NONPROFIT Austin Steam Train Association Cedar Park nonpro t honors railroad history with rides A s the only nonpro t railroad in Texas, the Austin Steam Train Association, based in Cedar Park, invests in restoring, preserv- ing and showcasing vintage train cars and locomo- tives, Executive Director Zena Vaughn said. Established in 1992, the organization has grown to include about 30 vintage cars and two vintage locomotives, including a 1916 steam locomotive and a 1960 diesel one—both of which are undergo- ing restorations. “Without this organization, nobody would ever see these cars,” Vaughn said. In addition to the Hill Country Flyer—the organization’s popular family-friendly six-hour trip to Burnet—other rides include the Bertram Flyer, North Pole Flyer, Sunset Express, Princess Train, Vodka Train, Wine Train and Murder Mystery train. Vaughn said everyone on the train is a volunteer. ASTA has about 125 volunteers, many of whom have been certi ed in specialized jobs, including brakemen, conductors and engineers. Vaughn said she fell in love with trains when she started at ASTA 10 years ago. With a background in theater and nonpro t administration, she did marketing and special events before becoming executive director in January. ASTA is hoping its 1960 diesel locomotive returns to the eet in late 2022 or early 2023. How- ever, its 1916 steam locomotive still needs millions of dollars in restorations, Vaughn said. She said 75% of ASTA’s operating revenue comes from ticket sales that are reinvested in the train. “We consider the train to be a rolling museum,” Vaughn said. “A lot of time and money goes into restoring the cars in a way that [is] histor- ically accurate while keeping them safe and comfortable.”
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
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PHOTOS BY CLAIRE SHOOP COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
VALUING VINTAGE The Austin Steam Train Association aims to restore and preserve vintage train cars and locomotives. It currently has more than 30 cars, six to seven of which
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run regularly. Locomotives
Austin Steam Train Association 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. C-100, Cedar Park 512-915-2340 www.austinsteamtrain.org Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m.; Mon. closed; opens one hour prior to weekend departures Nambe: This rst-class lounge car for riders age 14 and older was built in 1937. It has chairs for 32 people in the main section and a 12-person private compartment. 5 Cedar Park: Added to ASTA’s eet in 2018, this 1946 car serves as its concession car. 6 Southern Paci c 786: ASTA’s original locomotive is leased from the city of Austin. Restorations are ongoing, but no return timeline has been set. 3 Cars Buckeye Lake: Built in 1949, this is one of ASTA’s coach cars. 4 HZRX Diesel 3134: ASTA is leasing this locomotive while its diesel engine is undergoing restoration work. 1 Alco Diesel 442: Restorations are expected to nish on this 1960 locomotive in late 2022 or early 2023. It has been out of service since December 2016. 2
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LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022
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