Texas State Railroad - Rusk Depot

We recently stayed at the Texas State Railroad Campground on September 20–21 (site 21) and were surprised to find ourselves the only campers in the park. If you’re looking for a 70-foot concrete pad, resort-style pool, or waterslides, this isn’t the place for you. But if you enjoy a quaint and peaceful campsite nestled in the pineywoods of East Texas—complete with an economical price, historic train depot next door, and the chance to watch the train engine turn around during excursions—then this is a hidden gem! That said, the facilities do show signs of needed maintenance and repair after a few years of wear and storm damage. Some water hookups were out of service (including at our site), though staff eventually assisted us and offered relocation. It would be great to see these repairs prioritized so the park can shine as much as its setting. We had hoped to take the train excursion, but had difficulty getting through to staff by phone or email. Improved communication and clear booking for excursions would make the experience even better—especially for guests who may need accessible accommodations. There are encouraging discussions about the future of the park between the Town of Rusk, the State of Texas, and current management. Our hope is that whatever changes come, they preserve the quaintness of the campground, the family-friendly excursions, and the unique history of the Texas State Railroad in both Palestine and Rusk. All in all, we enjoyed the peaceful stay and believe with a little more care and investment, this park could truly shine as one of Texas’s treasures.

The train ride was enjoyable. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The scenery was very tall skinny green trees.

Pleasant 4 hours. We were in the domed car with amazing views. Highly recommended.

We did the turntable excursion. Nice, short ride for the kids. The setup of the station and railcar was nice. It was interesting to see how the turntable worked and took us back to where we started. I did not realize how many movies were filmed here. Would love to do a longer excursion next go round.

Absolutely fantastic. Beautiful ride and experience. Cam was perfect host and guide. In fact all employees were super friendly. (Except one lady. Skinny,Long dark hair. Didn’t get name but she was pretty rude) other than her everything was perfect

I would 100% recommend the polar express train ride during the Christmas holidays especially with kids. The experience is definitely worth the money!!! Myself, my husband and our 2 young kids had a wonderful time. All the staff from getting on the train to car 3 were very helpful, friendly and entertaining.

Absolutely wonderful time at the Prom through the decades event. This was my first time on a train. It was wonderful. We rode in the presidential cart, with the wonderful Joyce as our guide. The event was both entertaining, and way better than my high school prom. 🤣 hope to be back next year!

It was fantastic! This was my very first time riding on a train and I thoroughly enjoyed it all! Our host Joyce was so nice and entertaining! She was full of knowledge and so much fun! I can't wait to do all the other rides they offer!

This is the turn around/lunch break stop on the Texas State Railroad. Nice old timey railroad terminal turned into a gift shop, rest area, tourist photo op location, administration offices, and just a cool place to stretch your legs while they turn all around. The restaurant is kind of cool. It makes some great sandwiches/picnic food and serves using old rail cars no longer in service. The food is decent, but having a picnic overlooking a small lake full of all kinds of wildlife is pretty cool!

We rented the caboose and I can't recommend that enough! Lane provided great service throughout the trip. The "snack" was a little box with grapes, blueberries, carrots, celery, ranch, cheese, sausage, and chocolate. The cheese tasted like fridge and the sausage was one slice cut in half. But it was a nice snack before we got to the Rusk Depot. We did not preorder lunch and it wasn't too big of a deal. The preorder line definitely moved faster and they were out of a few things by the time we got up there.

Wow this place was pretty cool. We camped here before and after our ride on the polar express train at the Palestine depot. We enjoyed the playground and open area to see kids and let them roam while still feeling they were safe. The only challenge is the camper parking options are first come first serve and in the dark of night(6:45) it was very difficult to navigate our rig. We managed to find a primo spot when we saw it in the light, but know the trees and drive way options could be a real issue for bigger rv's. Be mindful of arrival times and be sure to stop at the office even if closed for the map and parking lengths recommended for your camper. The trees and area to trek around were amazing! Totally recommend!

