Texas State Railroad
Texas State Railroad
4
About
An essential part of the Texas State Railroad journey is spending time at the Rusk and Palestine depot complexes prior to departure, at the turn-around and after the ride. Built during the middle of the last century, these edifices are every bit a part of the rail experience as the ride itself. Peppering the depot landscape are eye-catching storyboards, overflowing with details about the Texas State Railroad encounter, surrounding communities, pioneer spirit and railroad lore which set the stage for a memorable rail adventure. Each depot complex has its own identity and requires time spent to capture the essence of why this Piney Woods Route has been designated the Official Railroad of Texas.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
325 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
75
Average
36
Poor
30
Terrible
31
Charlotte P
17 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
We booked the once a month steam train excursion and it is worth it. If you do not have children book the "adults only" car. On the trip to the Rusk Depot you have a private balcony. On the trip back you are able to stand on the private balcony and watch and feel the steam engine hook up.
Written May 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MICHAEL F
Belton, TX21 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
If you’ve never been on a train before, this is a great ride.
The view outside the window is “the green wall“ of trees and weeds for the most part.
If you are less than a party of four you’ll be seated with someone else on the ride.
We were blessed to have a couple that was interesting to talk to.
They seem to have a running commentary over the train car speakers, but with the sound of everything else it was impossible to hear.
There may have been assistance for hearing impaired, but no one mentioned it and there were no signs indicating that something like that was available.
If you want to “do the train” and skip the expensive and some what “un-picturesque” and rather boring ride then do this:
Go to the Palestine train station about an hour (or more) before the scheduled departure …and take all the pictures you want with the train, with the engineer, and with the steam engine in the background.
Then get in your car and drive down to Rusk Station which is the turn around and end of the line.
Rusk has nice little station there, with some interesting historical displays.
(Did you know the steel for the Capital Dome (Austin) was mined and forged in Rusk penitentiary ?)
The train people will set up a food car, at the station and you can buy your snack, without having to pre-order. (No one appeared th check for train tickets)
Eat your lunch there by the lake with the other people on the train, chat with them and see what they think.
When the train leaves you can get some good videos.
Then get back in your car and drive off and finish the rest of your day sightseeing, and driving on your way...
The view outside the window is “the green wall“ of trees and weeds for the most part.
If you are less than a party of four you’ll be seated with someone else on the ride.
We were blessed to have a couple that was interesting to talk to.
They seem to have a running commentary over the train car speakers, but with the sound of everything else it was impossible to hear.
There may have been assistance for hearing impaired, but no one mentioned it and there were no signs indicating that something like that was available.
If you want to “do the train” and skip the expensive and some what “un-picturesque” and rather boring ride then do this:
Go to the Palestine train station about an hour (or more) before the scheduled departure …and take all the pictures you want with the train, with the engineer, and with the steam engine in the background.
Then get in your car and drive down to Rusk Station which is the turn around and end of the line.
Rusk has nice little station there, with some interesting historical displays.
(Did you know the steel for the Capital Dome (Austin) was mined and forged in Rusk penitentiary ?)
The train people will set up a food car, at the station and you can buy your snack, without having to pre-order. (No one appeared th check for train tickets)
Eat your lunch there by the lake with the other people on the train, chat with them and see what they think.
When the train leaves you can get some good videos.
Then get back in your car and drive off and finish the rest of your day sightseeing, and driving on your way...
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimksatx_13
San Antonio, TX12 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Our trip started on a Friday morning weather was beautiful the facility and parking were great we boarded the train at 10:40. We bought tickets in the presidential car or they had comfortable seating snacks and drinks as part of the package price. The trip was wonderful the scenery was pretty we pre-ordered our lunch. Let's save some time would do it again. We stayed at the local Holiday inn Express that was great too.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VanEsq12
Dallas, TX4,224 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
This experience is a hidden gem. I have lived in Texas for almost forty years and never knew this existed! This is a steam train from the 1800sthat takes you round-trip from Palestine, Texas to Fisk, Texas. This takes about four hours. Part of that time is spent at Fisk walking around a park/picnic area in Fisk. Every car offers a different experience. The higher end cars like the "Presidential" offers a private porter, adult (and non-adult) beverages, couches, tables and chairs, a light lunch and beautiful, wide windows, although the car itself is climate controlled. The further back on the train you go, the cheaper the ticket, the fewer the amenities, and the harder the seats. (The last car has wooden benches, no A/C, no snacks or porter service). Trust me. Don't go cheap! You want the "full fare" experience! HINT: Ask if JOYCE is on duty. She is the veteran porter and tour guide. AMAZING!!
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
khristystrange
Gore, OK463 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We enjoyed our train ride in the caboose. It can be pricey but worth renting the entire caboose if you have 8 or less people. My granddaughter was able to move around and not bother other rider since it was just my family. Views are pretty. Lane, our attendant was great!
