The Texas State Railroad, extending from Rusk to Palestine,
Texas, a distance of about 28 miles, was acquired by the State
Parks and Wildlife Commission as a tourist attraction about four
years ago. This line has been completely rebuilt at a cost of
nearly six million dollars. Four steam locomotives have been bought
and most of them have been rebuilt, along with rolling stock. It
project June 25 at which time Governor Brisco made the chief
address. Over 800 people rode the train on its first day runs.
Since that time it has made quite a number of special runs, and
always those who rode it had to make reservations in advance. This
promises to be one of the leading attractions in this part of east
Texas.
This was Texas’s first and only state owned railroad. It was
originally built by convict labor about 80 years ago; and a large
portion of the rebuilding of it in the past four years has been by
state convict labor. It is said to be the longest state park in our
state, with two large parks at each end of the line, with large
complexes, built largely by native stone, and appealing to the eye.
The line runs through some very scenic countryside of rolling
hills, and towering pines, and other trees common to this area. On
the final run of this year I have been invited to be present and to
supply a steam whistle which was used over 65 years ago on the old
I. & G. N Railroad and which bears the name ‘G.E.
WRIGHT’ stamped on the top of it. Eighteen ex-railroad men will
accompany me on this trip, and of course, we are expecting to hear
some ‘fancy whistling,’ that is, if ‘the hoghead’
(engineer) knows his whistling. I ask the readers of this magazine
to keep in mind that this line will be in full operation next year,
beginning about May 1, and all are invited to visit and enjoy the
ride.
