Piney Woods Express Steam

The Piney Woods Express Steam excursion is one of our most popular excursions. This excursion will be powered by No. 30, a 1917 Baldwin Locomotive Works. No. 30 began her career on the Tremont & Gulf Railway, a Louisiana short line railroad. During TP&WD days, No. 30 was known as No. 400. In the late 70’s, when Texas Parks & Wildlife Department took over the operation of Texas State Railroad, new account numbers were assigned to locomotives operating on the line.

The opportunity to ride behind the magnificent locomotives of yesteryear and get up close and personal with these giants is truly an amazing experience! It is always a fun time and a great opportunity to bring the kids out for an educational adventure.

This excursion takes passengers on a journey through the impressive Piney Woods and 135 years of history. From the moment one steps aboard a vintage 1920s car, the excitement of being on the rails is exhilarating. Relaxed seating, thoughtful décor and friendly, responsive attendants add to the ambiance of the scenic journey afforded by travelers a century ago.

This four-hour round-trip train excursion departs from the historic Palestine Rail Depot in Palestine, TX, and travels to our Rusk Rail Depot, where guests will deboard the train for an approximate 1 hour and 15-minute layover at the historic Rusk Rail Depot. During the layover, guests will have the opportunity to get lunch at our Mail Car Café, explore the grounds or take in some history visiting the interior of the depot as well as our gift shop.

We have multiple seating and pricing options for this excursion. Most cars are climate-controlled, have restrooms and access to our concession car, stocked with snacks and a variety of beverages to include adult beverages

Six different seating classes are offered on the Piney Woods Express Excursion: Private Caboose, Presidential 1511, Presidential 42 Couches or Presidential Table and Chairs (for two), Dome, First Class, and Open-Air Coach. An ADA-compliant Car is also available on this excursion.

For the ultimate experience, contact our reservations desk directly to learn more about a Steam Engine Cab Ride!

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

$975 flat rate (up to 8)

Book Your Adventure

Exclusive private car with up to 8 guests. The caboose features 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 champagne or sparkling cider toast and appetizers to each guest upon departure. 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.

Locomotive Cab

Adult Ticket:

$450

Book Your Adventure

All locomotive cab rides must be booked by calling our reservations desk directly at 855-632-7729. There is an minimum age requirement of 18 years old at the time of booking the cab ride.

Presidential Car 1511

Adult Ticket:

$100

Book Your Adventure

The nostalgic Car 1511 is an ADULT ONLY car that features comfortable seats, intimate table service, large picture windows, and a private outdoor viewing platform. In addition, this car is temperature-controlled and has a 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 and snacks are available for purchase. For assistance with booking, please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

Presidential Car 42 Couches

Adult Ticket:

$95

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$70

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$100

Book Your Adventure

Art Deco inspired, Car 42 features comfortable COUCHES with intimate table service and large picture windows. In addition, this car is temperature controlled and has a restroom. A personal car attendant will serve a complimentary champagne or sparkling cider toast and appetizers to each guest upon departure. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as snacks are available for purchase. This is a family friendly car, and all seating is assigned. 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 (Four) to book a combination of both types of seating (Couches and Tables) to sit across the aisle. Booking both COUCHES and TABLES will require separate reservations when booking online. For assistance with booking, please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

Presidential Car 42 Table w/Chairs

Adult Ticket:

$85

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$60

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$90

Book Your Adventure

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 has a restroom. A personal car attendant will serve a complimentary champagne or sparkling cider toast and appetizer to each guest upon departure. This is a family friendly car, and all seating is assigned. Parties greater than 2 (Two) will be seated front to back at 2 (Two) 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 (Four) to book a combination of both types of seating (Couches and Tables) to sit across the aisle. Booking both COUCHES and TABLES will require separate reservations when booking online. For assistance with booking, please call 855-632-7729. This car is NOT ADA-compliant.

Dome

Adult Ticket:

$90

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$65

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$95

Book Your Adventure

The exclusive glass-top dome car features booth-style seating for 4 (Four) on the upper level with a steep, narrow stair passageway on both ends. The unobstructed birds-eye view is something everyone should experience. In addition, this car is temperature-controlled and has a restroom. Upon departure, a personal car attendant will serve bottled water and appetizers to each guest. This is a family-friendly car, and all seating is assigned. 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:

$70

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$45

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$75

Book Your Adventure

Comfortable booth-style seating for 4 (Four) with table service and large windows. Restroom(s) are available on our First-Class cars and are temperature-controlled. Car attendant(s) will serve light appetizers and 1 (One) bottled water to guests upon departure. First-Class is family friendly and all seating is assigned. 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.

Open Air

Adult Ticket:

$40

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$25

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$45

Book Your Adventure

Historic wooden bench seats with no window enclosures. A concession car is accessible for purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as snacks. This is a family-friendly car, and all seating is assigned. Parties not divisible by 4 (Four) may share a bench with non-party guests. Restrooms are available in the concession car. 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.

Piney Woods Express Steam

Seating Class options & Rates

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

Caboose

$975 flat rate (up to 8)

Locomotive Cab

Adult Ticket:

$450

Presidential Car 1511

Adult Ticket:

$100

Presidential Car 42 Couches

Adult Ticket:

$95

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$70

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$100

Presidential Car 42 Table w/Chairs

Adult Ticket:

$85

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$60

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$90

Dome

Adult Ticket:

$90

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$65

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$95

First Class

Adult Ticket:

$70

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$45

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$75

Open Air

Adult Ticket:

$40

Child Ticket (2-12yrs):

$25

Adult with Lap Child Ticket (under 2yrs):

$45

ADA Compliant Car

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