Texas State Railroad

The Texas State Railroad is the Official Railroad of Texas and one of the most historically significant and scenically spectacular heritage railroads in the American South. Founded in 1881 when Texas prison system inmates were put to work building a railroad to transport iron ore to the East Texas State Penitentiary smelter in Rusk, the railroad today carries passengers on a magnificent 50-mile roundtrip journey through the ancient Piney Woods of deep East Texas — a landscape of towering longleaf pines, hardwood creek bottoms, and abundant East Texas wildlife. Vintage steam and diesel locomotives depart from the Victorian-style Palestine depot and travel through the stunning Neches River bottomlands to the Rusk depot, with a layover for lunch and exploration before the return journey. Passengers can choose from open-air observation cars, climate-controlled premium coaches with table service and beverages, and family-friendly Lone Star Class cars. The railroad is also home of the Lone Ranger, and train robbery reenactments by costumed outlaws — foiled by the masked man himself — delight riders of all ages. The Texas State Railroad has served as a film location for numerous Hollywood productions including O Brother Where Art Thou, Streets of Laredo, and American Outlaws. The Polar Express holiday train is among the railroad’s most popular annual events.