Posted on
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Threatened Tourist Railroad Attracts Generations To Ride Rails
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a multi-part series examining the Texas State Railroad and its uncertain future.
Come Sept. 1, the Texas State Railroad is set to become a static display — unless ongoing efforts to save the train by residents of Anderson and Cherokee counties and East Texas legislators prevail.
Local staff and volunteers have been working hard to save the train. For some it is a reminder of trips and adventures in the past. For others it offers a chance to experience something that will become a wonderful memory for them.
Come Sept. 1, the Texas State Railroad is set to become a static display — unless ongoing efforts to save the train by residents of Anderson and Cherokee counties and East Texas legislators prevail.
Local staff and volunteers have been working hard to save the train. For some it is a reminder of trips and adventures in the past. For others it offers a chance to experience something that will become a wonderful memory for them.
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By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer
The Texas State Railroad steam train slowly tunnels its way through the lush green foliage of East Texas on a crisp, cool spring morning.
White steam wafts into the open-air train car that gently rocks back and forth as passengers head for their destination. The rhythmic clickety-clack of the train on the tracks is muffled only by the loud, sharp blow of the whistle that causes children to cover their ears and squeal.
Parents snap photos of their babies and of each other aboard the historic steam engine. Children snack on popcorn and candy, while others stare almost mesmerized at the greenery passing by outside. Grandparents hold on snuggly to grandbabies.
Generations of families sit near each other, talking and laughing — brought together that day for a ride on the Texas State Railroad.
“It’s awesome!” 8-year-old Ashlyn Martin said.
Ashlyn was riding the train with her parents, grandparents and cousins on a Saturday in March.
Her mother, Amanda, last rode the train with her mother and family members in 1980.
Twenty-seven years later, the family was back to enjoy the ride with the next generation.
“We feel bad that it took the threat of losing it to really make us come out here,” said Amanda Martin, of Grand Prairie. “We took for granted that it was always going to be here. … We always meant to.”
Staff Writer
The Texas State Railroad steam train slowly tunnels its way through the lush green foliage of East Texas on a crisp, cool spring morning.
White steam wafts into the open-air train car that gently rocks back and forth as passengers head for their destination. The rhythmic clickety-clack of the train on the tracks is muffled only by the loud, sharp blow of the whistle that causes children to cover their ears and squeal.
Parents snap photos of their babies and of each other aboard the historic steam engine. Children snack on popcorn and candy, while others stare almost mesmerized at the greenery passing by outside. Grandparents hold on snuggly to grandbabies.
Generations of families sit near each other, talking and laughing — brought together that day for a ride on the Texas State Railroad.
“It’s awesome!” 8-year-old Ashlyn Martin said.
Ashlyn was riding the train with her parents, grandparents and cousins on a Saturday in March.
Her mother, Amanda, last rode the train with her mother and family members in 1980.
Twenty-seven years later, the family was back to enjoy the ride with the next generation.
“We feel bad that it took the threat of losing it to really make us come out here,” said Amanda Martin, of Grand Prairie. “We took for granted that it was always going to be here. … We always meant to.”
It is the possibility that the Texas State Railroad may no longer carry passengers for a day’s excursion between the cities of Rusk and Palestine that recently has brought an influx of people to ride the train.
Last year it became clear the train that has carried tens of thousands of locals and tourists through the pine forests of East Texas could come to a screeching halt because of budget constraints imposed on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which runs the Texas State Railroad State Park.
A threatened end to train rides was narrowly avoided in December when funds were found to keep the railroad moving through Aug. 31.
Come Sept. 1, however, the train is set to become a static display — unless ongoing efforts to save the train by residents of Anderson and Cherokee counties and East Texas legislators prevail.
‘ALL ABOARD’
Vicki Buller’s 4-year-old grandson was anxiously awaiting his chance to ride the Texas State Railroad the day in March they ventured from Livingston to Rusk for the excursion.
“He was afraid we were going to get rained out,” Ms. Buller said. “We had to get up at 6 o’clock this morning to get ready. And, of course, about every 30 minutes, it was, ‘are we at the train yet?’
“This is something completely new for him.”
Those who ride the Texas State Railroad range from young children to 80-year-old ‘kids,’ said Robert Crossman, railroad superintendent. Those who come include school groups, church groups and reunion groups. And they come from everywhere — all over the state and even foreign countries.
It’s the throw back to “yester-year” that attracts visitors.
