Published by the La Vernia News on November 15, 2012
Steam Train Journey
Cedar Park is a 93-mile drive from LaVernia and straddles both Williamson and Travis counties, just 16 miles north of Austin. This area has been inhabited since prehistoric time, as evidenced by discoveries made at the Wilson-Leonard Archaeological Site. Beginning in the 1600s, several Native American tribes including the Apache, Tonkawa and Comanche made this area their home, followed by European settlers in the early 1800s. The first organized community was known as Running Brushy with some of the first leaders being George and Harriet Cluck whose ranch formed the core of this new community. In 1883 the Austin & Northwest Railroad arrived and in 1887 the area was renamed Cedar Park. As Austin grew, so did Cedar Park and was considered to be a suburb of Austin until 1973 when Cedar Park became an incorporated city.
Whistle Blowers
As much as we had travelled in central and south central Texas, we didn’t know much about Cedar Park; that is until a good friend mentioned that there was an old train there that provides rail tours of the Hill Country. Something kept resonating in the back of our minds - it was the haunting whistle of an old railroad engine and a conductor announcing: “All aboard.”
One of the most interesting aspects of the Austin Steam Train Association is the volunteers, dressed in authentic uniforms of the railroad’s by-gone days; their only goal is to make sure that each passenger enjoys their ride. One of the trainmen that we met was the son and grandson of a railroad man, and he told us stories of himself as a child on the rail between Chicago and Cleveland. One of the cars on our train was the “City of Chicago” and he remembers exactly where he sat on those trips.
Rail Trips
There are two basic tours, one from Cedar Park to Burnet dubbed the Hill Country Flyer and the other from Cedar Park to Bertram, the Bertram Flyer. They also offer many special tours at different times of the year. Pricing begins at $12 for children. $19 for adults and $14 for seniors.
The Hill Country Flyer departs at 10:00 AM for a two-hour journey to Burnet in the Hill Country. Once there, passengers can get off the train right in the heart of Burnet and enjoy shopping, lunch and even a wild-west gunfight. Passengers re-board the train at 2:15 PM for the return trip to Cedar Park. It does not operate during June, July or August
We chose the Bertram Flyer that runs on Sunday afternoon for the fall/winter schedule. It is a shorter ride following the same route of the Hill Country Flyer as far as Bertram. It stops at the historic 1912 train station there, turns around and returns to Cedar Park. We were able to tour the small station during the very short 15-minute layover.
Pay Your Money, Take Your Choice
There are several choices for seating ranging from coach class to first class. If you decide to go during a hot Texas day, be aware that coach-class does not have air-conditioning. There are a two different lounge cars and a refreshment car where passengers can purchase a variety of drinks and snacks for only $1.00 each. Passengers are also welcome to bring snacks and drinks on board in a small cooler. There is also a private party room that can be used for birthday, anniversary, or any other occasion for a party. Be sure to consult their website for schedules, fares and a wide variety of special trips. Website: www.austinsteamtrain.org
Passing Scenes
Everyday Journeys
Harry and Linda Kaye Perez
Before we took our journey on the train, we read many reviews on sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp, and the majority of them mentioned that the scenery was not what they expected. For those of us raised in this area, we know south Texas landscaping - lots of cedar, mesquite and oak trees, cactus, rocks, and fields of yellow wildflowers. All routes follow the same rail, passing through Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill and Bertram.
Riding The Rails
For us, it was not so much the scenery as it was the experience of riding the rails on this historic train; it was more about the gentle rocking back and forth almost lulling us to sleep and the steel wheels screeching against the rails as the train takes a curve. It was the clanging of the warning lights on the crossing arms as they warn on-coming vehicle traffic that a train is coming. It was the nostalgia and novelty of it all and the peaceful time with a loved one.
He Loves His Job
Travel First Class
Sentimental Journeys
The Austin Stream Train Association hosts a number of special rail rides each year:
North Pole Flyer - December All aboard with Santa and Mrs. Claus Two hour round trip - No stops.
Main Street Bethlehem- December Cedar Park to Burnet for special Christmas activities presented by citizens of Burnet, Departs 2:30 PM from Cedar Park, arrives Burnet at 4:30 PM, Departs Burnet at 8:00 PM for the return trip to Cedar Park.
The Ballad of Black Jack Malloy - August-September Capital City Mystery Players portray outlaw, Black Jack Malloy. No one on the train is safe with this bad guy on board. Includes box meal. No children.
Twilight Flyers - Specified Saturdays during summer months. Experience a magical train ride after dark. Cedar Park to Bertram and back. First class ticket includes box meal.
Other Special Rides include: Murder at the Masked Ball Who Shot JR Sweetheart Special Bluebonnet Special The Holy Ghost Revival Meeting Murder A Halloween Whodunit