Texas State Railroad

The Texas State Railroad State Park is a historic 25-mile railroad between Rusk and Palestine, Texas. The start of the railroad dates back to 1881. Its original purpose was to bring in raw materials for a prison iron foundry and take the finished product out. The railroad grew and eventually expanded to freight and passenger service. Regular train service by the state ceased in 1921, and the line was leased to various railroad companies until 1969.