Texas State Railway: The Perfect Summer Steam Train Getaway

If your children, like mine, love the old-time Stream Trains, then a daytrip on the Texas State Railway should be a summertime getaway goal. It also affords the adult train buff an experience rich in history and authentic steam locomotive travel. The railway traces the route taken by the supply train that carried hardwood logs from Palestine to be turned into charcoal at Rusk. The charcoal was then used to smelt iron ore in a foundry there. Incredibly, both the railroad and the foundry were built and operated using convict laborers.

The depots on the round-trip route are located near the towns of Palestine and Rusk, Texas, which are conveniently located within a few hours drive from Dallas-Ft Worth, Austin and Houston.

The ride itself lasts about 2 hours, with a layover at the beautiful parks on either end. You are allowed to bring picnic baskets and coolers for drinks, which are shipped in the baggage car. Snack and drinks are also sold from a concession stand aboard the train. Attendants will take your order for items and return with your goodies.

We started our journey from Palestine, arriving early form Dallas. We reserved our tickets online, so there was ample time to the explore the depot, read up on the history and take pictures. We saw the train emerge with a rumble from its shed in billows of steam. It proceeded to switch rails for the run and fill up the water tanks. Prior to the run, our two boys had a delightful tour of the train including a chance to see the train controls in the engineer's compartment, and blast the train's steam whistle. When the ride began, we opted to sit in the last passenger car, which gave us a great panoramic view of the scenery behind.

A fascinating aspect of Texas is the great variety in the geography and natural environment over relatively short distances. The Palestine to Rusk journey is a prime example, starting from the hardwood forests around Palestine, through magnificent stands of towering trees in the Piney Woods, and through lowland marshes and riverbeds. At one point we spotted an alligator sunning himself on the black mud of a creekbank. The railroad also crosses one of the longest rail bridges in Texas. In many areas the trip is like a journey through time, with glimpses of 1800-style homesteads and shacks in sparse clearings and the small towns along the route that still look like they did in 1930.

The route ends in Rusk State Park, where we had an enjoyable picnic under the tall pines along the lake. The boys were fascinated by the huge, flowering lillypads, and the bluegill and bass that gobbled breadcrumbs we tossed off the dock. We even found a picturesque miniature covered bridge across a creek at the south side of the lake. There is also a playgound with swingset and a very tall, slick steel slide that Jonny loved to streak down. After a rollicking good romp, we were ready for the return trip.

The return trip in the afternoon heat was a bit more challenging, but we were prepared with cold drinks and fine-mist spraying waterbottles that we used on ourselves to cool off. Ice cream from the concession doesn't hurt either. The train seating can be adjusted so that two benches can face each other to create a cosy nook for a small family or group of friends. By the time we chugged, rattled and rolled back into the station, we were all ready for a smooth, quiet ride in the car. The kids snoozed in the back seats as we cruised along the highway headed for home.