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State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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Nearby Parks:
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
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| State Park Overview: |
 | The Texas State Railroad (TSRR) dates back to an 1881 purchase of land dedicated to building a spur track. The purpose of the track was to connect the state owned prison iron smelting facilities, then under construction, with the Kansas and Gulf Shortline railroad. The K&G was being built from Tyler to Rusk at the same time. This connection would provide the prison iron foundry with rail service to bring in raw materials and ship products out. Increased need for rail service soon led the state to build its' own railroad that eventually extended from Rusk to Palestine, providing local communities with freight and passenger service. Today, the historic state railroad is still maintained as a fully self-contained railroad system. Its train crews maintain and operate four steam engines, four antique diesel locomotives and a complete steam-engine restoration shop, while its track crew maintains over 25 miles of track and 24 bridges.
Passengers may board the historic trains at either Rusk or Palestine. Both ends of the line have Victorian-style train stations. The trip takes 1 and a half hours to reach the opposite station. Once visitors have arrived, they have 1 and a half hours to enjoy lunch, browse through the depot's train store or take a short nature hike. Passengers then re-board for the return trip home. The State Park's 50-mile round-trip steam-engine excursions take four and a half hours.
The Texas State Railroad is known as one of the nation's largest and most unique steam-train operations. The TSRR is the only steam railroad that runs two steam trains simultaneously each day of operation. The eastbound and westbound trains meet twice daily at the mid-point of the run. This gives rail enthusiasts a rare chance to see two historic steam engines switch and pass.
State Park camping and picnicking facilities are adjacent to both depots. Rusk State Park offers shaded picnic tables, a scenic 15-acre lake, group picnic pavilions and full-hookup camping. Palestine State Park has shaded picnic tables and water-only camping sites. |
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List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - The home page for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. TPW Mission: To manage and conserve the ... fax or phone Lost Maples Foliage Report Texas State Park GuideWeb Version Remember Texas ... | | Texas State Park Tourist Information. - Texas State Parks Contact information, address, phone number's, service and conveniences. ENTER TEXAS STATE PARKS www.TexasExplorer.com Photography Copyright George L. Hosek 2003 For Information Call ... | | Big Bend Ranch State Park - ... 287,000 (roughly 450 square miles), an enormous amount of land, doubling the size of the Texas State Park system. Access to the public was slow at first, but now there are many trails to explore ... | | Dobsonian Telescope Obsession - ... State Park near Quanah, Texas. These public astronomy programs are held in cooperation with the Texas State Park system and feature half a dozen Obsession telescopes ranging in aperture from 15 to ... | | STORMFAX? Fall Foliage Guide - Call these toll-free, state/regional hotlines for the latest updates on Autumn's brilliant colors. ... Fall Color Hotline 1-800-697-4200 TEXAS State Park Hotline 1-800-792-1112 WASHINGTON State Foliage ... |
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