News

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends News

Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone's favorite storybook engine, won't
be able to make his regular annual visit to Austin in 2008, because
Capital Metro is working on his tracks to get them ready for soon-to-
come commuter trains. Thomas will be back in 2009, though, and plans
to make his next Central Texas appearance next year in Burnet. In the
meantime, Thomas will be visiting East Texas this year, on the Texas
State Railroad the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and 24-26. Tickets will be
on sale soon, and more information is available by visiting
www.texasstaterr.com!

ASTA Wins Volunteer Group of the Year

Williamson County named the volunteers of the Austin Steam Train Association the prestigious Volunteer Group of the Year Award in recognition for their incredible work to keep the trains rolling every weekend of the year.

In a ceremony hosted by the Round Rock Volunteer Center, Williamson County Judge Dan Gattis, Sr., praised the value of volunteerism. In his address to the dinner attendees Judge Gattis commented on how unique volunteering is to our American culture and the tremendous benefits to all Americans because of our common belief in volunteerism.

Nearly two dozen Austin Steam Train Association volunteers were on hand to accept the award given to our organization, which was praised for our efforts to preserve, interpret and recreate historic railroading in central Texas. Over 18,000 hours were donated by approximately 150 volunteers in 2007 to serve 40,000 visitors from around the world.

Steam Engine Southern Pacific 786 Restoration Update

Photo Gallery of SP 786 Restoration Work Now Online

Both halves of 786's cylinder saddle were recently bolted together in the shops of Steam Operations Corporation in Muscle Shoals, AL.

786's boiler and firebox in Historic Machinery Services Corporation's shop in Steele, Ala., undergoing a thorough overhaul.

Updates provided by Greg Duepner, chairman of the ASTA board’s oversight committee on the reconstruction of Southern Pacific 786.

The castings of the cylinder saddle have withstood machining so far and are now bolted together, awaiting another pass on the mills. The next step for the cylinders is mounting them on the engine frame.

Restoration work on the boiler continues at Historic Machinery Services in Alabama, though it is difficult to predict the total scope of the work and a completion date.

The driving wheels have been successfully turned in the shops of the Tennessee Valley Railroad and we have ordered eight new tires for the drivers at a cost of $38,000.

The air compressor and feed water heater are being restored at Back Shop Enterprises in Colorado.

Discussions are underway concerning refurbishment of the driving boxes, crown brass and thrust bearings on those boxes.

Check this site frequently for the latest updates.

Related link: Where's the Steam Engine?

Photo Gallery of SP 786 Restoration Work Now Online

North Pole Flyer Tickets Now Available

Our very popular North Pole Flyer train returns in December 2008 with seven excursions bringing the holiday cheer to young and old alike! Tickets are now available for the two hour round-trip ride on December 5th, 12th, 19th, 20th and 21st at 7pm and the two afternoon rides on December 20th and 21st at 3pm.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will magically appear on the train again this year, greeting all the children individually and giving each child a commemorative gift to remember the ride. We'll serve hot cocoa and Christmas cookies, and in each car we'll gather the children together for storytime or Christmas carolling.

Tickets in the enclosed Coach Cars are $25.

Call (512) 477-8468 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm to reserve seats for Christmas 2008.

New Cedar Park Station Opened

Our new train depot and boarding platform is open at 401 E. Whitestone Blvd in Cedar Park. After years of boarding the train on a short platform at the park and ride lot on Discovery, we are finally boarding passengers at our new station located in the Railyard Shopping Center next to Double Dave's Pizza.

Our full nine car train stretches along the length of the boarding platform and passengers can reach all the passenger cars without needing to walk through other cars to reach their assigned seats. Since we are no longer boarding on the mainline, we can also pull the train up to the station earlier and allow for a more leisurely boarding experience.

In the near future Threadgills Restaurant will be completing the interior of the new building that will be used as a restaurant, entertainment stage and train station. Ample parking for train passengers is available along the east side of the new building.