The ride includes comfortable seating, food and beverage service and historic narration on a rail journey that whisks you back into another century. The casual grace of train travel never goes out of style. From the moment one steps aboard a vintage 1920’s car, the excitement of being on the rails is exhilarating. This three-hour train ride, with an hour-and-one-half layover either in Rusk or Palestine, takes passengers on a 25-mile journey through a State Park and 125 years of history. Celebrated steam or vintage diesel locomotives are the muscle that pulls the consist of cars representing a bygone form of notable travel.

The Texas Jailhouse (AKA: Historic Anderson County Jail) was built in 1931 at 704 Ave A, Palestine, Texas. It replaced the aging 1800s jail built at this same location. This more modern facility was operational until approximately 1988 when the current county jail was constructed less than a mile away on Lacy Street. After needed renovations, the building was used for juvenile detention until closing in 1996. In 1998, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places- building #98000692.

In early 1916, a new high school was introduced to Palestine. This elaborate Jacobean-Tudor style brick building was designed by distinguished Ft. Worth architects Marshall R. Sanquinet and Carl G. Staats. Note the poly chromatic brickwork and extensive use of limestone. Thoroughly modern construction techniques were used throughout. The building served as the home for Palestine students until 1976. In the early 1980’s, the building was set to be demolished, but a group of dedicated citizens fought to keep the building and preserve the town’s history. Most recently occupied by the Museum for East Texas Culture.