“Stand out here on a foggy, rainy day with your iPOD turned off — it could be 2007 or it could be 1937,” Crossman said. “It’s a slower pace, less hurried — and people seem to enjoy that.”
The clicking of the wheels, the sound of the steam and the whistle “takes you back to your grandparents’ day,” said Julie Heineke, a passenger from the Austin area who rode the train in March.
The desire to find some “nostalgia” and the fear the train would soon no longer be running brought the Heinekes to Rusk.
“It’s going to be a loss if they do close it,” Mrs. Heineke said. Her husband, Stephen, said it would be “devastating.”
The day they rode the train marked the first train ride for their 3-year-old grandson Ethan, who played with a toy train while aboard the real thing.His mother hopes he always has that love of trains.
“Maybe one day he’ll save one,” she said.
Vicki Buller said it would be a “terrible loss” if the Texas State Railroad were to stop running.
“I think it’s real important for the children to be able to experience this,” she said. “This is just beautiful country. It’s a good way to keep the past alive, for children to know that it wasn’t always as simple as jumping on an airplane or getting in a car and taking off. This was the way people traveled.”
Angela Smith, a third-grade teacher at Brooklyn Elementary School in Brooklyn who brought students out for a ride on the train as a field trip, wanted the kids to see the train is still there.
Ms. Smith said they talked about the chance the train could close.
“If we don’t show them what’s here, then there’s no chance of saving anything because they have to grow up and it be important to them,” she said. “I think it would be so sad for this to end.
“I think it would be one of the saddest things that could ever happen, really.”
She said it is important for students to see history is still alive and realize that “we need to preserve this.”
A ride aboard the Texas State Railroad offers a great adventure for children, said Joyce McMilland of Dallas, who rode the train in March with a church group.
“I hope they will keep it open for that reason,” she said. “They ought to make every effort to keep it going.”
Last year it became clear the train that has carried tens of thousands of locals and tourists through the pine forests of East Texas could come to a screeching halt because of budget constraints imposed on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which runs the Texas State Railroad State Park.
A threatened end to train rides was narrowly avoided in December when funds were found to keep the railroad moving through Aug. 31.
Come Sept. 1, however, the train is set to become a static display — unless ongoing efforts to save the train by residents of Anderson and Cherokee counties and East Texas legislators prevail.
‘ALL ABOARD’
Vicki Buller’s 4-year-old grandson was anxiously awaiting his chance to ride the Texas State Railroad the day in March they ventured from Livingston to Rusk for the excursion.
“He was afraid we were going to get rained out,” Ms. Buller said. “We had to get up at 6 o’clock this morning to get ready. And, of course, about every 30 minutes, it was, ‘are we at the train yet?’
“This is something completely new for him.”
Those who ride the Texas State Railroad range from young children to 80-year-old ‘kids,’ said Robert Crossman, railroad superintendent. Those who come include school groups, church groups and reunion groups. And they come from everywhere — all over the state and even foreign countries.
It’s the throw back to “yester-year” that attracts visitors.
“Stand out here on a foggy, rainy day with your iPOD turned off — it could be 2007 or it could be 1937,” Crossman said. “It’s a slower pace, less hurried — and people seem to enjoy that.”
The clicking of the wheels, the sound of the steam and the whistle “takes you back to your grandparents’ day,” said Julie Heineke, a passenger from the Austin area who rode the train in March.
The desire to find some “nostalgia” and the fear the train would soon no longer be running brought the Heinekes to Rusk.
“It’s going to be a loss if they do close it,” Mrs. Heineke said. Her husband, Stephen, said it would be “devastating.”
The day they rode the train marked the first train ride for their 3-year-old grandson Ethan, who played with a toy train while aboard the real thing.His mother hopes he always has that love of trains.
“Maybe one day he’ll save one,” she said.
Vicki Buller said it would be a “terrible loss” if the Texas State Railroad were to stop running.
“I think it’s real important for the children to be able to experience this,” she said. “This is just beautiful country. It’s a good way to keep the past alive, for children to know that it wasn’t always as simple as jumping on an airplane or getting in a car and taking off. This was the way people traveled.”
Angela Smith, a third-grade teacher at Brooklyn Elementary School in Brooklyn who brought students out for a ride on the train as a field trip, wanted the kids to see the train is still there.
Ms. Smith said they talked about the chance the train could close.
