But the train don't run by here no more

by: PDiddie

Sun Jul 30, 2006 at 06:26 AM CDT

The venerable Texas State Railroad may run from here to Palestine, but it's about to get sidetracked in Austin.

The 110-year-old railroad is the most endangered of the 114 properties in the state parks system, which is going on the offensive for increased funding after more than a decade of tight budgets that have led to decaying facilities and reduced services.

But even if lawmakers pour money into the parks system during the next legislative session, the old-time steam engines in East Texas are set to become fixed museum pieces at year's end.

"They're not only threatening to close down the railroad, but they're also threatening to close down a lot of state parks," visitor Travis Shelton said, referring to the recently announced prospect that further budget cuts could shutter as many as 18 low-performing state parks.

Fact is most of the parks in Texas are in shambles:

  More than half the state's parks, historical sites and other preserves have considered or enacted service limitations because of money problems. They include the slowed reconstruction of Sea Rim State Park after Hurricane Rita, and the Sunday-Tuesday closure of the Varner-Hogg State Historic Site in Brazoria County.

  Penny-pinching for more than a decade also has affected quality, said Walt Dabney, the state's parks director.

  "We're absolutely in the ditch," Dabney said.

  Dabney fondly recalls working at the Inks Lake State Park near Burnet as an intern in the late 1960s. And then there's the recent memory of a visit to the rest rooms he once cleaned.

  "They are absolutely amazing. Just worn out," Dabney said. "You can see the building is literally collapsing in on itself."

Chris Bell, David Van Os, Hank Gilbert, Fred Head, VaLinda Hathcox, Maggie Charleton (State Board of Ed. Dist. 9), Charlie Thompson (CD-05) and Sharon Davis (SH-8) all were in Palestine yesterday talking about this:

Bell said that the railroad is just one of the state parks suffering to the brink of closure. Texas ranks 49th in state park funding, and per capita, Texans spend $1.20 on state parks annually, compared to the national average of $7.50.

Money problems have been mounting at state parks for years, forcing Texas Parks and Wildlife to cut park hours and staff and limit maintenance.

Bell said that the Battleship Texas is held together with "tape and Silly Putty," and that the elevator at the San Jacinto Monument no longer goes all the way to the top.

"Seriously, sometimes the punch line writes itself," he said.

Somervell County Salon took pictures and will have video shortly up now at this link.