For the occasion of my 40th Birthday, I booked a cab ride on the TSR. Seemed like a good way to mark the day and I'd been wanting to do it for several years. This was as good an excuse as any to finally make it happen.

This same day the TSR was running its "Pints in the Pines" train... also known as the "Beer Train." GM Steve Butler gave free tickets to the crew that worked on the "Photographers Special" back in May. So, Cody & Casey Akin were there as well. Brian couldn't make it, unfortunately.

While coordinating how to get the free tickets for the guys, Steve Butler invited us to his house near Rusk to see the narrow gauge 2-8-0 he was restoring. We all met at the Rusk Depot and followed Steve out there. It was pretty darn cool! Just wish I'd remembered to put the SD card in my camera...

I got so wrapped up seeing the locomotive and listening to Steve that I lost track of time. My train left at 1100 from Palestine. About 1015 I realized what time it was and made a mad dash for the truck. What followed was pretty stupid, but what choice did I have? In hindsight, I should've taken 84 directly to Palestine as I usually do. However, Steve suggested I go north to Jacksonville and jump on 79 since it had a faster speed limit. My GPS showed me arriving several minutes AFTER the departure. So, I floored it. Literally. I was doing about 115 when I got on 79. I called the TSR office and advised them on my predicament. I didn't expect them to say they'd hold the train, nor would I have wanted them to, but the lady that I spoke with assured she'd let the Conductor know I was coming. She suggested I skip getting my ticket and just board as soon as I arrived. Boy... I felt pretty dumb at this point.

With one eye on my radar detector and the other scanning for cops, I kept the pedal down. I came tearing into the parking lot in Palestine with 2 minutes to spare. Not a second was wasted grabbing my camera gear and locking the truck. I then ran at a full sprint for the train. Not a passenger was in sight, all had boarded. Robert (the Fireman) saw me running up alongside the train and chuckled a bit. A few passengers did double-takes as I blew by their windows. I eased up a bit knowing that Robert has seen me and was down to a trot when I leaped into the cab ... and tried to act cool... like I did this all the time.

With greetings exchanged between me, Robert and Bill (Engineer), it was suggested that I had a minute to go get my ticket. So, I casually walked back to the Depot and checked in. Then, with as much "cool" as I could muster, casually walked back to the cab. I KNOW some of those same passengers were eyeing me and wondering what that goofball had been running for just a few minutes earlier.

Oh well... live and learn...

Video of eastbound trip to Rusk

Video of westbound trip to Palestine

Less than 5 minutes after I arrived in Palestine (with my tires squealing) we were off and heading to Rusk.

Engineer Bill Drotar

Fireman Robert Gore

Passing through Dean Wright, my favorite spot on the railroad.

Mile Post 23.3

Deer

Jarvis - MP 17.7

My handy little GoPro was mounted all over the cab and tender with a magnetic mount.

MP 12 - "Everett's Overlook"

These 8 shots show the loading dock and clearing created by our volunteer group for photography specials.

Approaching Mewshaw - 11.6

The Akin brothers: Casey, Cody, and another brother whose name I have forgotten.

The Akins again, this time at Fairchild Hill - MP 5.1

Bean's Creek Siding (MoW) - MP 2.6

The Akins sure get around

Oakland Crossing - MP 2.2

Arriving in Rusk - MP 0.5

After eating lunch, I walked over to the Rusk Engine House for some photos where the crew was servicing SPL 28.

Quite a few changes have occurred here since my last visit. The railroad is now storing cars for other railroads.

New access road to get to the west end of the yard.

Kind of strange seeing modern equipment back here.

This "depot" is just a shell. It's a prop built for the TV show Revolution.

I'd sure like to see this taken out to Jarvis and finished out. Would look nice there and give the

railroad more of a sense that it's travelling through a 1920's era east Texas countryside.

The fire-tower is another relic of the Revolution show.

Magma Arizona 7 in the Engine House

Preparing for the return trip to Palestine. Passengers have already boarded.

Camera bag sitting on the tender

I don't like spiders and I wasn't happy to spot this one riding on the tender.

Looks like a frakin' GHOST SPIDER!

Bean's Creek Siding on the return trip to Palestine - MP 2.6

Bean's Creek is a MoW siding. Not sure how often it's used.

Fireman Robert

Coming into Maydelle - MP 7.3

Maydelle Depot

Downtown Maydelle

Mewshaw Siding - MP 11.6

Extra TSR 8 East

"Pints in the Pines" / "The Beer Train!"

Engineer Bill

Approaching Herring - MP 14

Two years previous to this trip, the Akins and I repainted the Herring sign

Link to Report

Ain't East Texas purdy?!

Jarvis Wye - MP 17.7

Crystal lake / Gibson Road - MP 20.8

Dean Wright - MP 23.3

To the left of the road, near the tree line, are the remains on the Dean & Wright lumber spur.

Parting shot. This was a GREAT day. Can't wait to do it again.