Fall 2015 No. 82 ASTA-Sponsored Marker Commemorates Austin’s Long-gone Downtown Depots Standing at the corner of where the marker is situated, the Congress Avenue and Third International & Great Northern Street in the heart of Austin’s built a depot with a distinctive booming downtown, one might corner turret in 1888, and on the be forgiven for not recognizing northeast corner, the Houston what was once a bustling railroad & Texas Central built its depot, terminal. There is not, in fact, with its ornate French-style bel- any visible trace, nor has there fry, in 1902. The tracks ran down been for half a century. the middle of Third Street, and Now, though, an official state the intersection was Austin’s ASTA leaders helping to dedicate the new downtown historical mark- historical marker tells passers-by busy (a dozen trains a day in er. L to R, President Robert Schoen, Executive Director Lil Serafine, that the corner once sported two the mid-20s) passenger hub for Chairman Ben Sargent, General Counsel Bill Bingham, Director Da- handsome brick passenger de- many years. vid Gracy and Vice Chairman Larry McGinnis. (Janaye Melsha photo.) pots, facing one another across After the I&GN-successor the intersection. The marker, Missouri Pacific moved its - sta ern Pacific depot in 1964, it, too, marker, and Bob Ward, chair- sponsored by ASTA and the tion to what is now Austin’s Am- fell to the wrecking ball a year man of the Travis County His- Travis County Historical Com- trak depot in 1947, the I&GN later. torical Commission, spoke of mission, was officially unveiled depot was torn down in 1955, ASTA Chairman Ben Sargent the revolution wrought on Tex- in a brief ceremony Aug. 28. and after the last passenger train welcomed vistors to the August as’ then-remote frontier capital On the southwest corner, left the H&TC-successor South- dedication of the new historical (Turn to “Marker,” next page) Thomas’ 12th Visit Wows ‘Em Again Thomas the Tank Engine, the “really useful” little blue engine famed in children’s stories, returned to the Austin & Texas Central’s rails Sept. 18-20 for a three-day weekend of fun. ASTA’s 12th presentation of “Day Out With Thomas” was cen- tered around 31 round-trip train rides to and from the Burnet depot. A&TC diesel No. 442 discreetly powered the eight-car train, but at the front end was the full-scale replica of Thomas, whistling, blowing “smoke,” rolling his eyes and generally delighting his fans. Over the three days, 14,738 passengers took the 25-minute excursions. The event was made possible by the efforts of ASTA’s dedicated staff and of 120 volunteers, some from ASTA’s regular volunteer corps and others pitching in for the occasion. Off the train, visitors could enjoy a variety of child-friendly arts, crafts and toy-train layouts, as well as musical and magic perfor- mances, refreshments and the opportunity to have photos made with Another busy “Day Out With Thomas” (three days, actually) Thomas or with his costumed boss, Sir Topham Hatt. The Burnet wrapped up, some of the 120 people who worked to put on an- Community Center adjacent to the depot offered a generous array of other successful event pause for a smile with the “really useful Thomas-related activities, toys and souvenir merchandise. engine” at the Burnet depot. The “Day Out” weekend, in addi- Organizing and putting on the annual Thomas event always re- tion to months of preparation, setting up and taking down, re- quired a massive effort on the part of volunteers and staff, but its quires the efforts not only of ASTA’s dedicated staff and loyal revenues always provide substantial support for ASTA’s ongoing rail- corps of volunteers, but often dozens of other temporary vol- road-preservation projects. Thomas’ 2016 visit to the Hill Country is unteers and school and civic groups. Thanks, everybody! scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 2. The latest news and information on Central Texas’ historic excursion railroad is always at your fingertips: www.austinsteamtrain.org ! (Donations from July through September, 2015. If we have left anyone off, please accept our apologies and contact us at [email protected] so Thanks to our generous friends! we can make sure we recognize you in our next edition.)

Thanks to our regular member-donors! Thanks to our 786 donors! $10,000. $50 to $99. James D. Spates Stockholder. . . $1,000 to $2,499. J. E. Lehman John F. Hudspeth West Lake Beach M. H. Crockett Jr. (In memory of James R. Ed Mellon Basic. . . .$40 to $99. Lehman) Yardmaster. . .$500 to $999. $20 to $49. Robert Edwin Anderson George Bartholomew $500 to $999. Brian and Glori Euwer Al Elliott J.L. Beckham Alvin Goolsby Joe and Carol Fisher Van Fielding (In memory of Maurice Melissa Malone Beckham) Steve Hanson Scott Lewis $100 to $249. Douglas Soltau Sandra Stallard Sustaining. . .$250 to $499. William Lomman Tim Greeson Martha Ross William Stein III Andy Fish (In memory of Maurice William Taylor Susan Gentz Beckham) Premium. . . $100 to $249. Donors. . . .$20 to $39. Thanks to our donors for the AT&C’s new concession car! Jan Carpenter Andrew Diefenthaler E. Lee DeGolyer III $1,000 to $2,499. Kent Hemingson Al Elliott Clinton Waggoner Richard and Suzanne Hall Deborah Evans BNSF Railway Foundation Kat Mews (Employee Matching Gifts (In memory of Maurice Morris and Dana Noren Beckham) Joe Osborn (In memory of Maurice Program) Doran Sauer Beckham) $20 to $39. (In honor of Doran, Jamie, William Stein III $100 to $249. Zena and Chris Vaughn Ole and Isabel) Daryl Woods Alvin Algarin Robert Scott Michael Barnes

