David Horton
Chapter 10 Communications and Vice-President
dhorton2@aol.com
The reservations schedule for 2016 has finally been posted. I have made reservations for Ray and myself. We will be departing from the RUSK depot on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 11:00 am. Our reservations are for Standard Class-Adult and are costing $32 each. These are upholstered seats in an enclosed car with windows that can be opened, but no air-conditioning. Other accommodations include an open car with no shelter from rain or sun or an enclosed and air-conditioned car with table seating.
Currently there are no individual discount fares available. Usually they have AAA, AARP and others but those have not been set yet. There are also no provisions to order box lunches yet. Ray and I are planning to bring a small cooler with us.
I am pasting on the Notes: section from my confirmation email. They suggest arriving 45 minutes early to pick up tickets and get boarded. We will depart at 11 am from Rusk "pulled with a historic steam engine." Return time is 3 pm. The trip is 1.5 hours each direction with a 1 hour lunch layover at the Palestine depot "for a total 4-hour experience."
Reservations can be made by telephone at 877-726-7245. If you want seats near us you can tell the agent or if other groups want to form in the other classes of service that is fine. We cannot make a group reservation without committing for a block of tickets and paying with one check or credit card which is not an option for Chapter 10. That would be more money than the treasury can support. You can also make reservations online at http://www.texasstaterr.com/ride/piney-woods-train-excursions/.
Now I can get the weekend schedule finished.
Welcome Aboard!
We are thrilled you will be joining us and we look forward to providing you with important information about your Texas State Railroad train ride.
Ticketing:
Will my tickets be mailed to me?
We do not mail our tickets. All tickets should be picked up at the Will Call window at the train depot the same day of the event, no earlier than 1 ½ hours prior to departure.
If I would like to purchase additional tickets or what if I have made an error on my reservation?
Please contact our central reservation department to add additional tickets to your existing reservation to ensure that everyone in your party is seated together. If you have made an error please call us immediate to have the mistake corrected.
Is seating reserved?
Yes, all seating is reserved. If you would like to sit with another party and did not make a reservation together please contact our central reservation department to link your reservation together. Reserved seating cannot be modified the day of your train ride. If you require further assistance contact our central reservation department at 1-877-726-7245.
Getting Ready:
What should we wear to the event?
Sturdy shoes with closed toes are best for train safety. (No open-toed shoes, sandals, or flip flops)
What should we bring?
This is a memory you'll want to save so we suggest bringing a camera with a flash if you are riding an evening train due to the lighting conditions. During boarding guests will be outdoors so dress for the weather. Have your reservation number or confirmation email to present to the Will Call clerks.
Getting Here:
What is the address to the Rusk Depot?
Texas State Railroad, Rusk Depot, Park Road 76 Rusk, TX 75785
What are the driving directions?
From Jacksonville on Hwy. 69 South, turn right at FM 2972 (corner with the Rusk ETMC). Go 0.3 miles before turning left on FM 343. Continue 1.25 miles to the flashing traffic signal and turn right on Hwy 84 West. Go 1.7 Miles to Park Road 76 for 0.4 miles to reach the Rusk Texas State Railroad Depot.
From Lufkin and Alto on Hwy 69 North, turn left on FM 343. Go 3 miles to the flashing traffic signal at the intersection with Hwy 84. Turn left on Hwy 84 West an go 1.7 miles to Park Road 76 on left. Continue down Park Road 76 for 0.4 miles to reach the Rusk Texas State Railroad Depot.
From Mount Enterprise Hwy 84 West, to the stoplight at the Hwy 69 Junction, go straight through the stoplight for 0.4 miles on Henderson St. At the stop sign, turn right on W.6th St. (turns into Hwy 84 W) and go 2.9 miles to Park Road 76 on left. Travel down Park Road 76 for 0.4 miles to reach the Rusk Texas State Railroad Depot.
From Palestine on Loop 256 turn on Hwy 84 East (towards Rusk). Continue on Hwy 84 east for 29 miles to Park Road 76 on the right. Travel down Park Road 76 for 0.4 miles to reach the Rusk Texas State Railroad Depot.
Arrival and Parking:
What parking is available and what is the cost?
There is ample parking at the Rusk depot. We have a designated area for disabled parking, please follow parking lot signage. You must display the proper badge visible on your vehicle.
When should we arrive for the event?
Please arrive 45 minutes prior to your trip. This will ensure proper time to find parking and pick up your tickets.
Reservation Policies:
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
If for some reason you wish to cancel your reservation, please call 1-877-726-7245 at least 48 hours before the date of your trip. If a cancellation is made more than 48 hours prior to departure a full refund will be given. There are no refunds given if a cancellation is made within 48 hours of departure, however you may opt to reschedule for a later date. There are no refunds for pre-order meals cancelled the day of the ride and meals ordered for the rescheduled date will be charged an additional fee. There are no refunds issued for Special Event Trains. Please prepare for road and traffic conditions! The Texas State Railroad is not liable for road closures or delays. This event will run no matter the weather. In the event the train is unable to operate you will be notified by the telephone numbers provided on you reservation immediately,
Other:
Will there be Souvenirs and gifts?
Our Gift Shop is filled with clothing, pins, hats, toys and other souvenirs and will be open for business. It is located at the Palestine Depot. Make sure to stop by and shop for gifts and memorabilia from your ride.
Food Allergies?
We recommend that you please take a moment to review the entrée selected. If a member of your party has a food allergy, we recommend that you contact the central reservations department immediately so that it can be addressed. If it is brought to the attention on the day of the event we might not be able to accommodate or provide the same dish as initially ordered.
ADA Accessibility?
Yes, We have limited wheelchair accessible seating. Please call our central reservation department to make special arrangements for mobility impaired passengers in wheelchairs or needing special assistance.
Do you notify customers for changes with equipment, schedule, and or prices?
We make every effort to contact customers if we know in advance that we will not be running with a steam engine. Schedule, fares, menus, locomotive engines, and equipment are subject to change without notice.
Customer Service:
How to contact Customer Service?
You can reach our Customer Service Representatives by calling 1-877-726-7245. Representatives are available 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm CST. Make the correct selections for the Texas State Railroad. Alternatively, you can reach us by email at customerservice@premierrails.com
I made my train reservation on Feb 10th, last night. They said they expect to be able to take reservations for box lunches next week. The reservation agent said that they would call me. She said the lunches run about $12 per box.
ReplyDeleteI made my train reservation on Feb 10th, last night. They said they expect to be able to take reservations for box lunches next week. The reservation agent said that they would call me. She said the lunches run about $12 per box.
ReplyDelete