Posted 11:43 pm Thursday, December 20, 2007
Texas State Railroad Plans Events
By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer
The Texas State Railroad has several events in store for passengers as 2007 ends and 2008 begins.
More than 18,000 tickets have already been sold for “The Polar Express,” which continues through Dec. 23.
“We’re excited about how well The Polar Express is going,” Lori Kastrop, marketing manager for the Texas State Railroad, said. “It’s definitely something we’re going to do every year.”
To accommodate the numbers of people wanting to travel on “The Polar Express,” which includes hot chocolate, treats and Santa, two after-Christmas excursions were added for Dec. 28 and 29.
On Dec. 28, the train will depart at 5:10 p.m. If that run fills up, then the 6:45 p.m. excursion will be made available, and the same with the 8:15 p.m. excursion.
For more information, visit www.polarexpressride.com. Ms. Kastrop said that possibly within the next months, the railroad may begin taking reservations for “The Polar Express” train rides in 2008.
Also for the remaining Saturdays in December, the railroad is running holiday train excursions from the Palestine depot to Maydelle. Ticket prices are the same as regular train excursions ($34 for adults and $17 for children ages 3-11) but include a chance to see the railroad use the Maydelle Turntable as well as lunch.
Starting in January, the railroad will offer scenic excursions from Palestine and Rusk on Fridays and Saturdays. The excursions will depart at 11 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. There is an hour-and-a-half lunch layover at the opposite train depot. Box lunches can be purchased when tickets are reserved.
Dates for the scenic excursions include Jan. 4-5; 11-12; 18-19; 25-26; Feb. 1-2; 8-9; 15-16; 22-23; 29 and March 1.
PHOTO EXCURSION
Spots are still available for the Texas State Railroad’s “Special Photo Excursion” Jan. 20. The all-day event will include a tour of the Rusk and Palestine maintenance shops, including a chance to snap photos of the historic Engine 610 and other train components; a chance to get off the train at certain locations to capture images of the steam train; a view of the steam engine on the Maydelle Turntable; and a continental breakfast and boxed lunch.
The event is limited to 120 people and will depart from the Rusk depot at 8 a.m. Tickets are $89 plus tax.
“Spend the day here taking pictures, enjoying a ride and learning about the history of the railroad,” Ms. Kastrop said.
Ms. Kastrop said the railroad will begin taking reservations Saturday for “The Little Engine That Could,” which will begin in March.
Call 1-888-987-2461 for reservations for any of the events.
Staff Writer
The Texas State Railroad has several events in store for passengers as 2007 ends and 2008 begins.
More than 18,000 tickets have already been sold for “The Polar Express,” which continues through Dec. 23.
“We’re excited about how well The Polar Express is going,” Lori Kastrop, marketing manager for the Texas State Railroad, said. “It’s definitely something we’re going to do every year.”
To accommodate the numbers of people wanting to travel on “The Polar Express,” which includes hot chocolate, treats and Santa, two after-Christmas excursions were added for Dec. 28 and 29.
On Dec. 28, the train will depart at 5:10 p.m. If that run fills up, then the 6:45 p.m. excursion will be made available, and the same with the 8:15 p.m. excursion.
For more information, visit www.polarexpressride.com. Ms. Kastrop said that possibly within the next months, the railroad may begin taking reservations for “The Polar Express” train rides in 2008.
Also for the remaining Saturdays in December, the railroad is running holiday train excursions from the Palestine depot to Maydelle. Ticket prices are the same as regular train excursions ($34 for adults and $17 for children ages 3-11) but include a chance to see the railroad use the Maydelle Turntable as well as lunch.
Starting in January, the railroad will offer scenic excursions from Palestine and Rusk on Fridays and Saturdays. The excursions will depart at 11 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. There is an hour-and-a-half lunch layover at the opposite train depot. Box lunches can be purchased when tickets are reserved.
Dates for the scenic excursions include Jan. 4-5; 11-12; 18-19; 25-26; Feb. 1-2; 8-9; 15-16; 22-23; 29 and March 1.
PHOTO EXCURSION
Spots are still available for the Texas State Railroad’s “Special Photo Excursion” Jan. 20. The all-day event will include a tour of the Rusk and Palestine maintenance shops, including a chance to snap photos of the historic Engine 610 and other train components; a chance to get off the train at certain locations to capture images of the steam train; a view of the steam engine on the Maydelle Turntable; and a continental breakfast and boxed lunch.
The event is limited to 120 people and will depart from the Rusk depot at 8 a.m. Tickets are $89 plus tax.
“Spend the day here taking pictures, enjoying a ride and learning about the history of the railroad,” Ms. Kastrop said.
Ms. Kastrop said the railroad will begin taking reservations Saturday for “The Little Engine That Could,” which will begin in March.
Call 1-888-987-2461 for reservations for any of the events.
