Texas State Railroad Sets Attendance Record

RUSK — The Texas State Railroad shattered ridership records last year, one of which had been standing for three decades. The railroad ended the year with annual ridership of 79,354. That was an increase of 13,345 riders or 16.8% over 2013. By comparison, the railroad’s best year ever for ridership occurred in 1984, when it was operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife. That year, 75,078 people rode the historic passenger railroad. The Polar Express™ Train Ride, by far the railroad’s largest and most popular annual special event, also set new ridership records. The seven-week event in 2014 drew 58,184 riders from 40 states and 4 foreign countries. By comparison, the 2013 event brought in 45,529 passengers from 31 states and 8 foreign countries. The increase of 12,655 riders netted the railroad 19.6% growth in that event in 2014 over 2013.

“This just goes to show, if you offer a quality product and quality customer service, people will come and ride the train,” said Janet Gregg, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the Texas State Railroad. “This railroad is the official railroad of Texas. It runs the only consistently operated steam train in the state and that alone makes it truly a Texas treasure. But when you add in the improved special event schedule that offers a wide variety of train rides for all ages and differing interests, then it becomes even more of a ‘must do’ tourist destination.”

In order to increase ridership more in 2015, the TSRR is adding more runs to its Polar Express schedule, and adding five new special events throughout the year. “Meal trains are hugely popular,” Gregg said. “Every brunch or dinner train we have hosted in the two and a half years I have worked here has sold out. People really love to eat a nice meal while they’re riding on a historic train through the scenic East Texas Forest Country. They come from all over when we host these meal trains, and they leave here feeling relaxed and peaceful because that’s what the experience is all about.”

Among the new offerings: a three-day Steampunk weekend event that offers four different train ride experiences including a Steampunk photo train, a Victorian High Tea train, a Victorian Dinner Train and a Victorian Brunch Train. In addition, there’s a Mother’s Day brunch train, a Father’s Day BBQ train, Wine in the Pines wine tasting train and Pints in the Pines beer tasting train. Last but not least, the railroad is adding a new class of service to its Piney Woods Steam Excursions from June through mid-November. The Streamliner Diner class of service will offer a five-course, hot catered meal (with three different menu choices each month) in a vintage dining car.