Derailment, washout halt TSR train runs
No injuries reported when 2 trains collide Friday
BY LELAND ACKER

The derailed passenger car blocks the main track and siding after Friday's derailment which resulted in the cancellation of last weekend's runs of the state railroad. Both engines and all passengers were returned to the Rusk depot.

A freak accident during Friday's run of the Texas State Railroad (TSR) and a washout near Maydelle have halted train rides indefinitely. The accident, unrelated to the wash-out happened at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mushaw, the point on the TSR line where the two trains pass each other. On Sunday part of the track washed out at Bean's Creek near Maydelle.

Robert Crossman, TSR superintendent, said the train collision occurred when the Palestine-bound steam locomotive number 300 was stopped on the siding while the Rusk-bound train was passing on the main track.

"For whatever reason, the last truck of the last car went off the track and struck the front of the 300 engine," he said. "The car was unoccupied. There were no injuries."

Mr. Crossman said the cause of the accident is still under investigation. He explained the collision happened at a speed of five to six miles per hour. Following the accident, weekend runs of the TSR were cancelled.

The 300 steam engine sits idle on the siding after Friday's collision with the derailed passenger car pictured left. TSR officials say repair to the locomotive was minor and will cost approximately $2,000. PHOTOS: LELAND ACKER

"The derailed car has both of the tracks blocked," Mr. Crossman said, explaining why weekend runs were cancelled. "We are scheduling a crane to reset the car on the tracks."

Passengers from both trains were loaded onto the Ruskbound train and transported to the Rusk depot. The passengers who had departed from the Palestine depot were then returned to Palestine on busses supplied by the Rusk Independent School District. Passengers were offered refunds and lunch.

Mr. Crossman said damage to the 300 steam locomotive and the railcar was minor. He said repairs would cost approximately $2,000, which is inexpensive in the railroad industry. Friday's accident marked the first accident involving the rolling stock since the train became a state park in 1976.

Flood waters from the Neches River inch closer to the U.S. Hwy. 84 bridge following heavy rains over the weekend. The water never reached the bridge, but floodwaters did wash out the shoulder of U.S. 84 near Maydelle.

Footage of the accident has appeared on the YouTube Web site. The video can be accessed by logging on to www.youtube. com/watch?v=GEkZPZpeaQM &NR=1.

Further complications emerged over the weekend when rain-softened ground contributed to a tree falling on the stranded railcars and 60 feet of track were washed out near Maydelle. While the fallen tree accomplished little more than frustrating the efforts to reset the car on the track, the washout forced the indefinite closure of the track.

Mark Price, operations superintendent said there is a 60-foot section of track hanging over a 30 foot washout over Bean's Creek.

"It's so overwhelming," Mr. Price said.

Initial estimates indicate that rail-quality fill dirt and materials could cost $150,000 and the total price tag could go as high as $250,000. Paul Schranck, who serves as vice president of American Heritage and is slated to take over as general manager of the Texas State Railroad on Sept. 1, told the Cherokeean Herald the washout is not a deathblow to the train.

"It's too bad, of course," Mr. Schranck said. "But it can be repaired. We need to do so and get it running as quickly as possible. We've dealt with these kinds of problems before. It's part of railroading, a bump in the road."

Steve Presley, president of the authority, said, "We have offered the services of Randy Gustafsen with Stone Consulting. American Heritage leaders have offered to provide help. All of us are doing everything we can to assist (in repairing the track.)"

Alicia Phillips, press secretary for state Sen. Robert Nichols, said staff members have spoken with Walt Dabney, state parks director for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). She said Mr. Dabney was very responsive and is aware of local concerns for a smooth transition from TPWD to American Heritage Railways. One possible source of funding could come from Gov. Rick Perry designating Cherokee County as a disaster area.

"I think it is likely he will declare the county a disaster area," Ms. Phillips said. "What we don't know is whether it would affect the railroad."

She said Sen. Nichols was in a meeting in Lufkin-Nacogdoches on Monday.

Bob Goldsberry, executive director of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce and a member of the TSR Operating Agency, said a previous washout at the state railroad took three to six months to repair, with the proper equipment and materi- als. He said TPWD is pursuing repairs to the track.

Ellen Buchanan, regional director for TPWD, visited the state railroad to assess the damage Monday. Mr. Price said the washout comes just six weeks prior to the train transitioning from TWPD to American Heritage.