Marker, continued. . . . “Historic Train Depots of Aus- overhaul of Third Street as part by the arrival of its first railroad tin Day.” of its “Great Streets” downtown Help ASTA’s museum in 1871. The state marker, conceived development program. efforts....donate to the Melissa Parr, director of the by ASTA and shepherded Throughout, the process was nearby Brush Square Museums, through the process by the guided by a committee com- Keep History Alive Fund ! recounted the history of that ar- county historical commission, posed of ASTA Vice Chair- Call us at 512-477-8468 rival and of the two depots. (The was approved and manufac- man Larry McGinnis; Barry or e-mail us at Brush Square Museums are the tured in 2010, but placement of Hutcheson, former chairman of director@austinsteam- official city custodian of ASTA’s the marker was delayed while the the county historical commis- train.org steam locomotive, and the muse- city completed a comprehensive sion; and Sargent. ums are adjacent to Austin’s first railroad depot, still standing near Fifth and Neches Streets.) The actual unveiling of the 7½-foot-tall marker was cour- tesy Doug Fusselman, represent- ing the Union Pacific Railroad, which serves Austin today and over the years absorbed all three of the roads (MP, SP and Mis- souri-Kansas-Texas) which once used the twin depots. City Council Member Kathie Tovo, whose district includes the depot site, read a proclamation from the Council and Mayor The historic depots commemorated by the new historical marker, as seen in period photos. The Steve Adler making Aug. 28 I&GN depot at left, called “Union Station” when it was used by all the city’s railroads, was built in 1888, and the H&TC depot, right, followed in 1902. (Photos courtesy Austin History Center.) “Reading on the Rails” Event Brings Together Trains, Books and Kids ASTA’s first “Reading on the gram, which seeks to put books Rails” event brought 275 guests in the homes of all the district’s to the Cedar Park Yard Oct. 4 for children. an afternoon of hands-on train Visitors to the yard were also activities meant to able to tour the encourage a life- site where ASTA’s time of reading. steam engine, Children and Southern Pacific their families toured 786, is being reas- the A&TC’s pas- sembled, and the senger equipment railroad’s newest while taking part display of historic in literacy-related railroad artifacts, activities including located adjacent to talks with chil- the Cedar Park dren’s authors boarding plat- Beth Guillot Leander ISD Educational form aboard a On board the lounge-sleeper City of Chicago at “Reading on (Elizabeth the Excellence Foundation rare Santa Fe the Rails,” Kit Coates, youth services manager of the Cedar Dreamer) and baggage car Park Library, entertains kids and their parents with song and Susie Krolavan- built in 1930 to story. (Janaye Melsha photo) sky (12 Cowboys haul expensive Ropin’ and There race horses. Was a Tall Texan The “Opera- Chronicle Lauds Austin’s “Best Choo Choo Ch’boogie” Who Swallowed a tion Lifesaver” Flea.) crossing-safety services and shopping. ASTA spon- program also (And Yep, We’re It) The A&TC made the issue sored the event had an informa- once before, in 1993, as “Best in conjunction tion booth at The Austin Chronicle’s popular Way to Spend a Hill Country Af- with the Cedar the event, and annual “Best of Austin” issue in ternoon.” Park Public Li- food and bever- September dubbed ASTA and In its recommendation, the brary and the ages were pro- its railroad the area’s “Best Choo Chronicle says: Leander ISD vided by local Choo Ch’boogie.” “America’s romance with rail Educational vendors Rais- Not only that, but the can sometimes seem an Excellence Foundation. Admis- ing Cane’s (famous for chicken issue’s cover sported a odd and fickle thing, as sion was a new or gently used fingers) and Red Horn Coffee photo of a smiling young old modes give way to chldren’s book, to be used in House & Brewing Co. (who of- girl in an engineer’s cap new. Here in Central tex- LEEF’s reading-initiative pro- fered coffee and tea). (the photographer’s as, however, the Austin daughter) in front of the Steam Train Association A&TC’s workhorse die- keeps the trains running sel No. 442. on time in a living history “This living history museum of real-life rail cars and is not just a glimpse into the engines restored to their former past,” wrote Chronicle editor Kate glory; a fully operational leisure Messer, “it’s a living, breathing rail system to afford glimpses example of history’s through into the past along routes of the line to the present.” present, featuring regular treks (And not only did ASTA earn like the Hill Country Flyer and a “Best of Austin” nod and the Bertram Flyer and special-event issue’s cover, but the downtown excursions celebrating various historical marker the association themes and holidays. Volunteers sponsored at the site of Austin’s here are not mere docents, they former passenger depots earned are conductors, engineers and recognition as “Best New His- tradespeople restoring decades- torical Marker.”) and century-old rigs, and their The Chronicle’s “Best of Aus- love of history is as deep as the tin” issue, now in its 26th year, roots they honor. Their passion annually showcases the choices is 100-per-cent can-do and their Conductor Steve Barry in the cab, Thomas returns to the Bur- of both critics and readers in only wish is to share it with ev- net depot platform for another trainload of happy passengers. dozens of categories covering eryone. All aboard!” Since ASTA first sponsored Thomas’ Central Texas visits in architecture, arts, entertainment, Couldn’t have said it better 2003, more than 175,000 people have enjoyed the trips. kids, media, recreation, politics, ourselves! Austin Steam Train Association Inc. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite C-100 Cedar Park, Texas 78613 PAID Austin, Texas Permit No. 3134

