TSR track repair finally gets underway
'Thomas and Friends' excursion rides will take place as planned
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Track repairs to the Texas State Railroad line continue to be on schedule as materials to repair washouts have arrived and 2,000 tons of material have been ordered.

Paul Schranck, general manager for the state railroad, now operated by American Heritage Railways of Texas, LLC, said the equipment and crews are arriving to make the repairs.

"We are on task right now," Mr. Schranck said. "So far, everything is going well. It's moving forward, but I wish it were moving faster."

Concerning the biggest washout at Bean's Creek, the washout which shut the train down in July, Mr. Schranck said American Heritage is considering two options.

"We'll either reconstruct it with a bridge or use a higher collard (soil)," he said, adding that American Heritage is still collecting bids on that repair.

Mr. Schranck said October's "A Day Out with Thomas" event scheduled for Oct. 19- 21, and Oct. 26-28, will go on as scheduled. So far, more than 2,500 tickets have been sold. Tickets can be purchased at www.thomasandfriends. com.