroad is still maintained as a fully self-contained railroad system. Its train crews maintain and operate 4 steam engines, 4 antique diesel locomotives, and a complete steam engine restoration shop; while its track crew maintains over 25 miles of track and 24 bridges.
Passengers may board the historic trains at either Rusk or Palestine. Both ends of the line have turn-of-the-century style train stations. The trip takes 1 1/2 hours to reach the opposite station. Once visitors have arrived, they have an hour to enjoy lunch, browse through the park's train store, ride paddle boats, or take a short nature hike. Passengers then reboard for the return trip home. The State Park's 50-mile, round-trip steam engine excursions take 4 hours.
Texas State Railroad State Historical Park is a must for all railway enthusiasts and also for those people wish to see and ride on part of North America's past transport system. Not only does the experience allow visitors to experience the natural beauty of East Texas, but the State Park also runs train seminars and workshops. This allows interested parties to truly understand both the workings of trains and also the transport system.
Within the State Park there are sites for camping.
The TSRR is known as one of the nation's largest and most unique steam train operations. The TSRR is one of the only steam railroads in the United States that runs two steam trains simultaneously on days of operation. The East Bound and West Bound trains meet twice daily at the mid point of the run. This gives rail enthusiasts a rare chance to see two historic steam engines switch and pass. The track length is 25.5 miles, the longest trestle measures 1042 feet and crosses the Neches River. All 24 trestles are concrete.
The goal of the Texas State Railroad State Historical Park is to offer its visitors a well-rounded educational experience. Along with the historic train excursions, the TSRR provides a wide variety of educational and entertainment programs. Each day of train operation, park visitors can tour the steam engine cab and visit the engineer. On selected weekends each month, the park offers steam engine shop tours, tours of the 1927 Texas & Pacific 610 steam engine, and train seminars and workshops. (Call for dates and times.). State Park camping and picnicking facilities are adjacent to both depots. The park at Rusk offers shaded picnic tables, a scenic 15-acre lake, group picnic pavilions, and full hookup camping. The Palestine park has shaded picnic tables and water-only camping sites. For information on camping or pavilion rentals, contact the Rusk/Palestine State Park (903) 683-5126 or Park Information at 1-800/792-1112.
As you travel through the heart of the Pineywoods and the rolling hardwood creek bottoms, the natural beauty of East Texas comes alive. Flowering Dogwoods offer a spectacular spring excursion during late March and early April, and warm shades of red and gold blanket the Autumn woods in November.
Nearby attractions include Rusk/Palestine State Parks, adjacent to both depots, offering a relaxing pineywoods atmosphere. The park at Rusk includes partial and full hookups and pavilions for group get-togethers. A scenic 15-acre lake provides opportunities for fishing. The park at Palestine has water hook-ups only; no electricity. It also includes pavilions for special activities and a day-use area. Jim Hogg State Historical Park is also located in Rusk on US Highway 84 East. Mission Tejas and Caddoan Mounds State Historical Parks are located west of Alto on Texas Highway 21. Tyler State Park is north of Tyler on FM 14. Fairfield Lake State Park is located approximately 43 miles west of Palestine near the town of Fairfield. For further information on the Texas State Railroad and other East Texas area historical sites, see The Center for East Texas Studies.
For more details, call the park or State Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
Recreational opportunities offered by the Texas State Railroad State Historical Park include, guided historical steam train travel, historical study, viewing scenery and camping.
The Texas State Railroad State Historical Park is located at an elevation of 500 feet. Temperatures within the park range from an average January low of 35 degrees and a July average high of 95 degrees. The average yearly rainfall is 41.7 inches. Current weather conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
