Instead of hanging out for the ARM annual meeting on Sunday, I jumped into the rented Toyota and headed southeast to Rusk for my first visit to the Texas State Railroad, a 25-mile tourist line.

I have to admit that my expectations were low given the line's well-known gaudy paint schemes (sort of reminds me of some of the early RR theme parks of the 60s or early 70s) and its participation in Robby Kinvel's motorcycle stunt of a couple of years ago, but I have to tell you that these folks do many things right.

Among them: A train set that works. The coaches were clean, the attendants spiffy in uniform overalls with blue "work" shirts and striped engineers' caps. The open air car (shades of the SR Missionary Ridge of my youth!) was a delight even on a misty day. The combine provided easy loading for a group of disabled passengers and a well stocked snack bar (any train ride of 1.5 hours each way with microwave popcorn is OK in my book).

The depots at both ends of the line are modern and designed for today's useage. Both ends offered pre-packaged food but 40-miles out in the woods it was appreciated. The grounds were decorated for fall and some of the staff was on hand in halloween garb.

The engine du jour on my end of the ride, ex-AT&SF 1316 now TSRR 500 is getting a NEW BOILER next year as part of a long-range plan to install new boilers on all engines. Apparently, Texas Parks & Wildlife has decided that instead of patching old boilers, they'll go for some fresh equipment. I tend to agree with them--they're taking the long-range view that steam will be alive 90 years from now.

The ride was interesting with a 2.8 percent grade tht made the Pacific really work and several bridges along the way, a meet with the other steam-powered train of the day.

One other thing that gets a big plus in my book: Prior to the trip, the passengers were invited to visit the engine cab. A nice set of retractable stairs was placed on either side of the cab allowing a stream of visitors to check out the backhead, burn a plastic coke bottle in the firebox and talk to the crew.

On the down side: The place is almost invisible to the public as there are no signs along major roads to direct you to the stations until you actually get to the turn off on U.S. 84.

The green paint on the AT&SF engine is a distraction, for sure, just as is the red paint on the Mikado.

One of the real preservation stars in the nation, ex-T&P 610, is stuffed back into the back of the shop. Apparently, the last surviving example of Lima's original "super power" is open for inspection regularly, but not on rainy Sundays. It would be nice to see her in a place of honor that's open regularly. But at least she's covered and lettered T&P (something that pleased this writer, who enjoyed many a fall day in a dutch door behind her in Georgia and Tennessee in the late 70s when the Southern leased her for excursions).

On Monday, I had time before my flight to visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. This museum on the Kennedy shooting claims attendance of 450,000 and is very well done. I recommend it to all of you who are interested in connecting with your visitors.



Wrinnbo@aol.com

Jim,

The TSRR is my favorite as well. By the way, T&P 610 does get to come out for air on special occasions, pushed out by a diesel. Last year, the railroad sponsored a "610 Railfan Weekend" in which TSRR #201 was relettered for the weekend as T&P 316, and a "meet" between 316 and 610 was performed in Palestine. I think mentioned this event before, but at least I am including a photograph this time!

I also love the lack of narration during the trip; and the sound of the locomotive echoing through the piney woods. Another fun sight is of the locomotive's stack blasting the overhanging pine branches during the trip. Very nice.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a


Surviving World Steam Locomotives

james1@pernet.net