Texas State Railroad - Rusk Depot - Sept 18-19 2015

[2bits]

Danny wants to ride the train at the Texas State Railroad State Park in Palestine, TX next fall so I thought I would post here to drum up some interest.

It seemed like the last two weekends of September was looking like a good time to camp and ride the steam engine train. I had just missed a vintage trailer gathering there a couple months ago and have always wanted to do this so I am definitely on board!

The full Hook-up sites 1-32 are the way to go, otherwise we will be doing parking lot camping. Sites 5-15 are a nice stretch to aim for starting at site 10 in the middle and then working our way out (But it's State Park rules so we cannot reserve a specific spot until arrival). $30/night. Sites have 30 and 50 amp electrical hook-up, water/sewer, fire ring, grill, picnic table in a wooded area. This is pretty standard with us except that it has sewer hookups and no tents are allowed.

Here is a link for the RV park and Campgrounds: https://www.texasstaterr.com/parks.php

if you mention confirmation # 48993 along with being with the South Central Teardrop group, this will help them place us in sites 5-15.

[aggie79]

Sounds cool to me. I've always wanted to ride the train.

[capnTelescope]

I just loves choo-choos. I'll go!

[Woodyperk6]

Thomas, pick a weekend and I'll make reservations.

I think is was spinnernut that brought up riding the train.

Anyway I'm on board. Pun intended.

[spinnernut]

Darn right, I here that train a coming.

[coyote]

Date yet? Joann said "Thats a while off yet; put us down, we may move to Texas by then, that way we can go more!" I brought a timid, skeptical lady to you people. Look what YOU'VE done!

[2bits]

Sept 25-26th seems like the perfect weekend, so let's plan for that weekend. Since it is a busy park, we might consider adding Thursday also so we can get together.

Sites are first come first served and the strip of sites from 6-13 seem perfect for us to aim for. I will make my reservation mentioning South Central Teardrops in the hopes they will be nice and try to get us together like the State Parks do.

The park stated that they were getting hammered with the Polar Express train reservations right now and isn't doing the calendar for next year until late January/early Feb. so we will need to wait until then to make reservations.

There are no online reservations and the reservation line to use is: 903-683-2561 (Don't use the 888 number on the park map, or it will take you to some "Special Offer" company trying to sell you stuff and they won't let you go! I finally had to hang up on them and called back the 903 number...

[Woodyperk6]

Thanks for the info Thomas. I think it will make for a good weekend.

[rdraider]

I'm not sure what they charge for the train rides, but if it ain't over $30-40 it'll be worth it! The ride is great!
I rode it years ago when it was still a state park entity, and they took us out and rotated the train on a roundtable that is built into the track.
Not a thrill ride, but a great way to spend the afternoon.

[Woodyperk6]

I'm not sure what they charge for the train rides, but if it ain't over $30-40 it'll be worth it! The ride is great!
I rode it years ago when it was still a state park entity, and they took us out and rotated the train on a roundtable that is built into the track.
Not a thrill ride, but a great way to spend the afternoon.

Hello Robert, the last time we road the train we camped very near the tracks at Rusk when it was a SP. If you like camping and steam trains it's a neat place to go. Like you said it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

[2bits]

Roundtrip excursions depart from the Rusk depot at 11:00am and return at 3:30pm. The trip is 1 ½ hours each way with 1 ½ hours lunch layover at the opposite depot for a total 4 ½ hour experience. Box lunches are available for pre-order, or you may bring your own lunch. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase in the concession car. (no word about alcohol for you lushes).

Standard seating: $32.00 $28.00 (65 and up) $20.00 (2-12)

Coach
Traditional upholstered seating
Enclosed car with windows that open & close

Open Air
Bench seating
Enclosed car with open windows

It goes up to $75 for climate control car. Being that we're campers, bring a butt pillow and go open air!

[james worley]

Nice park. We're in.

[Tiny Tow]

This sounds great! I'll try for a reservation.

[vairman]

Count us in Thomas

[2bits]

Monday Feb 2nd lets all call in and reserve and mention the South Central (Tears/Teardrops/Tiny trailers). They'll get the picture real quick that we are together and hopefully will get us together. Will be fun!