In March 2007 we visited the Texas State RR, which operates a steam-powered passenger train between Rusk and Palestine. There is a campground near the depot at each end of the line; we stayed at the Rusk campground during our visit.
The station and water tank at Rusk. This location is about three miles west of Rusk on US-84.
The railroad is very friendly toward railfans. I checked in at the Shops office and was given a hard hat, safety glasses, and told to make myself at home.
This is #400, a 2-8-2 built by Baldwin in 1917.
#400's builder's plate.
#1 is a GE 44-tonner built by GE in Dec 1947, serial #29207.
Here is #300 in the shop. She's a 2-8-0 built by Baldwin in 1917.
Some of the crew putting finishing touches on #300, in preparation for the weekend.
#201, a 4-6-0 built by Cooke Works in 1901. She's the newest addition to the TSR roster.
#500 has just begun a major overhaul, and will be rebuilt from the ground up. She's a 4-6-2 built by Baldwin in 1901.
#119343 is a steam crane with accompanying boom car.
Another view of #119343.
Here is an old spreader, former GN #126302.
The water tank at Rusk with the depot in the background.
Friday afternoon found #8 pulling #300 out of the shop. They'll begin firing her up in the morning about 0630.
#300 with train awaiting departure from Rusk.
#300 ready to roll.
#610 sits outside the Palestine shops. She's 2-10-4 built by Lima in 1927.
#300 turning on the wye at Palestine.
The Palestine depot.
Trains run simultaneously from each end of the line and meet at Mewshaw. Here #7, a 1947 Alco RS-2, waits in the hole as our train passes.
Sammy King, a fromer TSR employee, has written a great article about his experiences on the TSR.