Schedule & Fares

Calendar Fares Discounts First Class Car Info

NEW ONLINE BOOKING!

We are now booking online live! Click below on the "Book Now" button to use our new online reservation system! You can book your trip to TSRR 24/7!! Don't forget to book your lunch! Please call our reservation office if you experience any problems while booking your tickets online.

Train Excursions

Celebrate the spirit of Texas with a train ride at the historic Texas State Railroad. Enjoy a historic ride on several different excursions. We offer steam engine excursions, vintage diesel excursions, special trips to our Jarvis Wye a chance to experience our 1890's Turntable in Maydelle, Texas, Special events, and more!

Palestine & Rusk Excursions

Roundtrip excursions with the steam or diesel engines depart either the Rusk or Palestine depots at 11 am with return at 3:30 pm. Each trip takes 1 ½ hours each way with a 1 ½ hour lunch layover at the opposite train depot for a total 4 ½ hour experience. Full roundtrip excursions depart on most Fridays & Saturdays. Check the calendar for specific dates.

Jarvis Wye Special

This diesel excursion is held on Thursdays in May, July, September, & November* during 2009. Enjoy a 1 hour roundtrip excursion from the Palestine Depot to the Jarvis Wye. Lunch is included in the ticket price. During May, July & September, enjoy The Little Engine That Could™ Appearances. During the appearances, The Little Engine That Could™ is on the train consist and the original story by Watty Piper is read during the ride. This excursion is great for all ages and perfect for school groups and families.

*November 5 & 12 only - During these dates, the diesel engine is wyed for the return trip to Palestine.

Maydelle Turntable Special

This diesel excursion is held on Fridays in April 2009 and Thursdays in April, June, August, & October*. Enjoy a 1 ½ hour roundtrip excursion from the Rusk Depot to the Maydelle Turntable. This 1890s turntable is a trip you will not forget! Experience the diesel engine as it turns on this historic section of railroad track for the return trip to Rusk.

Lunch is included in the ticket price.

*October 1, 8, & 29 only.

Sunday Family BBQ Excursions

On Sundays enjoy a great Texas BBQ lunch and live music with your family and friends and then take a short ride on a historic steam engine! Lunch will be served at 12:30pm - 1:15pm and there will be live music to enjoy! After lunch, you will board the train and take a 1 hour roundtrip excursion.

When departing from the Palestine Depot you will experience a trip to the Jarvis Wye. When the train arrives to the wye the steam engine will uncouple from the train and make its way around the portion of the track called the wye. It will then recouple to the opposite side of the train for the return trip to Palestine.

When departing from the Rusk Depot, you will experience a trip to the Maydelle Turntable. On this special trip you will experience the steam engine uncouple from the train in Maydelle and watch as the engine turns around on our 1890s turntable. What is a turntable? It is a portion of railroad track that turns the engine completely around. Our turntable is powered by air from the engine. It is a sight to see!

Ticket prices include BBQ lunch, live musical entertainment and a roundtrip steam engine excursion.

Check calendar for dates.

Holiday Excursions

Take a diesel train excursion on Memorial Day (May 25) and Labor Day (September 7) from the Palestine Depot to the Maydelle Turntable. Experience the diesel engine as it turns on this historic section of railroad track for the return trip to Palestine. These excursions depart at 11:00 am and return at 1:30 pm. Lunch is included in the ticket price.

Fall Fest Excursions

On October 16, 17, 23 & 24, we have special roundtrip steam excursions scheduled out of our Palestine Depot. These excursions depart at 11:00 am and return at 1:30pm. Lunch is included in the ticket price.

Special Events

Special events, dinner trains, and photo excursions are held throughout the year. We have Day Out With Thomas™, The Polar Express™ Train Ride, The Lone Ranger® Train Ride, The Little Engine That Could™ Rail Tour, Peanuts™ - The Valentine Express, Peanuts™ - The Easter Beagle Express, Peanuts™ - The Pumpkin Patch Express, & RailFest.

You may visit our Special Events Page for detailed information on upcoming events.