Written June 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Persistent
Saltillo, TX257 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Was a good daytrip the train was nice the weather worked with us cool temps partly cloudywith nice breeze. I would suggest a seat cushion if your on the open air cars as we were wooden benches became a lil uncomfortable by the end of both to rusk and back. Also the signage at both stations leave much to be desired. Entering the Palestine station gift shop is on left ticket check in is on right the sign makes it unclear go right then split into 2 lines left and right. At the Rusk station the small signs are posted on the train car where food is ordered and and picked up which is to far away to read unless your the first ones off train should be on a post closer to train informing you left line is to order food right line is the pre ordered meals that said both lines twist and combine into a confusing mess with both lines entering traincar at ends exiting back in middle for condiments then crossing thru the pre order line to exit to picnic tables tables which are nice but trashcans are to few for the amount of people an trash as is the restroom situation to few for the amount of people and lack on the cleanliness side. All that said in my run on sentences lol it was a nice ride.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smblack95
11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Fun unique East Texas experience. We went during spring break so it wasn’t very crowded. We were told during Christmas time, it’s packed. It’s a 4 hour experience and stops halfway in Rusk for a picnic lunch. We stayed in the First Class section. The seating in that section is 4 to a table so important to be aware of that. You will be seated with people you don’t know if your party is less than 4 which could be fun maybe if you want to meet new people. This experience in our opinion is really about riding a train rather than the view. It goes through the Piney Woods so lots of trees and some ponds. There is a narrative played at the beginning which is a little hard to hear. Included were serve yourself snacks (gummy bears, trail mix, dried fruit) and water. There was a bar menu and concessions for an extra fee. Highly recommend preordering your lunch for Rusk...they do sell lunch there but saves you time in line to buy ahead. Fun for our kids to walk through the different parts of the train. Overall, would totally recommend this.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your recommendation.
Written March 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelbuds50
Texas86 contributions
Mar 2023
We took the family to see the blossoms but there were more in town than on the ride. The trees need work for a lot were down from a storm I'm guessing. The ride was enjoyable enough but it was so loud (guest) that you could not hear or understand the history that was being transmitted on the speakers. It was so cold that day that the lunch had no chance of staying warm, butter was frozen. It was a experience for the family however if we that the ride again we will not book another special ride again for it was in no way worth that kind of money.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Armin W
72 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
A long awaited opportunity to ride the train from Palestine to Rusk turned out to be disappointing. The train cars offered a variety of options and were not bad. Original equipment on display within the Cafe Car was interesting. The staff was unfortunately mediocre as was the food provided and offered. She didn't really provide much information and the only taped message was inaudible on the return from Rusk. I am glad we did it but would only give it a "C" .
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelinggrandma2222
Chattanooga, TN39 contributions
Aug 2021
We called and reserved tickets in advance. We were not told the steam engine isn't used for all the trips anymore and we probably wouldn't have went if we knew we weren't going to be able to go on the steam engine. We found that out after we got there.
We rode in first class. $54 before taxes etc.
The server had an attitude. We didn't buy anything just took our complimentary small soda and snack. She seemed to be put out by that?
There was a narrative throughout the trip but although there was a speaker right above us it wasn't loud enough to hear. We mentioned it to the server but I understand she was too busy to do anything about it.
I thought it was boring. We just rode through the woods and saw some swamps? Not much else to see.
We also didn't order lunch in Rusk. We assumed there would be places to walk around for our hour there. Then we would eat at a restaurant back in Palestine. There was no where to walk or nothing to do but sit at a picnic table until time to get back on the train. There was a lake but it was hot so we sat in the shade. The gift shop had very little selection.
I think it was a lot of money for a short train ride through the woods. They said 1 1/2 hrs each way. Not sure how long the ride there was but we were there over an hour. They said the ride back was 1 hr 10 min.
We rode in first class. $54 before taxes etc.
The server had an attitude. We didn't buy anything just took our complimentary small soda and snack. She seemed to be put out by that?
There was a narrative throughout the trip but although there was a speaker right above us it wasn't loud enough to hear. We mentioned it to the server but I understand she was too busy to do anything about it.
I thought it was boring. We just rode through the woods and saw some swamps? Not much else to see.
We also didn't order lunch in Rusk. We assumed there would be places to walk around for our hour there. Then we would eat at a restaurant back in Palestine. There was no where to walk or nothing to do but sit at a picnic table until time to get back on the train. There was a lake but it was hot so we sat in the shade. The gift shop had very little selection.
I think it was a lot of money for a short train ride through the woods. They said 1 1/2 hrs each way. Not sure how long the ride there was but we were there over an hour. They said the ride back was 1 hr 10 min.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the approximate length of the train ride both ways? We want to go as a family but not sure what our best option is for a family friendly ride. Any additional info anytime can share is great!
Do you just sit there and ride the train? Do they give a talk about the history? Do they serve a meal? Which are the best options?
Written May 30, 2021
We do not allow pets of any kind on the train. Thank you for your inquiry.
Written March 4, 2020
Want to know if you are open on 2-15 and what time do you leave Palestine
Written January 27, 2020
Thank you for your question. The first train of 2020 for Texas State Railroad will be on February 28. Most trains will depart at 11:00 a.m. from the Palestine train depot. Please visit the website for more details.
Written February 3, 2020
Excursion43301767208
Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Mexico
CĂłmo puedo reservar si estoy en Guadalajara
Written October 23, 2019
You can go online at our website and make your reservation but unfortunately I cannot type it here.
texas state railroad
Written October 31, 2019
Do you plan to upgrade the experience anytime soon? It is said that everything is bigger and better in Texas and after reading reviews, I think improvements can be made. No offense intended.
Written February 12, 2019
Thank you for your question. We are always striving to improve a customer's experience at Texas State Railroad. Maintenance and equipment upgrades are ongoing as well as property improvements. In the past year we added a new sound system on board the train and in the Rusk movie theater, higher end amenities for passengers and a brand new first class car. The food service, which was basically nonexistent when we took over this train ride in 2017 has been very well-received. We will continue to make changes and listen to what our customers want in 2019. If you have any suggestions you would like to share with us, we welcome it.
Written February 13, 2019
Which cart are you in in this photo? I understand they have first class and presidential? I like this seating option.
Written November 12, 2018
We apologize as your photo did not come through. Please visit our website page describing our seating options.
texasstaterailroad - journey - aboard-the-train
Written November 13, 2018
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