I Want To Ride One!

Danny Bear Claw · May 01, 2012, 12:01:45 PM

After a recent viewing of a couple of favorite horse operas, (The Long Riders and Wild Bill), both of which show scenes of old steam engine type trains, I was reminded that for a long time I've always wanted to ride on one of these trains. I'm pretty sure that there are a couple of places here in Texas where one can actually ride trains pulled by old steam engines. I think there's supposed to be one near San Antone and one near Fredricksburg.

Any native Texans out there know if this is true or not? Guess I could try a Google search.

Hedley Lamarr · May 01, 2012, 12:21:24 PM

Appears to be three:
http://www.austinsteamtrain.org/
http://www.texasstaterr.com/
https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/ThingsToDo/GrapevineVintageRailroad/tabid/267/Default.aspx

GunClick Rick · May 01, 2012, 12:24:30 PM

My duaghter grew up on this one,now my grand duaghter is ridin it and it is FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.ymsprr.com/

GunClick Rick · May 01, 2012, 12:29:28 PM

http://www.ymsprr.com/gallery.html

Don Nix · May 01, 2012, 02:29:08 PM

Jefferson Tx has one,My grandaughter and I rode it Christmas

bowiemaker · May 01, 2012, 03:01:24 PM

I love riding the old steam trains. Years ago the Kentucky Railway Museum offered pretty frequent excursions and I went on several trips. But, insurance and regulations pretty much shut them down.

The are several stem trains still running excursions, mostly in the west. There is one that goes up into the Rockies from Colorado that I would love to do.

Danny Bear Claw · May 01, 2012, 04:14:20 PM

The one in Grapevine is pretty close to me. I live just northeast of Dallas. Grapevine is about a 40 minute drive for me. Thanks for the links Pards. I found them in the Google search too. Sounds like a really fun day trip.

GunClick Rick · May 01, 2012, 04:31:12 PM

Hey Danny,does Fort Worth ever cross your mind?

TOOT TOOT===========train==========

Danny Bear Claw · May 01, 2012, 05:12:27 PM

No Rick... but some of my Ex's live in Texas!

GunClick Rick · May 01, 2012, 05:17:47 PM

TOUCHE~~

WaddWatsonEllis · May 01, 2012, 06:45:25 PM

Rick,

Not Texas, but I rode the Skunk Train ... and they still drop off and pick up hikers along the way ....

http://www.skunktrain.com/

TTFN,

Major 2 · May 01, 2012, 08:15:21 PM

Palestine, Tx to Rusk Tx on the Texas Railroad & Museum is about 25-30 miles as I remember.
Not sure how far it is from you but it's worth the Day

GunClick Rick · May 01, 2012, 08:41:27 PM

Wad that looks like one i need to go ride

WaddWatsonEllis · May 02, 2012, 12:33:51 AM

Rick.

Check to see what train they have running ... when the Baldwin (steam engine) is in for repairs, they use an old Diesel ... fun, but not like the fun of listening to those old steam engines labor up the coastal range ... and it is the ultimate way to go to Fort Bragg ..... just jet up I-5 to Willits and then shazam! you have a fun train ride into Fort Bragg ...

Just be sure that you have a safe place to leave your car for a couple of days ... I would not leave it at the station ... might as well put signs on it saying "rob or deface me" ...

TTFN,

GunClick Rick · May 02, 2012, 01:34:29 AM

I'll park at your place and we will go together,whattaya think about that

Wolfgang · May 02, 2012, 07:11:17 AM

Ridin' steam trains in FUN .....

I bin doin' it since back when that is the way the trains wuz. Back in the '50s steam pulled the passenger train from Chicago to Wheeling W. Va. each summer when we went to visit the grandparents.

My favorite steam train is . . . ttp://www.durangotrain.com/

This is one I visit each year when I'm up north . . http://www.railtown1897.org/railtown/doc.asp?id=304

TwoWalks Baldridge · May 02, 2012, 09:01:19 AM

Quote from: Wolfgang on May 02, 2012, 07:11:17 AM
Ridin' steam trains in FUN .....

This is one I visit each year when I'm up north . . http://www.railtown1897.org/railtown/doc.asp?id=304

I hear the whistle blow each day this train runs ... the depot is 2 miles from my house.

Curley Cole · May 02, 2012, 03:10:42 PM

I have ridden the Grand Canyon RR and the Durando to Silverton and both were a hoot.

on the trip to Silverton, they had to keep stopping due to a brake problem, and they were really apologitic, and all I could say...was hey I am on a steam train....what was the problem...

let us know of any of your trips

curley
here is a pix I took on the DSRR

bowiemaker · May 02, 2012, 03:47:06 PM

I got to ride this one across High Bridge in Kentucky. High bridge was built in 1877 and it was the tallest bridge above a navigable waterway in North America and the tallest railroad bridge in the world until the early 20th century. It was designed by Charles Shaler Smith and was the first cantilever bridge in the United States. In 1879 President Hayes and Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman attended the dedication.

This was taken right in front of my house.

Red Cent · May 02, 2012, 04:58:06 PM

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in the mountains of eastern West Virginia uses "Shay" steam engines to pull a train from the station at Cass (approx. 2420' elevation) to Bald Knob, third highest mountain in West Virignia and the third highest mountain of the Alleghenies (4842'). The info calls it the second highest but GPS readings in 2001 from satellites confirmed the highest point on the Cheat River Range was six feet higher. Halfway up, you stop for lunch t Whittaker Station, an old logging camp.

http://www.wvstateparks.com/Brochures/CassScenicRailroadSPbrochure.pdf

This is where you start, right beside the Greenbrier River. Small mouth fishing.

The top. The observtion tower on Bald Knob. Four of us had steaks and some Kendall-Jackson around 4:00 AM on one of the picnic tables. Built fire aand had a memorable time. No the railrod was not running.

Get ready!! Get.....annual three engine race.