“If we don’t show them what’s here, then there’s no chance of saving anything because they have to grow up and it be important to them,” she said. “I think it would be so sad for this to end.
“I think it would be one of the saddest things that could ever happen, really.”
She said it is important for students to see history is still alive and realize that “we need to preserve this.”
A ride aboard the Texas State Railroad offers a great adventure for children, said Joyce McMilland of Dallas, who rode the train in March with a church group.
“I hope they will keep it open for that reason,” she said. “They ought to make every effort to keep it going.”
SAVING THE RAILROAD
Efforts have been under way for more than a year by residents from the cities of Palestine and Rusk to keep the wheels of the Texas State Railroad turning — including contracting with a private operator to possibly run the train.
That effort has evolved into legislation to create an “operating authority” that could lease the train to a private operator, in this case, American Heritage Railways, which runs the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina.
The legislation that would make that possible has passed out of the Senate and is currently pending before the House and could be voted on Monday or Tuesday. Even if the House approves the legislation, funding for a transfer to a private operator would still need to be hammered out in a budget conference process, which is ongoing for the rest of the legislative session that ends at the close of the month.
Proponents of this legislation say that after exhaustive looks at multiple options, they feel this is the best one for the long-term success of the railroad. But opponents to the bill want to put the brakes on the creation of this public-private partnership and find a way to keep the Texas State Railroad in the hands of Parks and Wildlife, which they believe would be better for the railroad.
Efforts have been under way for more than a year by residents from the cities of Palestine and Rusk to keep the wheels of the Texas State Railroad turning — including contracting with a private operator to possibly run the train.
That effort has evolved into legislation to create an “operating authority” that could lease the train to a private operator, in this case, American Heritage Railways, which runs the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina.
The legislation that would make that possible has passed out of the Senate and is currently pending before the House and could be voted on Monday or Tuesday. Even if the House approves the legislation, funding for a transfer to a private operator would still need to be hammered out in a budget conference process, which is ongoing for the rest of the legislative session that ends at the close of the month.
Proponents of this legislation say that after exhaustive looks at multiple options, they feel this is the best one for the long-term success of the railroad. But opponents to the bill want to put the brakes on the creation of this public-private partnership and find a way to keep the Texas State Railroad in the hands of Parks and Wildlife, which they believe would be better for the railroad.
Whatever the method of saving and funding the railroad winds up being, Amanda Martin wants to have the chance to someday repeat the new tradition of riding the Texas State Railroad with the next generation of her family.
Just like she rode with the train with her mom 20 years ago, “I would like to be able to bring my daughter with her daughter one day,” she said.
Just like she rode with the train with her mom 20 years ago, “I would like to be able to bring my daughter with her daughter one day,” she said.
Railroad Has Big Economic Effect On Cherokee And Anderson Counties
By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer
The Texas State Railroad has been described as the Alamo of East Texas — an “economic engine” and priceless piece of history, for not only the cities and counties it traverses, but the region and the state.
If one were to put a price tag on what the train injects into the economies of Anderson and Cherokee counties, an updated study finished last year by William J. Boswell and John L. Crompton of Texas A&M University, showed the economic impact of the railroad on Anderson and Cherokee counties was $5.9 million in direct expenditures, $8.1 million in sales, $5.4 million in income to local residents and 157 jobs.
The economic impact of the railroad on the state was estimated to be $892,000 in direct expenditures, $1.2 million in sales, $778,000 in income to Texas residents and 24 jobs, according to the report. The numbers are based on total 2006 visitation of more than 54,600 guests.
Palestine Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brian Malone said that as far as bringing tourists to the area, “There’s nothing that can hold a candle to the railroad.”
“In terms of tourism, it’s the No. 1 attraction that we have,” Malone said. “The railroad is quintessential in terms of our identity.”
Bob Goldsberry, executive director of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce and Rusk Economic Development Corp., said without the railroad, Rusk would see a serious impact on its economy.
“It’s tourist dollars that are introduced into the economy whether they are shopping, whether they are buying gasoline … or passing through and saying we need to come back and spend a weekend here,” Goldsberry said.
Even East Texas groups outside Anderson and Cherokee counties have recognized the value of the train.
The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, was among several that voted to adopt a resolution supporting the creation of the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority, which, if pending legislation passes, could pave the way for a private operator to run the train.
