Texas State Railroad

With a pull of the whistle and a billow of fluffy white smoke, the antique steam engine leaves the Texas State Railroad depot in Palestine and your adventure begins.

The Texas State Railroad takes you on a relaxing tour of the Piney Woods of East Texas aboard a vintage train built at the turn of the 19th century.

You'll wind through dense green forests, over rolling fields, and above scenic rivers that make up the Piney Woods' beautiful scenery.

Along the way, you'll find yourself seeing, touching, and feeling the same things that people experienced more than a century ago.

A Railroad Built by Prisoners, Reborn as a Tourist Line

Established in 1881, the railroad was built by inmates of the nearby Rusk Penitentiary to bring materials and iron ore in and out of the prison's smelter operation, with construction of the line continuing into the early 1900s. Its use was eventually extended to include transport of goods and passengers. The tourist line opened in the mid-1970s, running sightseeing tours between Palestine and Rusk — the railroad celebrated its 50th anniversary as a tourist attraction in 2025, so double-check the exact founding year if precision matters for your purposes. The railroad is currently managed by Jaguar Transport Holdings.

Today, the Texas State Railroad is the official railroad of Texas offering a range of different rides that just about anyone would enjoy. The 25-mile route between Palestine and Rusk (50 miles round trip) crosses 24 bridges through the Piney Woods and has appeared in more than 30 movies, TV shows, and documentaries over the years.

The Piney Woods Train Excursion

The railroad's Piney Woods Train Excursion is a four-hour round-trip experience, including about an 80-minute layover at the Rusk depot, that takes you through the gorgeous East Texas countryside and offers the chance to see the railroad's vintage steam and diesel locomotives switch tracks and pass each other partway through the ride, near the midpoint stop at Maydelle. Order a box lunch in advance or feel free to bring your own. Half-way and one-way tickets are also available. The Piney Woods Train Excursion runs from March through mid-November.

Special Event Trains

In addition to the Piney Woods Train Excursion, several special event trains operate throughout the year, including holiday tours, themed trips like Oktoberfest and a 1920s-era "Speakeasy Special," brunch and dinner trains, and the railroad's popular Christmas adventure, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.

Getting There

Both the Palestine and Rusk depots are located on US Highway 84, approximately 2.5 hours from Dallas and three hours from Houston.

Come aboard for an unforgettable experience at the Texas State Railroad, a great option if you're looking to go on a train ride in Texas.