Special Thanks to Kevin Gentry,
Everett Lueck, and Earl Knoob
All westbound passenger trains make their final stop at the Palestine
Depot, about 4 miles east of the center of town. Like the Depot in Rusk,
the Palestine Depot is not original to the railroad. The Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department constructed it in October 1977 to serve the tourists
riding the trains. It is located at Mile Post 25.5 and sits 427’ above
sea level.
In
addition to the Depot and picnic area, the facilities in Palestine
include a Wye, 2-stall Engine House, and 2 storage tracks. Unlike Rusk,
passengers can easily view this activity while they eat lunch at the
picnic area inside the Wye. Sitting at these picnic tables, visitors can
revel in the sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone era of American
Railroading.
SPL
#28 brings in a freight at the Palestine Depot
This is a staged photo from the Photographer's
Weekend in 2015
T&P
#316 prepares for departure at the Palestine water tank.
TSR
#28 has just arrived at the Depot
SPL
#28 prepares to depart
Road
Foreman and Fireman confer before departure
SPL
#28
Backing SPL #28 onto the train.
SPL
#28 arrives with a freight from the mid-20th century
The
Stage
T&P
#610 at the Engine House
T&P
#316 at the Engine House
T&P
#316 shoves T&P #610 into the Engine House.
These
are the only 2 serviceable T&P locomotives left. What an incredible
site!
316
backs around the Wye
TSR #7
Palestine Engine House - Memorial Day weekend 2018
Engine
House
TSR
#300
TSR
#300 arriving from Rusk
Cattle
Guards at the east end of the yard
Looking east from the east end of the yard.
Looking west from the east end of the yard.
T&P
#316 arriving at the WEST end of the Palestine Wye. This is rare
mileage!
