By Kelly Young
kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com
The notion of a romantic, evening train ride through the Pineywoods of East Texas seems to be a winning idea for the Texas State Railroad, as tickets have already nearly sold out for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Dinner special event, despite a price tag of $150 per couple.
John Garbutt, program administrator for the trains, said the event will be entitled, “Our love is on the line.”
“The event is on Valentine’s Day, and the departure time for the train is at 7 p.m. from the Rusk Depot. It will be a romantic evening with a formal dinner, with candlelight and with romantic music playing,” Garbutt said. “The ambiance will be great for a Valentine’s meal, and it should be a very memorable ride.”
Interest in the excursion has been high since it was announced, and Garbutt said only 16 more tickets, room for eight couples, remain available.
“We are very happy with the interest this event has generated, hopefully we will have a sold-out train by the 14th. The decision hasn’t been made yet whether the dinner ride will become an annual event, but due to the number of people who have purchased tickets I personally assume it will,” he said.
In addition to dinner tickets for $150 per couple, non-dinner seating at the regular train fare of $34 per ticket are available for the unique evening ride. According to Garbutt, plenty of non-dinner tickets are still available. He said reservations can be made right up to the event.
The train will leave Rusk at 7 p.m., travel to Jarvis, turn around and is expected back at the Rusk Depot at 9:30 p.m.
Dinner includes a choice of USDA Choice prime rib or shredded parmesan chicken breast, spring mix with strawberries and raspberry vinaigrette, twice-baked potatoes, fresh asparagus with toasted almonds and a choice of either cheesecake or German chocolate cake.
Entree and dessert choices must be made at the time reservations are made. To purchase tickets call 1-888-987-2461.
Local News
Tickets for TSR Valentine’s Day dinner event are almost sold out
- Local News
-
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
-
Police seek burglary suspects
The Jacksonville Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying two suspects involved in a local store burglary.
-
Details being worked out to bring new industry
A few details are getting finalized before Freedom Equipment moves its headquarters to Jacksonville, creating job opportunities for residents.
-
Jacksonville ISD to discuss changing graduation requirements
After swearing in two new board members, Jacksonville ISD school board will discuss possibly removing health and technology from the graduation requirements on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Building, 1541 Pine St.
-
Fake gun nets same charge as real ones
A Jacksonville man who brought a BB Gun to a fight was charged as if the gun was the real thing.
-
Donations sought to help cover homeless man's funeral costs
Family friends of a homeless man, who was found in poor medical condition on Tuesday, are asking the community for donations to help fund his funeral.
-
Today’s Tops in Texas Rodeo events
• Kids Day at the Park. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Hazel Tilton Park (Corner of Main and Hwy 79)
• Mutton Bustin'. Signup at 6:15 p.m. – Limited to first 10 entries. Sign up at the Rodeo Ticket Office at the Rodeo Arena.
• Rodeo. 7 pm.Tough Enough to Wear Pink & Cowboy Church. Rodeo Arena
-
Rusk gets first application by business for liquor sales
The city council canvassed the liquor election on Tuesday, officially starting the process for the hard liquor placement on store shelves.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Remains of Veterans Found in Basement Are Buried
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
