Hill Country Flyer
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As I boarded the Hill Country Flyer with the blues
of Robert Johnson playing through my headphones, I began to settle in
for a nostalgic 60-mile train ride through the Texas Hill Country. The
1960 era Alco diesel-electric locomotive, the last operating example of
its kind runs on tracks originally laid to transfer pink granite from
the quarries at Marble Falls, Texas to the Capitol in Austin after the
devastating fire of 1881. If it were not for the fire however, the
tracks would never have been laid. After passenger service was
discontinued in 1937, only freight continued to use this line. It was
not until the late 1990s when the Austin Steam Train Association began
passenger service as a tourist attraction that life came back to this
elegant rail.
In 1882, the
Austin & Northwestern Railroad became the first rail line to be
constructed in the Texas Hill Country. This line ran from Austin to
Burnet. And from 1886 to 1888, approximately 4,000 flat cars of granite
were pulled over this line. Large pieces of granite, which fell off the
train, still remain along side the rails and provide evidence of their
conveyance.
In 1891, the line was
purchased by the Houston and Texas Central Railroad making it part of
the Southern Pacific railroad. In 1986, Southern Pacific sold the line
to the City of Austin and it is now owned by Austin Capital Metro but
it is only used for freight service. In 2008, Austin Capital Metro will
finish a new rail next to the older line for commuter service. This
will officially end any hopes of bringing passenger service back to
these lines except for the Hill Country Flyer's historical tours.
As the train whistle blew, the brakeman took my ticket and made sure everyone was
on board, he then released the brakes and we were ready to go. The Hill
Country Flyer offers every train enthusiast a chance to feel the
"click-click" of the train as it passes over the rails. No matter your
enthusiasm, you will surly feel a sense of ease as the train pulls out
of the station. The power of seduction is all too evident in the faces
of the volunteers. Each member of the volunteer staff has a reason to
be here but in general, it comes down to their love of the locomotive.
As
the tracks wind through the Texas Hill Country, I had a chance to
explore the vintage 1920 rail cars that make up the train. There are 6
Pennsylvania Railroad coach cars. These make up the main body of
passenger cars as well as a concession car where you can buy soft
drinks and other snacks as well as souvenirs and train memorabilia;
which include authentic railroad spikes, train whistles and 3-D viewers
with old train pictures. In between each car is a vestibule, this is
the perfect place to stop and get an un-obstructive view of the San
Gabriel River Valley.
Continuing forward, there are special parlor cars that are climate
controlled and represent different vintage years. These are privately
owned and leased to the Steam Train Association. There is a row of
private staterooms that even have sleepers. These are all outfitted
with comfortable lounge chairs and tables. In the main section of the
car, are some colorful oriental carpets and informal tables with
chairs, where passengers sit to relax and enjoy a good conversation. At
the head of the car is a bar serving soft drinks. The bar area was
actually a working food and drinks preparation area for first class
passengers in its heyday.
Pulling
into Burnet an historic looking sheriff tells us to be sure and come
back early so we can see the gunfight reenactment at an authentic
western town. While I waited for the big event, I walked through town
looking at the many restaurants and gift shops to peruse for souvenirs
representing the historic past. If you are hungry and are looking for a
good Texas burger, then the Texas Star Grill is a perfect place to grab
a glass of lemonade and one of the biggest burgers you will ever see so
come hungry. There are pictures of cowboy legends including Roy Rogers,
Gene Autry, Clint Eastwood, James Dean, John Wayne and others on the
walls of this restaurant along with many historic items of Cowboy
origins. This is just preparing you for the big show.
