addition to continuing passenger operations, Iowa Pacific Holdings opened the track to the main line in Palestine on November 1, 2012 to begin offering freight services. The Western Group replaced Iowa Pacific Holdings as operator in May 2017 and was in turn replaced by Jaguar Transport Holdings of Joplin, Missouri in November 2020. The leading supporters of keeping the railroad operational are State Senator Robert Nichols, along with State Representative Cody Harris. The schedule of the railroad allows visitors to ride trains pulled by antique diesel and steam locomotives between the park's Victorian-style depots and through the forests of East Texas. The railroad also has a long history of film and television productions, such as episodes of NBC's Revolution. Motive power The Texas State Railroad operates a steam locomotive and two diesel locomotives, with build dates ranging from 1901 to 1958: Currently rostered locomotives Formerly rostered locomotives Texas & Eastern Railroad In September of 2012, the Surface Transportation Board approved an operating agreement between the Texas State Railroad Authority and the Rusk, Palestine & Pacific Railroad (RP&P) for the latter to perform common carrier freight service over the Rusk-to-Palestine line using the RP&P name. In May of 2017, the line was leased to the Texas & Eastern Railroad to carry on the freight services, the RP&P being dissolved in January of 2018. The freight trains bear the Texas & Eastern name, but the passenger excursions continue to operate under the Texas State Railroad name. The Texas & Eastern interchanges with the Union Pacific at Palestine, and carries primarily construction aggregates, industrial products and chemicals. See also List of heritage railroads in the United States References External links Official website Texas State Railroad Society HawkinsRails' Texas State Railroad scrapbook Jaguar Transport Holdings Heritage railroads in Texas Transportation in Cherokee County, Texas Transportation in Anderson County, Texas Railway companies established in 1881 Tourist attractions in Cherokee County, Texas Tourist attractions in Anderson County, Texas 1881 establishments in Texas