“The reason we thought it was important to support the railroad there in Palestine and Rusk is that it is a tourist attraction to our area,” said Henry Bell, chief operating officer for the chamber and the convention and visitors bureau. “By preserving more tourist attractions to our area, it benefits us economically. The more things that are there for the tourists in the area, the longer they’ll stay.”
And odds are they could stay in Tyler, he said.
The railroad seems to not only be a boon to local economies but perhaps also an attraction for potential filmmakers who might come to Texas.
Movies such as “Streets of Laredo” with James Garner, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” with George Clooney and “American Outlaws” with Colin Farrell have been filmed at the Texas State Railroad or used its equipment.
A portion of a new Denzel Washington film, “The Great Debaters,” is scheduled to be shot at the Texas State Railroad in June.
According to a letter from the Texas Film Commission written in September 2006 to the Texas State Railroad Preservation Task Force, the commission was in support of “whatever actions can help keep the Texas State Railroad and its facilities in place for future film projects.”
“The Railroad and its facilities have been and continue to be a tremendously important asset to Texas’ film industry and to East Texas in particular,” according to the letter from commission director Bob Hudgins.
The letter explained that since 1977, 18 major film and television projects have used the train or its equipment, bringing more than $9 million in direct spending to East Texas. Those same projects spent an additional $57.4 million in other Texas locations.
According to the letter, “without the train, it’s unlikely that the projects would have shot in Texas at all.”
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For more information on the Texas State Railroad, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Web site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/railroad
For more information on the legislation related to the Texas State Railroad, visit the Texas Legislature Online: www.capitol.state.tx.us and search for House Bill 3113 or Senate Bill 1659
COMING MONDAY: Check out the second part of the “Saving the Texas State Railroad” series, which examines the effort to save the railroad through the creation of a local public-private partnership and also those opposed to the railroad leaving state control.
Staff Writer
The Texas State Railroad has been described as the Alamo of East Texas — an “economic engine” and priceless piece of history, for not only the cities and counties it traverses, but the region and the state.
If one were to put a price tag on what the train injects into the economies of Anderson and Cherokee counties, an updated study finished last year by William J. Boswell and John L. Crompton of Texas A&M University, showed the economic impact of the railroad on Anderson and Cherokee counties was $5.9 million in direct expenditures, $8.1 million in sales, $5.4 million in income to local residents and 157 jobs.
The economic impact of the railroad on the state was estimated to be $892,000 in direct expenditures, $1.2 million in sales, $778,000 in income to Texas residents and 24 jobs, according to the report. The numbers are based on total 2006 visitation of more than 54,600 guests.
Palestine Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brian Malone said that as far as bringing tourists to the area, “There’s nothing that can hold a candle to the railroad.”
“In terms of tourism, it’s the No. 1 attraction that we have,” Malone said. “The railroad is quintessential in terms of our identity.”
Bob Goldsberry, executive director of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce and Rusk Economic Development Corp., said without the railroad, Rusk would see a serious impact on its economy.
“It’s tourist dollars that are introduced into the economy whether they are shopping, whether they are buying gasoline … or passing through and saying we need to come back and spend a weekend here,” Goldsberry said.
Even East Texas groups outside Anderson and Cherokee counties have recognized the value of the train.
The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, was among several that voted to adopt a resolution supporting the creation of the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority, which, if pending legislation passes, could pave the way for a private operator to run the train.
“The reason we thought it was important to support the railroad there in Palestine and Rusk is that it is a tourist attraction to our area,” said Henry Bell, chief operating officer for the chamber and the convention and visitors bureau. “By preserving more tourist attractions to our area, it benefits us economically. The more things that are there for the tourists in the area, the longer they’ll stay.”
And odds are they could stay in Tyler, he said.
The railroad seems to not only be a boon to local economies but perhaps also an attraction for potential filmmakers who might come to Texas.
Movies such as “Streets of Laredo” with James Garner, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” with George Clooney and “American Outlaws” with Colin Farrell have been filmed at the Texas State Railroad or used its equipment.
A portion of a new Denzel Washington film, “The Great Debaters,” is scheduled to be shot at the Texas State Railroad in June.
According to a letter from the Texas Film Commission written in September 2006 to the Texas State Railroad Preservation Task Force, the commission was in support of “whatever actions can help keep the Texas State Railroad and its facilities in place for future film projects.”
“The Railroad and its facilities have been and continue to be a tremendously important asset to Texas’ film industry and to East Texas in particular,” according to the letter from commission director Bob Hudgins.
