Special Thanks to Kevin Gentry,
Everett Lueck, and Earl Knoob
The only surviving town located on the Texas State Railroad today is
Maydelle. It is at Mile Post 7.2 and sits about 411 feet above sea
level.
Camp Searcy Baker was built at this location in 1904 as an extension of
the state prison in Rusk. In addition to constructing the railroad on
its way west, the inmates also cut trees to support the coking operation
in Rusk. In 1907, the camp was reorganized as Camp Wright and in 1909
the town of “Maydelle” was established, named in honor of the daughter
of Texas Governor Thomas Campbell, the second native Texas Governor who
was born near Rusk and was instrumental in the extension of the Texas
State Railroad to Palestine. By 1914 Maydelle had blossomed into a
thriving community with several churches, a bank, a cotton gin, and four
general stores. The population peaked at 450 in 1929, dropped to 150
during the Great Depression, and has settled at 250 today.
Until 1946, the Texas Southeastern Railroad hauled timber from Fastrill,
Texas to a connection with the Texas State near the Neches River and
then east to Maydelle for finishing.
Since the tourist railroad was created in 1972, the Maintenance-of-Way
Department has been headquartered across the street from the Maydelle
Depot. In fact, prior to the Engine Houses being constructed in Rusk and
Palestine, all locomotive and railcar maintenance was done here. One of
the maintenance sheds, located near the turntable, is the only surviving
structure from the original railroad. Today, the men and women that keep
the tracks in top shape are based in Maydelle.
One of the most prominent features of Maydelle is the turntable. This
was installed in 1979 by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department. It was acquired from the Frisco rail yards in
Paris, Texas during the time the Neches River trestle was out of use
from 1979-1980, while the new concrete trestle was being constructed.
Locomotives are turned using compressed air from the engine to
power a small motor beneath the tracks. While steam locomotives can
operate in both directions, it is preferred to run forward for enhanced
safety and crew comfort. So, having a way to turn them in Maydelle
enables the railroad to make short runs for special occasions from Rusk
and back.
The
Speed Shed in this photo is the only surviving structure from the
original Texas State Railroad.
SPL 28
blasts past the Maydelle Depot heading east
Maydelle Station Agent waits to "hoop up" Train Orders to MAR 7 East
(staged for photography special)
Maydelle Station Agent waits to "hoop up" Train Orders to MAR 7 East
(staged for photography special)
Maydelle Station Agent "hooping up" Train Orders to MAR 7 East
(staged for photography special)
Looking west
Looking east
Double-Header Trip Around theTurntable
SPL 28
AND MAR 7 arrive in Maydelle from Rusk
SPL 28 cuts off, pulls forward to the turntable switch,
...
...then backs down the turntable lead track while MAR cuts off and pulls
forward.
MAR 7
backing down the turntable lead.
MAR 7
waits while SPL 28 backs onto the Turntable.
MAR 7
waits while SPL 28 backs onto the Turntable.
SPL 28
gets centered.
MAR 7
has backed down a bit more while SPL 28 goes for a spin.
MAR 7
backs on...
And
does a 180.
MAR 7
heads off the table and onto the east side lead.
Both
locomotives head to the east yard throat...
...then back onto the waiting train.
T&P
316 on the turntable
SPL 28
at the east yard throat
SPL 28
West at the Yard Limit sign as seen from CR 2130
SPL 28
West approaching the east yard throat, as seen from CR 2130
SPL 28
West approaching the east yard throat, as seen from CR 2130
East
Yard Throat
MP 7,
just east of the yard, as seen from the cab of SPL 28
Maydelle Yard Limit sign, as seen from the cab of SPL 28
Maydelle Depot, as seen from the cab of SPL 28
West
Turntable Lead, as seen from the cab of SPL 28
SPL 28
East just past the west throat
SPL 28
East at the west Turntable Lead
T&P
316 West
Passing Siding (left) - Main Line (right) - East Turntable Lead (far
right)
T&P
316 East crossing CR 2112, near the field where special events (such as
the Pumpkin Patch) are held.
TSR
300 West approaching the field where special events (such as the Pumpkin
Patch) are held.
TSR
300 West passing the field where special events (such as the Pumpkin
Patch)
