Texas State Rail Road Run

[Mikeymx5]

OK Guys I am planning this for my daughter but though I would get the club involved as well.

The Texas State Rail Road is a old steam engine still in operation that runs between Rusk and Palestine.

Date:
Mothersday weekend:
May10th, 11th, 12th

Time:
The train ride is pending saturday or sunday... Im pushing towards sunday.
We will board at 10am and the train departs at 11:00am.
For people that dont want to stay both nights they can drive in early saturday morning.

Cost:
Train ticket ~$32 + 10% discount Lunch is additional $10
Hotel = Best Western Palestine Inn ~ $71.99 night
Private tour ~$5-10

Reserve room at:
Best western Palestine Inn
To make reservations call 903.723.4655
Address: 1601 W Palestine ave, Palestine tx 75801
I only reserved a block of 10 rooms I can do more if I see more interest.
Ask for the Houston Miata Club Special.

Stand by for more details:

[Smustang1234]

If we are off I'll be there. David

[Mikeymx5]

so david is will may be ok or is june better?

[Mikeymx5]

BTW as I mentioned this before I am planning this for my family... I will relay to the club the motel and the times but the club will have to get a group leader to head the club, relay information and check on reservations.  Though i will be reserving a block of rooms I will only be meeting you at the motel and train station and will not be with group.

If you have never planned an event please volunteer this could be the best event you didn't have to plan!

[Mikeymx5]

I have been asked to plan this around mothers day weekend DO I have any objections?

That will be May 10-12th

[David Manire]

I have done this trip and I had a great time.  May 11 12 would be great.  Are you planning to do the train on Saturday and then drive back Sunday?  The drive is only 4 hours or so.  I think the train departs
1000 and is back 300 pm?

I will put this one on the Schedule.  Also Best Western was a good choice in 2009.

David

[Mikeymx5]

Lester,

 

It was a pleasure speaking with you today about the Houston Miata Club possibly coming to ride the Texas State Railroad. Here is an outline of the options we discussed:

 

1.       Your group has the option of a full ride – which would be 4.5 hours. The train departs from both Palestine and Rusk depots at 11am. The ride to the other depot is 1.5 hours. The layover at that depot for lunch is 1.5 hours, and then the ride back to the originating depot is also 1.5 hours.

2.       A halfway ride is 1.5 hours total. You go to the halfway mark where the trains pass each other, get off and get on the other train and go back where you came from.

3.       We also discussed you joining in on the ride from Rusk to Maydelle to watch the 1890’s turntable turn around. If your group wants to do this ride, I will have to clear it with our GM because this is a charter already scheduled by a rail fan club, with additional riders coming from a photo excursion train full of rail fans, so I would have to make sure it would be ok for your group to join in and also what the price would be. This would have to be on Saturday, May 11th. That train would be departing the depot at 1pm, if I remember correctly. I can double check the time if that’s what you’re interested in.

4.       We do have a shop tour already under way on that day with the rail fan charter group. If you want in on that, I will have to double check with the GM and make sure it’s ok.

5.       If you want to come on Mother’s Day, numbers one and two above still apply. We could probably also set up a shop tour for your group as well.

6.       Lunches have changed since you last rode the train. They are optional now which allowed us to lower the ticket price and gives our customers the option of bringing their own lunch if they want. If you opt for the box lunches (menu on our web site) they are $10 each. If you come on the 11th, we already have BBQ being catered in for the two groups listed above, and could add an order for your group as well. The photo group is getting sandwiches. They are getting sliced smoked turkey and chopped beef, with chips. The cost for a ¼ lb sandwich is $3.98 and the cost for a ½ lb sandwich is $4.75. Both of these are without tax, so you would need to bring  a copy of your tax exempt form to give to the caterer, and you would need to pay by check for the entire order. They will not accept individual payment or be prepared to make change.

I think that’s everything. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions. We look forward to having your group come ride the train!

 

JG

[Mikeymx5]

bump

[Mikeymx5]

OK Guys I have enough information on this trip, I am going to start making resorvations for the club... I will only be making an initial block of 20 rooms and we will see from there.

