Texas State Railroad Is Back on Track
Published Dec 15, 2008
Special events for the Polar Express and Thomas the Tank Engine drew 31,000 riders for the Texas State Railroad.
What a difference a year makes. That’s the time that it took for a new operator to take the Texas State Railroad from near shutdown to a thriving enterprise, providing family entertainment while generating tourism dollars for Cherokee County.
The railroad, which was established in 1881 by the state prison system, is now operated by American Heritage Railways, which took over from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in September 2007.
American Heritage also operates the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina among its portfolio. (Go to www.texasstaterr.com for more information on the Texas State Railroad.)
During its first year, American Heritage made its mark with a stream of events, including hosting Thomas the Tank Engine and Polar Express special events, which drew a combined 31,000 riders, says Lori Kastrop, marketing manager. The Thomas event drew riders from 23 states and Polar Express drew riders from 19 states.
The railroad also hosted The Little Engine that Could tour, as well a live show featuring the Lone Ranger and Tonto, both of which were successful and may be repeated, Kastrop says.
In addition to regular train runs and special excursions for Valentine’s Day and other holidays, American Heritage also is working to spiff up the railroad’s rolling stock, all of which had some understandable wear and tear. The renovations will be carefully done and true to the railroad’s history and heritage, Kastrop says.
“We have just begun the restoration process, which will involve the cars and some of the engines,” she says. “The cars are being completely restored, but since we’re running all the time it’s an ongoing process.”
The coach cars are being completely refitted, including upgrades to paint, flooring, windows, roofs and wheels. American Heritage also will add cars to the railroad, including more with climate-control options.
On the locomotive side, the Engine 300 steam engine is being broken down for maintenance, repair and restoration as required by federal law, and the other locomotives will follow it over time.
In the coming months the railroad will explore adding more special events and regular excursions to its schedule even as its operators continue to spiff up everything from the gift shop to the souvenir selection.
“We’ve done a lot and we have a lot more to come,” Kastrop says. “We’re excited about what we can bring to East Texas.”
Story by Joe Morris
Photo by Staff
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