I wanted to do something special for my 31st anniversary celebration, and I am glad i got the perfect ride. As soon as we get there, we went to the stationmaster who gave us our printed tickets. A ticket print! When was the last time I saw something like that!!?? All the facilities are super clean, all the attendants and people at the concession stands are very professional. They serve appetizers and they have the whole line of Miranda Lambert's Red 55 wines. Which are good and affordable. If you go from Palestine to Rusk, get off the train and see how they move the engine from the back to the front, and how the "signalman" (hope I got the right term) gives directions to the engineer how to and when the cars to "couple". Our ticket collector Payton was also our porter, she is the best! They also have a Pumpkin Patch, Easter one, Wine one for the wine connoisseurs/ enthusiastic, and the famous Polar Express that runs from November through December. I would recommend that you get reservations for The Dome, which is the best.

For my full review, see the Palestine Depot posting. Rusk was the halfway layover point on our trip. Inside is air conditioned and has a gift shop and a little train history. A converted train car sales some small lunches which are overpriced and "acceptable ". Outside it was so hot! See the train website. This is something you want to do!

My family just got done doing the Pumpkin Patch Express. We paid extra for air-conditioned seating only to find out later that the A/C was broken. Online it says the duration of the trip is 2.5 hours. The reality is that it was like 20-30 min. Of train ride to the pumpkin patch. An hour there, then another 20-30 min. back. The pumpkin patch itself was pretty lame. If you have really young kids, they may enjoy it. I just honestly felt it wasn't worth the money. The ride was very short and not very scenic at all.

I cannot say enough great things! It was perfect for our 2 year old! We did the pumpkin patch-and the ride was long enough for our toddler to stay engaged but not bored. The patch itself was PERFECT! It had so many activities for the kids and so well organized. It was extremely spacious for an independent toddler. I would say the age range would be good for 2-7, maybe 8 or 9. It was a great experience and we will definitely be doing it again next year!

We just completed the Texas State Railroad - Piney Woods ride. We were definitely disappointed. Let me start from the beginning. I called into the reservation line since I heard they had a AAA discount and I couldn't get the code to work online. I talked to the reservation agent about the different options and she told me that the diamond class was spectacular. She described the spectacular views and large windows, and that we should definitely take the diamond class car. So we booked. In looking at the confirmation - they certainly don't give you a lot of information, mostly because you don't need it, and I'll explain why. You don't really see anything other than woods. That's it. And a couple old beat up towns. Not worth it unless there is an attraction on the train. And no one told you anything about the woods, the area etc. So you don't even learn anything :( Here's how it goes: You arrive, pick up your paper tickets, get on the train in your assigned seat (even though no one is checking what car you are in) and then you sit. The snack and beverage service is extremely limited. Soft drinks and coffee. And let me clarify - coffee with powder sugar and creamer that's been sitting for god knows how long. The "snack" is Chex mix. You go for an hour and a half, get off in Palestine at which the stop has a bathroom and a couple pictures on the wall explaining the history and a tiny little gift shop that needs a lot of work. Not many selections. Whatever time the train arrives, you have until 1:30 pm in Palestine to eat. There are picnic tables. Get back on and repeat back to Rusk. Here are my gripes with our experience: 1. No need to wear closed toe shoes. No reason. 2. Our car was freezing in the front and comfortable in the back so even though the server tried turning it down it was absolutely freezing - so our half moved into empty seats at the back. 3. For $85, don't waste your time in diamond class, just do adult lone star. 4. Have real cream or milk and GET RID of STYROFOAM!!! Wtf?! You are advertising a nature ride and serving one of the worst contaminants for it! 5. Paper table cloths in the $85 pp car? Cheap. 6. The seats in our car were filthy old velvet seats. In the cheaper car it was pleather and much nicer looking. I get vintage is part of the attraction but it doesn't need to be filthy. 7. Oh and if you are with anyone who is over 5'8, they can't stand up in the car at all. With a father in law that's 6'1 and a husband that's 6'5, that would have been helpful information. 8. This is priced to include much more. They need to review their pricing strategy. Now, the one star is for the server Lauren bc she was sweet and definitely had a positive attitude and made she she provided as many drinks as we wanted. We made sure to tip her. Having done a similar trip in Napa, this one was more expensive and you received less for the $$. They need more to attract people or this will soon become an attraction of the past.

