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|  TPWD News Release 20070710a                                            |
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[ Note: This item is more than five years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ]
[ Media Contact: Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us ] [TH]
July 10, 2007
Floods, Track Damage Halt Texas State Railroad Train Runs
RUSK, Texas -- 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.
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On the Net:
Texas State Railroad information: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/texas_state_railroad/
Current state park flood closure information: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/news_roundup/flooding/
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