Your Fall CALL BOARD!

bers of ASTA. ASTA. of bers

- mem charter were Knight Gary

the City of Cedar Park and Cedar Park Tourism Services! Tourism Park Cedar and Park Cedar of City the railroading, and he and his friend friend his and he and railroading,

tonio, had a lifelong passion for for passion lifelong a had tonio,

- An San and Christi Corpus in A Special Thanks to Our Friends and Supporters, and Friends Our to Thanks Special A

reer in the music-store business business music-store the in reer

- ca a had who Lehman, Mr.

who died Feb. 28. 28. Feb. died who

Mr. Lehman from Mr. Knight. Mr. from Lehman Mr.

nator Janaye Melsha.) Melsha.) Janaye nator

her husband, James R. Lehman, Lehman, R. James husband, her

marker lamp was a present to to present a was lamp marker

- Coordi Volunteer and Serafine Lil Director Executive were era

l a aei eoyo of memory in made was All

Adlake “non-sweating” kerosene kerosene “non-sweating” Adlake Ben Sargent and Director Jimmie Burleyson. (Behind the cam the (Behind Burleyson. Jimmie Director and Sargent Ben -

at its Cedar Park headquarters. Park Cedar its at

Antonio antique dealer, and the the and dealer, antique Antonio Brian Smith, General Superintendent Paul Phalen, Chairman Chairman Phalen, Paul Superintendent General Smith, Brian

lamp to ASTA’s railroad museum museum railroad ASTA’s to lamp

ing, was purchased from a San San a from purchased was ing, the gifts were ASTA President Robert Schoen, Board Secretary Secretary Board Schoen, Robert President ASTA were gifts the

motive bell and a period marker marker period a and bell motive

- mount custom handsome a in locomotive bell and a period marker lamp. Present to receive receive to Present lamp. marker period a and bell locomotive

- loco vintage a donated recently

The donated locomotive bell, bell, locomotive donated The road museum in Cedar Park with her donation of a vintage vintage a of donation her with Park Cedar in museum road

steam locomotive, SP 786, and and 786, SP locomotive, steam

in North Carolina. North in - rail new ASTA’s visited center, Elmendorf-Lehman, Jennifer

ongoing restoration of ASTA’s ASTA’s of restoration ongoing Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Railroad Mountain Smoky Great

a $10,000 contribution to the the to contribution $10,000 a row-gauge lines, as well as the the as well as lines, row-gauge

Earlier this year, she made made she year, this Earlier n Drno Sletn nar Silverton & Durango and -

town Loop, Cumbres & Toltec Toltec & Cumbres Loop, town of ASTA. of

ueos rp o te George the on trips numerous - aficionado and charter member member charter and aficionado

narrow-gauge routes and made made and routes narrow-gauge her late husband, a lifelong rail rail lifelong a husband, late her

said they traced miles of former former of miles traced they said aca spot i mmr o of memory in support, nancial

particular area of interest. She She interest. of area particular oh ih riat ad ih fi with and artifacts with both -

of narrow-gauge railroading, his his railroading, narrow-gauge of historical-preservation mission, mission, historical-preservation

many vacation days in pursuit pursuit in days vacation many ceptionally generous to ASTA’s ASTA’s to generous ceptionally

said she and her husband spent spent husband her and she said - ex been has Antonio San of

Ms. Elmendorf-Lehman Elmendorf-Lehman Ms. Jennifer Elmendorf-Lehman Elmendorf-Lehman Jennifer

Remembered With Museum and 786 Donations 786 and Museum With Remembered Devoted Railfan and Charter ASTA Member ASTA Charter and Railfan Devoted