The letter explained that since 1977, 18 major film and television projects have used the train or its equipment, bringing more than $9 million in direct spending to East Texas. Those same projects spent an additional $57.4 million in other Texas locations.
According to the letter, “without the train, it’s unlikely that the projects would have shot in Texas at all.”
------
For more information on the Texas State Railroad, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Web site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/railroad
For more information on the legislation related to the Texas State Railroad, visit the Texas Legislature Online: www.capitol.state.tx.us and search for House Bill 3113 or Senate Bill 1659
COMING MONDAY: Check out the second part of the “Saving the Texas State Railroad” series, which examines the effort to save the railroad through the creation of a local public-private partnership and also those opposed to the railroad leaving state control.
Texas State Railroad -- A Time Line Of Developments
The recent plight of the Texas State Railroad began in December 2005 as budget cuts went into effect across Texas at state parks, including at the railroad.
The fight to keep the train fully operational is ongoing. Currently, the train is set to become a static display in September — unless efforts by residents and legislators to keep the wheels turning prevail.
The following is a timeline of events that highlights some of the major steps along the way in the battle to save the Texas State Railroad.
Dec. 1, 2005 — New operational hours at selected Texas state parks went into effect. The changes were necessary because of a system-wide staffing cutback. Because of the reduced staff at the Texas State Railroad, the train was slated for runs to come only out of the Rusk depot — and none from Palestine.
Jan. 17, 2006 — In a packed public meeting at Palestine City Hall, residents gathered to voice their opinions and hear what led state officials to eliminate regular runs of the Texas State Railroad from Palestine. Walt Dabney, state parks division director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, made a presentation to the crowd about the condition of state parks, showing photos of deteriorating facilities and explaining the budget issues that led to the decision.
Jan. 26, 2006 — A delegation from Anderson and Cherokee counties and the cities of Palestine and Rusk traveled to Austin to meet with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in regard to the cuts to the Texas State Railroad budget.
Feb. 11, 2006 — Palestine leaders launched a petition drive in support of the financially-strapped state parks.
March 3, 2006 — In a letter from Texas Parks and Wildlife Executive Director Robert Cook to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speak of the House Tom Craddick, he writes that it is recommended that the Texas State Railroad, on Jan. 1, 2007, be transferred to another entity for operation and management.
“If this transfer does not take place by January 1, 2007, TPWD will begin operating the TSR as a static historical display at Rusk State Park and Palestine State Park,” Cook wrote.
March, 6, 2006 — State legislators announced in a press conference that operations at the Palestine depot of the Texas State Railroad would resume and a task force, later known as the Texas State Railroad Preservation Task Force, would be assembled to consider the possibility of another entity taking over the operations of the railroad.
March 27, 2006 — About three weeks after an announcement was made that money would be allocated to restore regular runs originating from Palestine, officials were still waiting for it to happen. The Palestine Mayor said people “are starting to get a little unsettled.”
March 29, 2006 — After weeks of uncertainty, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced a date when the rides out of the Texas State Railroad’s Palestine depot would resume. Officials said the train runs from Palestine would begin again no later than April 15.
April 8, 2006 — The Palestine depot of the Texas State Railroad was back in action.
Aug. 10, 2006 — Robert Cook, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, wrote a letter to Dewhurst and Craddick, requesting a supplemental appropriation from the Legislative Budget Board for $650,000.
Cook wrote that unless additional funding is forthcoming, the department would have to convert the railroad to a static display. He mentions, however, there are talks about possibly transferring the railroad to another entity.
“It was the consensus at the July 25, 2006, meeting that allowing the train to become a static display in January 2007 might derail any negotiations and efforts of the (Texas State Railroad Preservation Task Force) to find a new operator,” he writes to Dewhurst and Craddick. “… All parties agreed that the best approach would be to seek additional funding from the Legislature to allow the train to run through the end of FY 07, thus giving the full Legislature time to take action if it so desires.”
August 15, 2006 — Legislators announce that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has asked the Legislative Budget Board for a $650,000 supplemental appropriation to help keep the Texas State Railroad running through the end of fiscal year 2007.
Sept. 13, 2006 — Walt Dabney, the state parks division director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, spoke at a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce committee meeting to highlight the problems facing the state park system. Dabney said Texas has great parks, but “we’re not taking care of them very well.”
Sept. 25, 2006 — The Palestine City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Rusk that would create the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency.
