As the only non-profit railroad in the state of Texas, the Austin Steam Train Association has been serving passengers for over 30 years.
On this RU-vid Channel, we will post restoration updates on our ongoing projects and video tours of our historic equipment.
The mission of the Austin Steam Train Association is to preserve, interpret and re-create the first-hand experience of historic steam-era railroading for the enjoyment and edification of today’s families and the generations to come.
Great shot and footage of 786, and I'll really want to put my hands and work on 786 to put back in operation, right now I'm back in Austin and I'm happy welling back to work on the ASTA, me and Noah and the others are still working on 442, and it's coming along very well, after that when I came back in December I hopefully to work on 786 because I love steam locomotives and I'll love to spend time with the locomotive.
Oh wow, that's what I call a flashback. I remember borrowing this film from my local public library when I was a kid. I recognize some of the old scenes too; 786, of course, but also the original Zilker Zephyr.
I remember this long forgotten VHS tape from childhood along w/ Rudy Roo: Trains Lots of Trains. I couldn't remember the titles of them back then sadly so it makes them even more obscure. Seeing them both now gave me the realization from the footage I vaguely saw and remembered. Also, some Amtrak parts were also included on There Goes a Train (as well as being used for the Shining Time Station Family Specials sponsors on PBS).
I literally rode the train ride Saturday, and I'm glad that you're restoring a historic piece of the southern pacific! I hope to see this baby operational soon whenever I visit again
@austinsteamtrainassociation You're very welcome, I'll actually think about volunteering next year though when I turn 14 in March, but only during holidays and occasionally weekends since I'm not always free
@austinsteamtrainassociation Thanks for the link! Though one of your workers that I had a bit of a friendly conversation with on the train actually gave me a sheet with all the information and stuff whenever I can volunteer, I believe his name was artie but thank you once again, I'll probably be seeing yall in a few months are next year
The one time my dad took me to ride the train (When it was still called the Hill Country Flyer) back in the mid or late 90's, 786 failed while we were out on the main line... middle of the Texas summer and it was miserable. Had to wait until 442 could make it down to tow us back home. I may be wrong but IIRC that was the last time 786 ran, but I could be wrong.
Awesome update! I know your railroad has a nice fleet of passenger cars. Also, I recently learned the Gulf Coast Chapter of the NRHS has a former SP dining car (last operated on Amtrak) at your site and can be potentially used on the Austin Steam Train excursions. Keep up the great work!
As I'm gone no longer in Austin, I'm glad I met Matt and I saw you guys moving the parts of 786, my birthday is yesterday so I'm happy you guys are still working, I hope I'll come back to work once again.
The Texas preservation Trust fund...would be worth looking into...for maybe helping you guys out..I mean.if you could get the locomotive to be approved for Historical status..which it should be..for the State of Texas....Anything to help all of you at the Austin Steam train association...would definitely be worth looking into..
But hey, I'll just got in and volunteer for the Austin Steam Train Association, I'll be working on restoration and maintenance like fixing locomotives and railcars and i might work on Southern Pacific 786 because i love steam locomotives and this is going tonbe my first time to put my hands on all things railroading. Im in.
Great progress! I’m very glad a good amount of these former Amtrak dining cars have been saved for preservation. Other organizations have received one of these other cars including: -Kentucky Railway Museum -Great Scenic Railway Journeys -Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad -Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Anyone let me know if I missed any other organizations that should be mentioned.
Thanks for watching the video! To contribute to the continual maintenance of our railcars and other historical restorations, please visit www.austinsteamtrain.org/about-asta/donate/ If you would like to volunteer on our weekend excursions, or help us maintain and restore our vintage train, please visit www.austinsteamtrain.org/about-asta/volunteer/
I remember seeing this train on that one show "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? Railroaders Edition". I watched that VHS tape a million times as a kid! I even found the video here on RU-vid: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vba0BLlO3m0.htmlsi=FqhHiocSsTIxZmez
Hi! im a railfan in north austin and i always watch your flyer from the leander metro station on the central sub. tomarrow i will take my first ride with yall in the first class lounge. I cant wait to see the inside of the cars!
Thanks for watching the video! To contribute to the continual maintenance of our railcars and other historical restorations, please visit www.austinsteamtrain.org/about-asta/donate/ If you would like to volunteer on our weekend excursions, or help us maintain and restore our vintage train, please visit www.austinsteamtrain.org/about-asta/volunteer/
We haven’t determined in what way the car will be used yet, but a car with a fully functional and modern kitchen will provide us with many new opportunities.
