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Dogwood Lunch Trains

March 21st and 28th

Passengers aboard Texas State Railroad’s DOGWOOD LUNCH TRAIN will savor the flavor and sights of East Texas on this 4-hour round-trip journey. Expand all of your senses with a delicious meal and a front-row seat to the Dogwood Days springtime show. We will depart the Palestine, TX, Railroad Depot promptly at 11:00 am. 

The luminous white dogwoods and pink redbud blooms will light up the East Texas woods as the radiant blossoms and Piney Woods scenery pass by your window. We will offer five different seating classes on this excursion.

Guests in each class on the Dogwood Lunch Train will be served a Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and an appetizer onboard. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onboard.

Lunch is included in your ticket price and will be served outside on the grounds of our Rusk, TX, Rail Depot. Our annual Dogwood Lunch Train has been a tradition for many and a highly popular excursion.

This is NOT a steam event.

While you’re here, be sure to click the link to www.visitpalestine.com —your go-to guide for discovering everything our charming town has to offer!

Seating Class options & Rates

Discover our various pricing options below. Scroll down to explore and find the perfect car for your journey.

ADA-Compliant Car Available– Please contact our Reservations Desk directly at 855-632-7729.

A $3.00 Historical Preservation Fee will be added to the individual ticket rate at checkout. This fee goes directly towards our depots and the railroad and is used to protect, enhance buildings, places, and objects of historical and cultural significance. 

Caboose

$1000 flat rate (Up to 8 people)
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Exclusive private car with up to 8 guests. Features include comfortable individual seating, cupola seating for a bird’s-eye view and a private outdoor viewing platform. In addition, this car is temperature-controlled and features a private restroom. Upon departure, a personal car attendant will serve complimentary Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and appetizers to each guest. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase onboard. For assistance with booking please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

Presidential Car 1511

Adult Ticket:
$136
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The nostalgic Car 1511 is an ADULT ONLY car featuring comfortable seats, intimate table service, large picture windows and a private outdoor viewing platform. In addition, this car is temperature-controlled and features a private restroom. Upon departure, a personal car attendant will serve complimentary Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and appetizer to each guest. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onboard. For assistance with booking please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

Presidential Car 42 Couches

Adult Ticket:
$136
Child Ticket (2-12yrs):
$116
Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):
$140
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Art Deco inspired Car 42 features comfortable COUCHES with intimate table service and large picture windows. In addition, this car is temperature controlled and features a private restroom. A personal car attendant will serve complimentary Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and appetizer to each guest upon departure. A variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onboard. All seating is assigned and parties with an odd number of guests may share a COUCH with a non-party guest. It is recommended for parties of more than 4 to book a combination of both types of seating to sit across the aisle. Booking both COUCHES and TABLES will require separate reservations online. For assistance with booking please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

Presidential Car 42 Table w/Chairs

Adult Ticket:
$131
Child Ticket (2-12yrs):
$111
Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):
$135
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Art Deco inspired Car 42 Table w/Chairs for 2 (Two) includes intimate table service and large picture windows. In addition, this car is temperature controlled and features a private restroom. A personal car attendant will serve complimentary Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and appetizer to each guest upon departure. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onboard. All seating is assigned and parties greater than 2 will be seated front to back at 2 or more tables. Parties with an odd number may share a table with a non-party guest. It is recommended for parties of more than 4 to book a combination of both types of seating to sit across the aisle. Booking both COUCHES and TABLES will require separate reservations online. For assistance with booking please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA compliant

Dome

Adult Ticket:
$126
Child Ticket (2-12yrs):
$95
Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):
$130
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The exclusive glass-top dome car features booth-style seating on the upper level with a very steep, narrow stair passageway on both ends. The unobstructed birds-eye view is something everyone should experience. This car is temperature-controlled and has a restroom on the first level. Car attendant(s) will serve complimentary Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and appetizer to each guest upon departure. A selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onboard. All seating is assigned and parties not divisible by 4 (Four) will be assigned a booth front to back or across the aisle and may share a table with non-party guests. For assistance with booking please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

First Class

Adult Ticket:
$116
Child Ticket (2-12yrs):
$90
Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):
$120
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Comfortable booth-style seating for 4 (Four) with table service and large windows. In addition, this car is temperature controlled and features a private restroom. Car attendant(s) will serve complimentary Champagne / Sparkling Cider toast and appetizer to each guest upon departure. All Seating is assigned and parties not divisible by 4 (Four) will be assigned a booth front to back or across the aisle and may share a table with non-party guests. For assistance with booking please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

ADA Compliant Car

Book Your Adventure

Please see further details in our FAQ section. This car must be booked by calling our reservations desk directly at 855-632-7729.

Service Suspension Notice – June 12-14 and June 20-21, 2025

Due to inclement weather and for the safety of our guests and crew, all Texas State Railroad train excursions scheduled for Thursday, June 12, Friday, June 13, Saturday, June 14, Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, 2025 have been cancelled.

What this means for you:

  • All tickets for excursions on these dates are eligible for a full refund or rescheduling, per our standard cancellation and refund policy
  • Our Reservations Team is available to assist you with rebooking at 1‑855‑632‑7729 or via email at tsrrinfo@jag‑transport.com.
    Please note we are experiencing high-call volume, so please leave a message and we will be in touch as soon as possible.     
  • We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding—guest safety is our top priority.


Please monitor our website and social media channels for updates on resumed operations. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon, under better skies!

Stay safe, and thank you for your continued support.

The Texas State Railroad Team