Friends group tunnels into transition
BY LELAND ACKER

As the Texas State Railroad enters the tunnel of transition from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to the Texas State Railroad Authority (TSRA), the Friends of the Texas State Railroad continue to find ways to help the train. The group heard reports from Dan Davis of TSRA and Robert Crossman, railroad superintendent.

Mr. Davis reported that Steve Presley was appointed as the seventh board member of the TSRA. Mr. Presley will also serve as board chairman, Mr. Davis said.

"Basically, we're moving forward to Sept. 1," Mr. Davis said.

"We're not sure where the $10 million is coming from, but American Heritage does not seem to be too worried."

Mr. Davis also said Thomas the Tank Engine will be at the Rusk Depot during the last two weekends in October. Mr. Davis said Thomas the Tank Engine will make 30-minute runs from the Rusk Depot on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of those two weekends.

Mr. Crossman reported TPWD is working hard for a smooth transition of the train from their hands to the hands of a private operator. He said there is a lot of detail work being done. He also reported that an employee exodus has not begun.

"The staff is hanging on and filling out applications (for employment at American Heritage,)" he said. "That's their business, I have not been asking, 'Have you applied?' I am just making sure that each has an application."

Mr. Crossman said ridership is doing well.

"We're running a lot of full trains," he said.

Mr. Crossman also gave a final report on the filming of "The Great Debaters."

"The movie job turned out well," he said, explaining that the company filmed on location at the state railroad for 16 hours on June 11, and four hours on June 12. He said they were satisfied with the footage collected.

Mr. Crossman said another movie company has expressed interest in using the state railroad, but he feels that the train's prices might be out of the range of what the next company will be willing to spend. He said "The Great Debaters" spent approximately $44,000 for one-16 hour filming day and a four-hour filming day, which might produce a twominute scene.

"We provided a unique set location," Mr. Crossman said, adding that the sale was easier once the movie company was made aware of Engine 201.

"They asked if the 201 would be similar to something you would have seen in Marshall in the 1930s," Mr. Crossman said. "We told them that the 201 was made in Marshall, in 1903, for the Texas-Pacific Railroad. After that, the question was how much of the train the company could use."

The next meeting of the Friends has not been announced.