Calendar of Events

Please note: schedule, price, engines and equipment are subject to change without notice.

Mouse over a date on the calendar below to see what events are planned for this month. Or select a date and see what exciting Texas State Railroad events are planned for the near future.

Fares

Fares are for regular excursions departing from either Palestine or Rusk Depots.

Children 2 & under ride free.

DIESEL ENGINE FARES
	Adult 12 & over	Child 3-11
Coach or Open Air Seating	$36.50	$19.00
Climate Controlled**	$39.50	$21.00
STEAM ENGINE FARES
	Adult	Child
Coach or Open Air Seating	$40.50	$23.00
Climate Controlled**	$43.50	$25.00
FEES
Taxes	Sales tax is added on to the final total.
Change Fee	$6 per ticket is charged to change the date of your reservation. Please note that Special Event ticket sales are final & date changes are not permitted.
Cancellation Fee	$6 per ticket is charged to cancel 48 hours in advance. Please note that Special Event ticket sales are final and tickets are non-refundable.

**Climate controlled seating is air conditioned or heated depending on the current temperature. Please note that windows in the climate controlled cars must remain closed.

Box Lunch

Save money by pre-ordering!

Pre-order your box lunches when you reserve your train tickets to avoid the lines when you arrive at the opposite depot for lunch. Our fresh sandwiches are made daily on a delicious bread with several choices of meat and cheeses.

Your pre-ordered lunches will be available for pick up at a designated area once you arrive for lunch. Additional items are available for purchase at the concession area including hot dogs, nachos, Frito pies, sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, sodas and more.

Type	Sandwich choice	Included in sack lunch	Cost
Adult sandwich	Roast beef & swiss Ham & cheddar Turkey & cheddar	Chips, pickle, cookie and a bottle of water	$8
Child sandwich on white bread	Ham & cheddar Turkey & cheddar	Chips, fruit roll-up and a bottle of water	$5.50
Child	Peanut butter & jelly	Chips, fruit roll-up and a bottle of water	$5

First Class Car Information

Car 1511

First Class Adult Only Car

Adults

21 & over

$67.00

*Due to the high demand of our steam engine, we have temporarily exchanged the 1511 with a larger capacity coach car until further notice. Restorations to the 1511 will be made during this time*

Enjoy a ride in our First-Class Car 1511. This first-class car is also known as The Governor's Car because every Texas Governor since 1976 has ridden in this car after they were elected to office.

Enjoy a train ride while sitting at tables where you will receive personal service and attention. You will be served a variety of gourmet cheese and crackers, delicious brownies, variety of nuts, and your choice of tea, coffee, or water. You may also bring your favorite bottle of wine to enjoy during the ride. One bottle per couple is permitted.

Tables are for set up for 2 and 4 individuals. This is a climate controlled car.

This car may also be chartered for your group of friends, family or office. It is a perfect car to hold Birthday parties and office parties. There are no age requirements when this car is chartered. Call our reservation office to book Car 1511 for your next event.

MKT Caboose Charter

$350

Take a ride in our MKT caboose! This private car is a chartered car. Our caboose can hold up to 8 people. Charter it for just one person or for up to 8 individuals. It is an experience you do not want to miss!

The cupola can seat 1 individual on either side of the caboose where you get an excellent view!

*Please note that the Caboose does not have A/C.

$100 upgrade

Upgrade comes with food and beverages, including gourmet cheese and crackers, fruit tray, delicious chocolate confections and tea, water bottles, and coffee.

Cab Ride

$225

Learn first-hand what it is like to take a ride in any of our engines. It is an amazing experience to be right there with the engineers. You may ride in our steam or diesel engines depending on the date. Check our calendar for specific rides.

Cab riders must be 18 years or older. You will receive goggles, gloves, and ear plugs for your one-way journey. On the return trip you may sit with your friends or family in our passenger cars.

Want to buy a Cab Ride as a gift for someone? Purchase a Cab Ride gift voucher from one of our reservationist. It is perfect gift for train enthusiasts!

Discounts

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