United States
Texas (TX)
Palestine
Things to Do in Palestine
Texas State Railroad
See all things to do

Texas State Railroad

See all things to do
See all things to do
Texas State Railroad
4
316 reviews
#1 of 44 things to do in Palestine
Scenic Railroads
Read more
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Write a review
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.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Nuna's
1
0.3 miCajun & Creole • Seafood
Chicken Express
19
2.1 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
Wingstop
2
2.1 mi
Asian city
21
2.2 mi$ • Chinese • Japanese • Asian
Taco Bell
3
2.2 miMexican
Whataburger
21
2.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Fast Food
El Toro Mexican Restaurant
223
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Vegetarian Friendly
Subway
2
2.3 miAmerican • Deli
Mazzio's Pizza
25
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Pizza
Papa Murphy's Pizza
3
2.3 mi
See all
Attractions
38 within 6 miles
Davey Dogwood Park
76
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Palestine Public Library
7
2.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Texas Jail House
25
Historic Sites
John H Reagan Monument
7
3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Palestine Texas Visitors Center
14
Visitor Centers
Palestine City Cemetery
6
Cemeteries
Anderson County Courthouse, Palestine Texas
10
Architectural Buildings
Railroad Heritage Center
21
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Reagan Park
8
Parks
Curious Museum
2
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
316 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
74
Average
34
Poor
30
Terrible
29
MICHAEL F
Belton, TX3 contributions
If you’ve never ridden a train, this is fun… Otherwise, don’t waste your time. (And $$)
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...
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jimksatx_13
San Antonio, TX14 contributions
Wonderful train great time
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.
VanEsq12
Dallas, TX2,375 contributions
A MUST DO Experience!
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.
Persistent
Saltillo, TX273 contributions
Family fun ride thru the trees
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.
Smblack95
11 contributions
True train experience
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.
TrainGall
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.
travelinggrandma2222
Chattanooga, TN32 contributions
Ride through the woods
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.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wanda P
Spring, TX72 contributions
Relaxing Saturday In Scenic East Texas
Jun 2021
My husband, daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Car 40. Our attendant, Kara, was amazing with great customer service as she fulfilled many roles yesterday.
My only suggestion would be to purchase your gift items before the train ride as the Rusk gift shop was closed and when we returned to the Palestine Depot the line in the gift shop was so long because there was only one cashier. So we decided not to purchase anything and wait for the next time because we ill definitely be back.

We were in the First Class Car and we were a party of 3. Note: the online information states that if you are an odd party size that you may want to purchase another ticket to ensure you sit together. We truly benefitted from pre ordering our lunch. The pre order potentially allowed for more lunch options and expediting the receipt of our meals.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wmcbryde21
Vidor, TX517 contributions
Been there, done that
Jun 2021 • Couples
We chose the open air seating for 2 reasons: It was cheaper and you didn’t have to associate with anyone you didn’t know if people were placed at your setting of 4. But be aware- not all seats are created equal. Some in the open air car have you face the wall and others have a wall that block your view. The air conditioned first class wasn’t necessarily better as the concession car was the break between them and open air and the upper level, royal treatment cars. People would walk back and forth through their aisles for snacks and drinks. They don’t tell you this, but preorder your lunch with your ticket. Those who preorder get to stand in the shade to pick it up while those who have to order in person must stand in the blazing sun. A family of four should look to drop some money on tickets, lunch and snacks. It’s one of those ‘did it, don’t have to do it again’ activities, at least for the regular 4 hour round trip ride.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wayne W
Katy, TX35 contributions
Super experience on historical Texas State Railroad ride
Jul 2020
My wife and I just had a super experience riding the Texas State Railroad this past Friday. We chose the Presidential car because the seats were limited. Everyone wore masks. Served champagne and an appetizer plate with meats, cheeses and grapes. Our guide Joyce was very knowledgeable about the railroad and Texas history. The round trip lasted 4 hours, one of which was a lunch by a beautiful lake in Rusk, Texas.

Every Governor of Texas rode this train and we also noted that President John F. Kennedy rode the train.

What an extraordinary experience!
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TrainGall
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. You truly got an expert excursion having Miss Joyce as your guide. We will share your kind words with her.
Written August 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kevin d
Katy, TX59 contributions
Good day trip for a family
Sep 2021 • Family
Very nice trip good a ticket in 1st class in the Dome train 🚂. The seats were comfortable but not much leg room especially for a family of 4. The ride was smooth and it was nice going through the woods istings about the history of the railroad and different music. Now my only complaint is the preorder food was horrible. Well at least the burger was. Other than that it was a great day trip and would definitely recommend it to anyone. One little side note is that the adult beverages on the train was definitely watered down but what would you expect. It's more about the experience.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 314
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Texas State Railroad (Palestine) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Texas State Railroad
Texas State Railroad is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM