Texas State Railroad

The fully self-contained Victorian-style steam-engine railroad operates on a varied schedule from March through November, with weekend excursions year-round. Passengers board the historic trains at either Palestine or Rusk for the 50-mile, four-and-one-half-hour round trip, enjoying the beautiful Pineywoods scenery and views of the Neches River en route. Consult the website for train schedules.

Roundtrip fares: $34.00 adult; $17.00 child

Special Event: Sundays in August and September

BBQ, live music and train rides are included in one ticket price. In August, join the fun at the Palestine Depot. In September, the festivities are based at the Rusk Depot.

BBQ Lunch and live musical entertainment: 12:30pm-1:15pm
Round Trip train excursion: 1:30pm-3:00pm

Ticket prices (all inclusive): $38.00 adult; $21.00 child (age 3-11)

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Website: http://www.texasstaterr.com

Phone:(888) 987-2461

Itineraries

Artisans, Architecture and Antiques

Today, Pineywoods arts and culture mix the down-home with the cutting edge--and testify to the region’s diverse mix of people and traditions.

Texas History Comes to Life

From “The Oldest Town in Texas” to the Pineywoods’ biggest city--the region's rich history abounds.

Get In Tune with Nature

A wealth of state parks, a national preserve and other sanctuaries offer a full menu of recreational options, from birding to boating.

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Plan your trip using
THE PINEYWOODS MAP »

Arts & Culture Spotlight

The Artisans of Edom

The town of Edom--in Van Zandt County just a few miles west of the city Tyler--is miniscule. Though Edom was founded in 1849, its population has never topped 300. But size isn’t everything. Beginning in the 1960s, artisans attracted to the hamlet’s comfortably rustic ways and laid-back atmosphere began settling here. Now, Edom’s main drag--a stretch of FM 279--is loaded with shops purveying one-of-a-kind wares by local potters, jewelry makers, glassmakers, and more. Why, there’s even a gourmet food shop. And every October, Edom welcomes scores of artists and craftspeople from all over Texas and beyond to the Edom Festival of the Arts.

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History & Heritage Spotlight

A Vintage Texas Experience

As someone once observed, “The past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past.” That’s certainly true of the Texas State Railroad--a shortline service that, established in 1881 and fully restored in 1976, is still shuttling passengers between Palestine, in Anderson County, and Rusk, in Cherokee County. Even before boarding the vintage steam-engine trains that ply the route, visitors are transported back to the 19th century by the Victorian-style depots at either end of the line. The stations are surrounded by beautifully landscaped parks that provide camping facilities, among other amenities. The 50-mile round trip takes four and a half hours.

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