(The Tyler Morning Telegraph posed the following article on its website on May 27.)
JACKSONVILLE — The official railroad of Texas travels from Rusk to Palestine.
State Rep. Chuck Hopson, D-Jacksonville, announced Tuesday that the Texas legislature passed a resolution declaring the Texas State Railroad the official state railroad, according to a statement from the representative.
The railroad park had more than 130,000 visitors, largely from outside the area, bringing nearly $1.5 million to the local economy, he stated.
Construction of the line began in 1893. In 1972, the state legislature conveyed the line to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, deciding to restore the line as part of a historical park, he said.
“I can’t imagine East Texas, Palestine and Rusk without it,” he stated.
Trips depart from both cities at 11 a.m. during the summer months and run Thursday through Sunday, running once a day.