Please pick a run leader to plan the drives and make the announcements, as I will not be driving with the club.

The schedule will be like this:
Friday (optional im heading up early)
Free day

Saturday
meet for breakfast
morning drive up to Palestine and check in to room
Head over to train service area to take tour
Free run and dinner the rest of the day

Sunday
Breakfast
Check out of hotel
Drive up to the station to board the train and take it out to rusk
Lunch will be picnic style at the rusk station until the train turns around.
Re board the train and take it back to Palestine about 4hr trip.
Head back home or dinner with the group

[cjshem]

100 views...Don't be bashful!  It will be an easy lead.  Who doesn't like trains?   

[David Manire]

If you are going to block in a group of rooms, I will need one room, double beds.  Check in time in Palestine, Best Western is 300 PM??  Do we have a time to view the train service area?  Sunday schedule is a nice slow start with a 1000 Boarding on train.  I may be interested in Leading a group to Palestine. 
Lets talk at the Friday Fuddruckers meeting 08 March.

David

[Mikeymx5]

I will be calling today. If we have to we can go to service area first. I will know today and will relay all the information.

[David Manire]

This would be my proposed outbound leg.  Departure point to be determined later.  The trip back would be hit IH 45 and head south. 


David

[David Manire]

Text for the map.  Proposal Only
Driving directions to Park Road 70, Palestine, TX 75801   
Via Farm to Market 149, Farm to Market Rd 149 N, Farm to Market 3478, Farm to Market 3151 -
This route has tolls.
Depart 10852Westheimer, Houston, TX
1. Head southwest toward Westheimer Rd    210 ft
2. Sharp left onto Westheimer Rd    0.7 mi
3. Turn left onto W Sam Houston Pkwy S    0.4 mi
4. Take the ramp on the left onto
Sam Houston Tollway N Toll road15.0 mi
5. Take the TX-249 exit toward Hollister Rd/Bammel N Houston Rd/Antoine DriveToll road 0.1 mi
6. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Texas 249 N and merge onto TX-249 N Partial toll road 8.3 mi
7. Take the exit toward North Pointe Blvd/Boudreaux Rd    
0.3 mi
8. Merge onto TX-249 N/Tomball Pkwy    3.1 mi
9. Turn right onto TX-249 BUS/Tomball Pkwy    
2.5 mi
10. Turn right onto TX-249 N/Tomball Pkwy
Continue to follow TX-249 N
5.6 mi
11. Turn right onto Farm to Market 149    7.5 mi
12. Turn right to stay on Farm to Market 149    7.0 mi
13. Continue onto Farm to Market Rd 149/S Liberty St
Continue to follow Farm to Market Rd 14913.1 mi
14. Turn right onto Bethel Rd/Farm-To-Market Rd 1791
Continue to follow Farm-To-Market Rd 1791 18.3 mi
15. Continue onto Ave Q    0.7 mi
16. Turn left onto FM 2821 Rd W    0.8 mi
17. Continue onto Farm to Market Rd 2821 E    
0.9 mi
18. Turn left onto Farm to Market 247    0.8 mi
19. Slight right onto Farm to Market Rd 980    8.0 mi
20. Turn left onto Farm to Market 3478    7.3 mi
21. Turn left onto Farm to Market 230    12.9 mi
22. Slight left onto Farm to Market 3151    4.6 mi
23. Continue onto Co Rd 3375    4.4 mi
24. Continue onto Farm to Market Rd 2110    7.7 mi
25. Continue onto N Austin St    0.1 mi
26. Turn left onto TX-304 N    3.0 mi
27. Turn left onto TX-19 N/U.S. 287 N    31.3 mi
28. Turn right onto TX-256 Loop N    1.5 mi
29. Turn right onto US-84 E/E Park Ave
Continue to follow US-84 E 2.4 mi
30. Turn right onto Park Rd 70 0.4 mi
Park Road 70 Palestine, TX 75801

[KayhanW]

Thank you David.....Looking forward to this as the wifey, baby & rest of the family are getting quite interested.....

I think I saw somewhere that we can bring our own lunch along during the train ride?