The
Texas State Railroad dates back to the late 1800's when
the TexasPrison System opened the East Texas Penitentiary
in Rusk, Texas. The land around Rusk was rich in iron
ore and covered with immense stands of timber. A foundry
was constructed on prison grounds in 1884 to convert the
ore into cast iron. Using charcoal made from the native
lumber and prisoners as the labor force, administrators
believed that this process would be economically feasible.
By 1896 prison officials realized that transporting timber
and iron ore by horse and wagon was impractical. It was
decided that a railroad was necessary to provide the foundry
with enough raw material to operate efficiently. Construction
began on five miles of track, built in a southwesterly
direction from the institution.
In 1906 the track was extended an additional five miles
to the small community of Maydelle. By 1909 the track
stretched all the way to the town of Palestine. The T.S.R.
interchanged with the Cotton Belt railroad in Rusk and
the International and Great Northern railroad in Palestine.
Foundry operations at the prison proved to be unable to
compete with the burgeoning iron industry in Birmingham,
Alabama and ceased production in 1913.
The Texas State Railroad
continued to operate as a common carrier, providing both
freight and passenger service, but consistently operated
at a loss. This led to cessation of operation in 1921.
All rolling stock was sold, and the line was offered for
lease.
In 1921 the State leased
the line to the Texas & New Orleans Railroad, a subsidiary
of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The T. & N. O. operated
the line until 1960, when the Texas South Eastern took
over the lease. The T. S. E. was owned by Temple Lumber
Company and primarily transported timber to company sawmills.
The T. S. E. gave up the lease in 1969. In 1972 the State
of Texas turned the aging line over to the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department.
By 1972 the railroad
was in poor condition, vegetation had overgrown the track
and major work was necessary to make it into an operating
railroad. Again prisoners would provide the work force
to renovate the Texas State Railroad. Inmates from the
Texas Department of Corrections set to work clearing brush,
replacing cross ties, and repairing bridges. Park employees
traveled over much of the United States to obtain vintage
rail cars and steam locomotives for use in the park. Victorian
style depots were constructed at both ends of the line
to provide passenger comfort and interpretive exhibits.
After years of hard work the Texas State Railroad State
Park opened in 1976 to provide youngsters of all ages
with the thrill and romance of steam powered railroading.
The Texas Parks and Wildfe Department operated the steam power train for 31 years as East Texas' biggest tourist attraction. Throughout this period, the TSRR was dedicated to preserving and recreating the history of American railroading for the benefit of present and future generations.
The 78th Texas Legislature named the Texas State Railroad as the "Official Railroad of Texas", sponsored by State Representative Chuck Hopson.
Due to budget cuts by the state, on September 1, 2007, the Texas Legislature transferred the ownership of the Texas State Railroad to the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority, which will oversee the operation of the TSRR by American Heritage Railroad Company, a private company. www.texasstaterr.com
The TSRR is located deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas and has Victorian-style depots outside the towns of Rusk and Palestine. The 25 miles of track meanders through some of the most beautiful forests in East Texas and crosses the Neches River.
Please visit www.texasstaterr.com for Schedules and Tickets.
