Floods, track damage halt Texas State Railroad train runs
Operations suspended indefinately

Courtesy photo SOME OF THE DAMAGE caused by the flooding to the track of the Texas State Railroad.

State park officials have indefinitely suspended all train operations at the Texas State Railroad State Park, following a flood, which washed out a section of the train tracks.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. on July 8, a heavy rainstorm hit Cherokee County, dropping about 7.25 inches of rain over a two-hour period.

Numerous areas flooded and the Texas State Railroad track between Maydelle and Rusk sustained serious damage.

The worst location is a wash out of the embankment supporting the track near County Road 2108.

This location lost an area of embankment approximately 60 feet long and 30 feet tall.

As a result, all train operations have been suspended until the damage can be repaired. An assessment of options for repair is ongoing.

For more information, the public can telephone the railroad toll-free at (800) 442-8951.

Or, for statewide state park information, visitors may phone the Customer Service Center at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department headquarters in Austin at (512) 389-8900.

The latest information about state parks affected by flooding is also posted on the TPWD Web site.