Palestine, Texas- The Texas State Railroad has received a commitment from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to ride its upcoming Legislative Train. This special event will occur on Saturday, September 12.
The Governor, Lt. Governor, Texas Attorney General, Secretary of State, every state Senator, every state Representative, the heads of each state agency and select commissioners have all been invited to join local city and county officials for a private family day on the Official Railroad of Texas.
The management teams from the Texas State Railroad and Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, TSRR’s parent company, will also be on hand for the event along with members of the Texas State Railroad Authority.
“This is truly an honor for the Governor to come visit the railroad,” said Steven Butler, General Manager of the Texas State Railroad. “This is the first time in a long time that Texas has had a new Governor and we know he has many requests to attend events all across the state. We are so pleased that he chose to attend this event.”
The day will begin at 10:30am with a brief welcome ceremony at the Palestine Depot. Immediately afterward the traditional Governor’s Photo will be taken. Every Texas Governor since the Texas State Railroad opened as a historical passenger train on July 4, 1976, has visited the railroad in their first term of office and had their picture taken. Much of that history adorns the walls of the railroad’s two depots.
The train ride will depart at 11am for the hour and a half trip to the Rusk Depot. At the Rusk Depot a catered BBQ lunch will be served in an air conditioned tent.
After lunch, guests have the option of riding the train back to Palestine or returning to their cars by bus. There will also be children’s activities at both depots to keep the little ones entertained while not riding the train.
“The purpose for the event is simple,” Butler said. “It is to create greater awareness of this true Texas treasure, and for each attendee to make a family memory that will last a lifetime.”
About Iowa Pacific Holdings
Iowa Pacific Passenger Rails is a family of freight and passenger railroads across the United States that offers scenic excursions and unique rail experiences to passengers as well as a variety of freight services. With operations in Hood River, OR (Mount Hood Railroad), Alamosa, CO (Rio Grande Scenic Railroad), Palestine & Rusk, Texas (The Texas State Railroad) and Saratoga Springs, NY (Saratoga & North Creek Railway), Iowa Pacific has one of the largest fleets of classic American rail cars in the country. iowapacific.com.