TSR has shop tours although train not running
BY LELAND ACKER

Idle hands are not the devil's playground at the Texas State Railroad. Though the trains are not running, Superintendent Robert Crossman says the staff is staying busy.

Mr. Crossman said railroad personnel are offering shop tours to any railroad enthusiast who would like to see "behind the scenes" at the state railroad. To schedule a shop tour, Mr. Crossman said those interested need only to call the Rusk depot and make arrangements. He said shop tours will be conducted anytime qualified personnel is available and added there is no charge for shop tours.

As for the state of the tracks, Mr. Crossman said TPWD is waiting for a report from engineers to show what needs to be done to repair the tracks and how much it will cost.

"Until the engineers can tell us what to do, we don't know how much it will cost, or what we should do," he said.

On Sunday, July 8, heavy rains caused a 30 foot washout under 60 feet of track, along with several other smaller washouts. On July 14, more rains caused another 30 foot long washout, but that washout did not undercut the railroad tracks.

An e-mail from Bob Goldsberry obtained by the Cherokeean Herald, reported that representatives from HDR Engineering toured the washout sites on July 17. The e-mail said the engineering study would address all of the washout areas and added that repairs could cost as much as $750,000.

Mr. Crossman has stated that repairs could be made in three to four weeks.

Representatives from American Heritage Railways do not seem phased by the string of hardships which has befallen the train.

"The state's working diligently toward repairs," said Paul Schrank, vice president of American Heritage Railways. "It sounds like it will be repaired."

Mr. Schrank added that American Heritage is moving forward with transition plans, noting that Thomas the Tank Engine tickets go on sale this week. As for finalizing the contract with the Texas State Railroad Rail Authority, Mr. Schrank said things are still moving forward."It's going through the motions," he said. Texas State Railroad shop tours can be arranged by calling (903) 683-2561.