Longview Celebrates 40 Years of Amtrak Texas Eagle

LONGVIEW (AP) — Some East Texas residents who favor riding the rails have celebrated 40 years of Amtrak Texas Eagle service to their community. Ceremonies were held Friday in Longview to note the first day of Texas Eagle service on March 14, 1974. The Longview News-Journal reports work continues to renovate the historic T&P depot, which stands for Texas and Pacific Railroad. The upgraded depot is expected to be ready for National Train Day on May 10.

Griff Hubbard, revenue manager for the Amtrak Texas Eagle, says he believes higher speed passenger rail service will be Longview’s future mobility. Robert Bruce, who attended the celebration with his wife, said access to the passenger train was a driving factor when he decided to move to Longview in 1981.