The UP is still very active in Hearne. When Bill, Ricky and I were there a few weeks ago, we saw approx 6 or 7 trains run thru within 2 hours time. Much of the infrastructure is gone, but the yard is still functional and owned by UP. We watched 2 units switching a string of cars while 2 other hot shots went thru north and southbound. At one time there was a 45 car PFE icing platform.
There are several other places to eat(ie: Sonic, Mcdonalds, Subway, etc).
The UP was going to tear down the depot, so the city got it moved across the diamond from where it was originally. After much intensive work it was restored to like new condition. Now it is ready to rejoin the ranks of unique and beautiful Texas depots. The depot is full of historical photos, artifacts, and data about the area which we found to be quite interesting. They are still accumulating items to add to their collection. You can see how the depot was divided into two halves for whites and blacks. Separate but equal sections.
I think we might try to arrange a tour of GATX as a group at some future date.
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: BurkBuddy <BurkBuddy@aol.com>
To: ttat-members <ttat-members@aoot.com>
Sent: Mon, Feb 28, 2011 11:16 am
Subject: Re: Grand Opening of Hearne Train Museum
I would be interested in going. Hearne is a small town. it lost a lot of population when the railroad moved out serveral years ago. The tracks are now storage tracks leased to railroads to store extra cars. The tracks have a lot of traffic. The north-south tracks are up mainline from Dallas to Houston, east-west tracks are up main line from San Antonio to Texarkana. It's a poor town, about 60% black and has a Dairy Queen and Dixie Cafe. Other than a railroad town, it was a farming community. I worked there some helping out a friend. The main employer now is the GATX tank car repair facility. You might get a tour of their operation.
Buddy Burk
In a message dated 2/24/2011 1:43:32 P.M. Central Standard Time,
dano1219@gmail.com writes:
On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 11:09 PM,
<dwayneg57@aol.com> wrote:
Hey Trackers,
The club has been notified of a possible invite to set up our layout and run trains for the Grand Opening of a new Train Museum in Hearne, Tx. A tentative date of April 9 & 10 has been suggested for this event but that could change. The train museum is being opened up in an old train station which sits along the side of the UP tracks, much like in New Braunfels, except it is at a diamond where two tracks cross each other. Both tracks are in use by the Union Pacific so the possibility of seeing trains is high. The suggested set up would be in the baggage room and from the looks of it, would hold a layout about the size of a 1 X 3, possibly 2 x 3. Don't know for sure. Hearne is located about 100 miles east of Austin past Taylor on Highway 79. This event sounds like it would be a lot of fun but to my knowledge has no potential of a financial compensation. There would be exposure of our club to a different audience and who knows, maybe a future event that could have a compensation. This is the weekend that we selected for a Work Day at the last Board Meeting. Does this look like an event the Membership would be interested in pursuing? It may require that we change the work day but I think it is worth going for. Please respond with your thoughts so further contacts can be made with the Museum if we choose to do this.
Thanks,
David
Sounds interesting, what would the turn out be? I've never been to Hearne. How large is Hearne, Texas and I'm guessing they are going to advertise this event, along with the Austin Tinplate Trackers if we go or would there be others also. Are you sure about the lay out size, is that suppose to be 11x30/12x30?
Dano