Fun to be taken back in time aboard the train, even with social distancing measures. Our hostess, Joyce, in the Presidential 42 car was fantastic and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the wine from Red 55 Winery in nearby Lindale which is owned by Miranda Lambert's parents. We had booked the other Presidential car which includes an outdoor platform for $10 more, but they switched our ticket without notification. Still trying to get a refund, but enjoyed the trip nonetheless.

I want to commend Debbie and her boss (whose name I sadly don't remember) at the TSRR Rusk depot. I made special plans to take my mom for a trip on the TSRR. We came from the DFW area, booked an Airb&b, the whole nine yards. Somehow, we lost time and ended up missing the train's departure by, literally, about two minutes. It pulled out of the station before we could get parked and inside. I was so upset with myself that we'd made all the plans and drove all that way and gone through the expense just to miss the train. Debbie and her boss saved the day by offering to drive us from Rusk to Palestine so we could at least ride the train on its return trip. I was blown away at their offer. Debbie was kind and we had a pleasant conversation all the way there. They let us wait in the depot in Palestine until the train arrived. As for the train ride itself, it was my first train ride ever and I enjoyed it thoroughly! We were in one of the Presidential cars, which was lovely and the seating quite comfortable. The staff was friendly and attentive, offering cookies and champagne. (We'd missed the hors d'oeuvres offered on the first leg). Both depots are beautiful and have interesting history, friendly staff and cute gift shops. We pre-ordered our lunches, which were ready when the train arrived in Palestine. I had the veggie burger (yes, vegetarians, they have an option for us!) and thought it was very tasty. My mom said her lunch was good too. All in all, a wonderful and positive experience. I'd definitely recommend this trip on an historic train!

Lived in Texas since 1962. I have no idea how long this operation has been around but, I am glad that I went. This is a family outing. Rode the "First Class" car but spent the majority of my time in the open air car. Today was the initial operation of the new engine or new old engine repainted or what have you. Nicely done. The crew was amiable and even encouraged me to get off the train to take advantage of a photo op as the train did a "drive by." There were no issues getting lunch at the Palestine station as I have read on previous reports. We had plenty of time to eat, shop and enjoy the fantastic weather. Joyce was our "person," who I found delightful. I would encourage them or the city of Rusk to invest in more hotels and places to stay as we stayed in Jacksonville. The drive from there to the station was 15 minutes however if you camp they have areas for that on the property. The young lady in the concession car offers a drink called "Alien Secretions." The contents are innocuous enough but, the name is fanciful if nothing else. All of the employees that I spoke with were very friendly. That to me is important.

If you are into steam choo-choo trains, then this is the treat for you. A steam engine pulls a train from Palestine, and another from Rusk, at 11AM. There is a layover for lunch at the other end, then they return to their starting points at 3PM. The Palestine train goes to Rusk, and the Rusk to Palestine; both returning to their points of origin. It is best to nail down their prices and schedule before making the trip to East Texas. Phone: 1-888-987-2461 Email: reservations@texasstaterr.com Website: http://www.texasstaterr.com/

This is a great train ride. My wife, five year-old son and I sat right up near the steam engine in the open car. Though the food choices were alright, I would recommend eating food at a nearby fast food place before the ride, as everything is rather expensive when you stop at Rusk and wait in line at the stationary food car. Nice for a date, or just relaxing and chatting!

