If you’re planning a visit to Texas, make sure to include these tourist railroads, museums, and displays as part of the itinerary. They’ll be the highlights of your adventure in the Lone Star State, as recommended by Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook.
Texas Tourist Railroads and Museums
Central Texas
Austin Steam Train Association – 401 East Whitestone Boulevard., Ste C-100, Cedar Park
Some of the most scenic views in Central Texas can be experienced aboard the Austin Steam Train Association’s excursion trains. Departing from Cedar Park, various trips are offered year-round, including the Hill Country Flyer, a 66-mile, 6.5-hour excursion to Burnet, Texas; and the Bertram Flyer, a shorter, 3.5-hour run to Bertram Depot. Special events are also provided through the North Pole Flyer, wine trains, and sunset excursions. Please note that the trains are currently diesel-powered as steam locomotive Southern Pacific No. 786 remains out of service for an extensive overhaul.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Grapevine Vintage Railroad – 636 Main Street, Grapevine
Whether you’re looking for a short train ride or a longer excursion, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad takes you through the heart of Texas out of the 1888 Cotton Belt depot in downtown Grapevine. The Trinity River 1-hour excursion passes through Trinity Park and the Fort Worth Zoo along a segment of the famous Chisholm Trail. For a longer trip, ride the excursion to Stockyards and enjoy a 1.5-hour layover. Diesel locomotives are the main motive power as they pull passenger cars ranging from 1925-era coaches with 19th-century décor, to open-air cars.
Museum of the American Railroad – 8004 North Dallas Parkway, Frisco
This museum is home to a collection that covers almost every aspect of railroad history in the United States. Visitors can marvel at steam locomotives Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4018 and Frisco No. 4501, plus Alco PA diesel Santa Fe No. 59L. It’s important to note there are two visiting options: TrainTopia, a 3,000-square-foot model railroad display and indoor exhibits at the nearby Frisco Discovery Center; or, if weather permitting, guided walking tours of the museum’s equipment.
Gulf Coast
Galveston Railroad Museum – 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston
The 5-acre campus is located on the grounds of the former Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway headquarters on Galveston Island. The museum houses an impressive collection that includes a pair of EMD F7 diesels which are beautifully painted in the iconic warbonnet scheme of the Santa Fe. After touring the displays and exhibits, climb aboard the Harborside Express for a 15-minute ride on an open-air, ex-Missouri Pacific caboose that operates most Saturdays.
Southeast Texas
Texas State Railroad – 789 Park Road 70, Palestine; or 535 Park Road 76, Rusk
One of the premier tourist railroads in the state that offers various excursions behind historic steam and vintage diesel. Once constructed by prisoners, the railroad makes its way through the piney woods of East Texas between Palestine and Rusk. From open-air cars to full-length domes and a private caboose for renting out, multiple class options are provided with something for everyone to enjoy. When at Palestine, don’t forget to visit the locomotive facility that’s home to the railroad’s centerpiece in the steam collection, Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 No. 610.
Other Texas railroad sites to consider
During your visit to Texas, consider also visiting these railroad sites:
- B-RI Railroad Museum – Teague
- Eagle Lake Depot – Eagle Lake
- Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum – Ennis
- History Center – Diboll
- Interurban Railway Museum – Plano
- Lehnis Railroad Museum – Brownwood
- McKinney Avenue Trolley – Dallas
- New Braunfels Railroad Museum – New Braunfels
- Railway Museum of San Angelo – San Angelo
- Rosenberg Railroad Museum – Rosenberg
- Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum – Temple
- Texas & Pacific Railway Depot – Marshall
- Texas Transportation Museum – San Antonio