The agency is capable of contracting with a potential private operator interested in running the railroad, if the state decides to give up its control of the financially-strapped state park.
The Rusk City Council also later approved that same agreement.
The agency, in essence, replaced the “task force.”
Oct. 21, 2006 — A “Save the Train” fundraiser takes place, featuring a concert, auctions and engine christening.
Nov. 27, 2006 — A letter from the Legislative Budget Board to Texas Parks and Wildlife states that a portion of additional revenues in the department’s budget could be used to fund the Texas State Railroad through August 2007. A legislator calls it a “significant breakthrough.”
Nov. 28, 2006 — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department made it official — the Texas State Railroad would continue to operate into the next year and not cease runs in December as was feared.
Parks and Wildlife explained in a statement that the railroad would continue operating through the end of fiscal year 2007, which ends in August.
In a statement released that day from Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Commission chairman Joseph Fitzsimons said, “We look forward to continuing to work with state and local leaders in implementing their plan to move the Texas State Railroad from state to local control.”
Dec. 4, 2006 — Members of the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency elected officers.
Jan. 24, 2007 — Members of the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency from Rusk and Palestine updated Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners on where they are in the process of finding an alternative option to continued state operation.
Jan. 26, 2007 — State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, called a town hall meeting to give citizens the opportunity to discuss the possible options available for saving the railroad.
Feb. 7 2007 — The Texas State Railroad is named to Preservation Texas’ list of the state’s most endangered historic places.
Feb. 22, 2007 — Texas State Railroad Operating Agency board members selected American Heritage Railways as the private operator to begin negotiating with about possibly running the Texas State Railroad, if the state were to approve a transfer.
March 8, 2007 — East Texas legislators filed companion bills in the Texas House and Senate that would create a Texas State Railroad Operating Authority — the entity that could possibly oversee and lease out operations of the Texas State Railroad if the state relinquished its control of the train.
Around or before April 6, 2007 — The Texas State Railroad Operating Agency finalized a contract with the American Heritage.
April 9, 2007 — The Palestine City Council voted unanimously to ratify the American Heritage contract.
April 10 - 11 — Supporters and opponents of the legislation to create the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority and authorize a transfer of the railroad to a private operator speak out during House and Senate committee hearings in Austin.
April 12, 2007 — Rusk City Council members unanimously voted to ratify the operating agreement between the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency and American Heritage Railways.
April 17, 2007 — Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce board members took a stand on the future of the Texas State Railroad by voting unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting creation of the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority.
April 26, 2007 —The bill that could make it possible for a private operator to run the Texas State Railroad passed out of the Texas Senate.
The fight to keep the train fully operational is ongoing. Currently, the train is set to become a static display in September — unless efforts by residents and legislators to keep the wheels turning prevail.
The following is a timeline of events that highlights some of the major steps along the way in the battle to save the Texas State Railroad.
Dec. 1, 2005 — New operational hours at selected Texas state parks went into effect. The changes were necessary because of a system-wide staffing cutback. Because of the reduced staff at the Texas State Railroad, the train was slated for runs to come only out of the Rusk depot — and none from Palestine.
Jan. 17, 2006 — In a packed public meeting at Palestine City Hall, residents gathered to voice their opinions and hear what led state officials to eliminate regular runs of the Texas State Railroad from Palestine. Walt Dabney, state parks division director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, made a presentation to the crowd about the condition of state parks, showing photos of deteriorating facilities and explaining the budget issues that led to the decision.
Jan. 26, 2006 — A delegation from Anderson and Cherokee counties and the cities of Palestine and Rusk traveled to Austin to meet with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in regard to the cuts to the Texas State Railroad budget.
Feb. 11, 2006 — Palestine leaders launched a petition drive in support of the financially-strapped state parks.
March 3, 2006 — In a letter from Texas Parks and Wildlife Executive Director Robert Cook to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speak of the House Tom Craddick, he writes that it is recommended that the Texas State Railroad, on Jan. 1, 2007, be transferred to another entity for operation and management.
“If this transfer does not take place by January 1, 2007, TPWD will begin operating the TSR as a static historical display at Rusk State Park and Palestine State Park,” Cook wrote.
March, 6, 2006 — State legislators announced in a press conference that operations at the Palestine depot of the Texas State Railroad would resume and a task force, later known as the Texas State Railroad Preservation Task Force, would be assembled to consider the possibility of another entity taking over the operations of the railroad.
