Train Ride

Another motorcycle trip!  Do you wish you could go on the New Mexico Balloon Festival trip but can't get away for an entire week? Want to try one of the week long trips but want to put your toe in the water first? The Road Captains have you covered! We're going to ride up to Palatine to take a ride on the Texas State Railroad. There's a lot more info on the website (https://texasstaterailroad.net).

Passengers aboard Texas State Railroad’s Fall Harvest Lunch Train will savor the flavor and sights of East Texas on this 4-hour round-trip journey. As summer and especially the summer temperatures begin to cool down, we invite you to expand your senses with a delicious meal and a front-row seat to the Piney Woods of East Texas’ autumn show. Guests in each class on the Fall Harvest Lunch Train will be served complimentary Champagne or Sparkling Cider toast and appetizer upon departure.  A selection of Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onboard.  A catered Lunch will be served outside on the beautifully decorated grounds of our Rusk, TX, Rail Depot and is included in your ticket price. 

We’ve got four rides planned for the weekend:

RHD to Palestine:

We’re meeting at RHD at 11:30 on Friday, Oct. 16 with KSU at noon.  We’ll take the Beltway (TOLLS!) around the city to I-45.. Of course, we’re still not out of the Houston area, so it’s more I-45 for another 45 miles. From there, pretty much all backroads to the Super 8 in Palestine. The total will be about 225 miles. We have a rest stop planned for about an hour into the ride, and a rest/gas stop in Trinity, about 140 miles into the ride. (We can skip the first stop if it’s not needed.)

If things go according to plan, we’ll arrive at the hotel around 5:30 PM. We’ll figure the evening out from there, I thought the  word “Shower” comes to mind  😊

Palestine to Rusk:

We’ll ride from Palestine to Rusk to catch the train. You’ll enjoy the 45 minute ride through the Piney Woods. The train leaves at 11 and they say they want us there around 10, so we’ll depart from the hotel somewhere between 9 and 9:30, depending on who needs gas and such.

Rusk back to Palestine:

The train ride is supposed to take about 4 hours (including the "Fall Harvest Lunch” in Palestine, so we should arrive back in Rusk at around 3 PM. We’re in no hurry to get back, So we can do whatever before we head back. I’ve planned a route back to Palestine, but we’ll head back when we’re done with the “whatever”

Palestine back to Houston:

Departure from Palestine is whenever we want. We’re taking a different route back and it’s a bit longer than the trip there, about 240 miles / about 6 hours. We have one planned stop about 112 miles into the ride, but of course, that can be adjusted as needed. The trip ends at the Buc-ee’s in Katy, but folks can peel off as needed.

This will be a family trip, too! You can ride your bike AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FOLLOW THE GROUP IN THE CAR! 

Please contact me @ bleska@mindspring.com if you have any questions.  And I’d appreciate everyone to take a look at the ride on the Harley Route Planner and let me know if you’ve got any suggestions for things to see and do, know of any road construction I didn’t catch, and so on.

IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON RIDING, PLEASE click the RSVP tab at the top of the page SO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY RIDERS THE ROAD CAPTAINS NEED TO ACCOMODATE!
Notification of cancellation will be posted at least 1 1/2 hours before the meet time. Arrive 30 minutes before KSU with a full tank. Be sure that you have checked your bike (tires, air pressure, etc.....). Routes and destinations are subject to change with little or no notice. You can cancel your reservation any time. Routes and destinations are subject to change with little or no notice.

Bill Leska

Palestine Part 1

https://maps.harley-davidson.com/share/rides/cT-FNeui0O

Palestine Part 2

https://maps.harley-davidson.com/share/rides/lTnrcOZfje

To Depot

https://maps.harley-davidson.com/share/rides/cNdhzsnijO

Depot to Hotel

https://maps.harley-davidson.com/share/rides/cB-TAeu9jO

Back from Palestine

https://maps.harley-davidson.com/share/rides/4Bb5Dek9Cs