I took the kids up to Palesine a few years back to do the Polar Express train ride and it was faboulous! They had hot coco, read the book, and dancing while we traveld to the "North Pole". The stop was decorated with thousands of lights and Santa got on the train for the ride back to the station and he passed bells! The kids had a great time and so did the adults! This year we decided to do the Pumpkin Patch train tour....WOW! They went all out! We went in the later afternoon and the scenary to the pumpkin patch was beautiful. Once they stopped we left the train and were greated by a fair. There was live music, trick or treat houses, hay ride, and games. The kids picked out their pumpkins (which we decorated on the way back to the train station. From start to finsih the kids were treated as royalty with drinks and snacks and trick or treat bags to color! I highly recommend doing either or both of the tours! Palestine and Rusk are beautiful small towns with lots of charm!

Camped in the campground at The Texas State Railroad and the campground was good. But I do not recommend camping there in July as it was hot. On July 23, 2016 I rode the steam train from Rusk to Palestine and found it most enjoyable. I chose the open car to experience the sounds of the train as it went through the piney woods. I'm glad I chose the open car. I was in fear of the heat but had a nice breeze the whole trip. Be sure to pack yourself a lunch for your stop in Palestine. Be sure and book your ride ahead of time. Train was pretty much full to capacity. I highly recommend this ride and would definitely ride again.

My wife and I really enjoyed the Polar Express. Although we were probably the only adults without children we enjoyed seeing the story through the excited response of so many kids. We have since been back for the Happy Hobo Express, and other special events. Having camped multiple times in the on site campgrounds, which are well maintained, clean, and very convenient. Every event we have attended has been well planned, and exciting!

We went on the polar express ride a couple years ago. While the actual ride was wonderfully done and the crew was wonderful, it was awfully expensive and I don't think it was quite worth what we paid. In addition to that and the reason for the 2 stars, they had us driving through a pitch black field to park at night with guys everywhere directing us where to go. One of the guys wasn't paying attention and directed us straight into a ditch! There wasn't even a road cone or anything marking the ditch, either.At the time they assured us they would pay for repairs on our car. However after the fact they flat our refused to! My husband spent the next couple of months trying to talk to the guy in charge but he flat out refused to pay for it and we were constantly ignored and hung up on. Hopefully they have done something to rectify the situation by now and people are still not driving through pitch black fields to park! Regardless I will not return because they wouldn't take responsibility for their poor parking solutions and their employee directing a car into a ditch. You should treat your customers better then that.

I bought a Groupon called made reservations for 2 adults. Very nice guy set us up. Was told at 1 pm we stop in Palestine for lunch. Then 3 days before the event I called to add on 2 four year olds. Spoke to Portia she said there was no room so I asked to upgrade, still no room, not even diamond class. So I cancelled us all. 3 hours later I called back got a man he was great. Rebooked us and even told me which car to choose to have a better experience. I took the open seating not closed. Got there Saturday morning "our fault running late." 10:40am the girl behind the counter wouldn't take our reservations needed to see Groupon. No signal to get it pulled up. We came 2 hours away, the other lady seen me getting upset so she let us go. At 10:50am. Asked if we brought lunch I said no I thought we stopped at 1pm to eat. She said no they only have boxed lunches. We hadn't ate or drank. We got on the train they had water sodas chips popcorn only cash though. So still no food. Got to Palestine no food there. But an ATM so we got cash. Got water and popcorn. And on top of all this there were more than 50 seats available, they lost $60.00 to $100.00 because they said there were no seats to add the four year olds. And no upgrades. Plus they have no food. And you need cash. But other then that, the scenery is beautiful. Come prepared bring snacks, bring cash, if you don't do the air conditioner car, do the outside car the inside car has windows that don't go all the way up and is hot in there. If summer time, and bring a cushion for your butt if you do outside car, the benches are wood.

We drove almost 4hrs from Houston to Rusk. All we can see was poor and very old facilities, old train. Nothing special but hot and dirt. The train had just taken you back and forth in 30 minutes. 30 bucks and extra charge for service fee. Not worth.