March 27, 2006 — About three weeks after an announcement was made that money would be allocated to restore regular runs originating from Palestine, officials were still waiting for it to happen. The Palestine Mayor said people “are starting to get a little unsettled.”
March 29, 2006 — After weeks of uncertainty, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced a date when the rides out of the Texas State Railroad’s Palestine depot would resume. Officials said the train runs from Palestine would begin again no later than April 15.
April 8, 2006 — The Palestine depot of the Texas State Railroad was back in action.
Aug. 10, 2006 — Robert Cook, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, wrote a letter to Dewhurst and Craddick, requesting a supplemental appropriation from the Legislative Budget Board for $650,000.
Cook wrote that unless additional funding is forthcoming, the department would have to convert the railroad to a static display. He mentions, however, there are talks about possibly transferring the railroad to another entity.
“It was the consensus at the July 25, 2006, meeting that allowing the train to become a static display in January 2007 might derail any negotiations and efforts of the (Texas State Railroad Preservation Task Force) to find a new operator,” he writes to Dewhurst and Craddick. “… All parties agreed that the best approach would be to seek additional funding from the Legislature to allow the train to run through the end of FY 07, thus giving the full Legislature time to take action if it so desires.”
August 15, 2006 — Legislators announce that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has asked the Legislative Budget Board for a $650,000 supplemental appropriation to help keep the Texas State Railroad running through the end of fiscal year 2007.
Sept. 13, 2006 — Walt Dabney, the state parks division director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, spoke at a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce committee meeting to highlight the problems facing the state park system. Dabney said Texas has great parks, but “we’re not taking care of them very well.”
Sept. 25, 2006 — The Palestine City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Rusk that would create the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency.
The agency is capable of contracting with a potential private operator interested in running the railroad, if the state decides to give up its control of the financially-strapped state park.
The Rusk City Council also later approved that same agreement.
The agency, in essence, replaced the “task force.”
Oct. 21, 2006 — A “Save the Train” fundraiser takes place, featuring a concert, auctions and engine christening.
Nov. 27, 2006 — A letter from the Legislative Budget Board to Texas Parks and Wildlife states that a portion of additional revenues in the department’s budget could be used to fund the Texas State Railroad through August 2007. A legislator calls it a “significant breakthrough.”
Nov. 28, 2006 — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department made it official — the Texas State Railroad would continue to operate into the next year and not cease runs in December as was feared.
Parks and Wildlife explained in a statement that the railroad would continue operating through the end of fiscal year 2007, which ends in August.
In a statement released that day from Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Commission chairman Joseph Fitzsimons said, “We look forward to continuing to work with state and local leaders in implementing their plan to move the Texas State Railroad from state to local control.”
Dec. 4, 2006 — Members of the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency elected officers.
Jan. 24, 2007 — Members of the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency from Rusk and Palestine updated Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners on where they are in the process of finding an alternative option to continued state operation.
Jan. 26, 2007 — State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, called a town hall meeting to give citizens the opportunity to discuss the possible options available for saving the railroad.
Feb. 7 2007 — The Texas State Railroad is named to Preservation Texas’ list of the state’s most endangered historic places.
Feb. 22, 2007 — Texas State Railroad Operating Agency board members selected American Heritage Railways as the private operator to begin negotiating with about possibly running the Texas State Railroad, if the state were to approve a transfer.
March 8, 2007 — East Texas legislators filed companion bills in the Texas House and Senate that would create a Texas State Railroad Operating Authority — the entity that could possibly oversee and lease out operations of the Texas State Railroad if the state relinquished its control of the train.
Around or before April 6, 2007 — The Texas State Railroad Operating Agency finalized a contract with the American Heritage.
April 9, 2007 — The Palestine City Council voted unanimously to ratify the American Heritage contract.
April 10 - 11 — Supporters and opponents of the legislation to create the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority and authorize a transfer of the railroad to a private operator speak out during House and Senate committee hearings in Austin.
April 12, 2007 — Rusk City Council members unanimously voted to ratify the operating agreement between the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency and American Heritage Railways.
April 17, 2007 — Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce board members took a stand on the future of the Texas State Railroad by voting unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting creation of the Texas State Railroad Operating Authority.
April 26, 2007 —The bill that could make it possible for a private operator to run the Texas State Railroad passed out of the Texas Senate.
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