Texas State Railroad: the facts............

Txhighballer · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:49 am **Posts:** 773

The Texas State Railroad is operated by the state agency Texas Parks and Wildlife and was opened in 1976. The railroad carries around 55,000 passengers a year. The railroad has been repeatedly hit with budget cuts in the last few years,finally culminating in the actions for furloughing several employees,some with almost 30 years service to the railroad.
The railroad funded the construction of three boilers for 4-6-0 ex T&P 201, 2-8-0 number 300( which was the only engine completed and is in service)and for 4-6-2 ex ATSF 500. The budget cuts have cut into the railroad's abilities to finish the work on the locomotives,so their return
With the current funding cutbacks,management had no choice or alternative but to cut service. Palestine was the best choice to cut a departure,since the maintenance facility is located in Rusk.
Trains in Rusk will be powered by a doubleheaded combination of 300 and one of the diesels,if demand warrants. The 300 will be equipped with an MU box to control the trailing diesel.
Palestine is also the home of former Texas and Pacific 610,which lives in the Palestine enginehouse and is brought out for visitors.
There is a group,called Friends of the Texas State Railroad,which is trying to help the railroad,but the Texas Parks and Wildlife is making it difficult,if not impossible,for the group to raise money for the railroad. In one instance,the group was going to put on a benefit on the grounds of the railroad.....but the state agency told them they had to provide well over a million dollars liability insurance BEFORE they could proceed! this requirement ocurred at the last minute and in effect killed that opportunity.
The agency also will not allow any money to be given directly to the railroad....the money goes into the general revenue fund,which more than likely will not get to the railroad.
Texas is 49th out of 50 states in regards to money for state parks.... all this in a state with a billion dollar surplus.

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:06 am

I can only encourage our Texan brethren to vote Kinky for governor. He seems like the sort who appreciates steam, and I like his music.

Actually I haven't heard him or any of the candidates weigh in on this issue. Apart form the local merchants with vested interests, does the general citizenry care about state parks in general, or the railroad park in particular, enough to make it an issue?

dave

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:38 am

Dave, Having read some of Mr. Freidman's novels (in which he is the main character), I would have to agree that he is well qualified to suceed in politics, he is a legend in his own mind.....................................