The Tarantula Railroad is one of the few opportunities left in the country
to ride the rails on a train pulled by steam power. The train leaves
the Grapevine, Texas depot Wednesday - Saturday
at 10:00 am and arrives at the Fort Worth Stockyard Station about around
11:15 pm. (new schedule) The arrival time varies because unlike some excursion
trains, the Tarantula railroad is on live track and has to compete with freight
trains for track space.
The train is currently not scheduled to run on Mondays or Tuesday and
has a slightly different schedule on Sundays. Be sure and check
their web page for details.
Grapevine Vintage
Railroad
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Steam Locomotive No. 2248
Cotton Belt Depot
Grapevine, Texas
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Tarantula Railroad Conductor
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If you haven't been to the Fort Worth Stockyards in a
while your in for a treat. There is a lot to see and do and a lot
to spend your money on. You can buy a saddle a pair boots or the
latest George Straight CD and much more.
Another thing that will get your attention at the Fort Worth
Stockyards is the "Worlds Only Daily Cattle Drive." This
herd of Longhorns are herded down Exchange street twice daily, 11:30 am
and 4:00 pm. There are lots of photo opportunities with all the
cows, cowboys and this crazy guy that can be found most of the day
riding a saddled longhorn steer, and he loves to have his picture
taken. If he really likes you he'll even let you sit on his steer
and take your picture. |
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Don't get too wrapped up in the shopping, sites, sounds (and smells) of
the stockyard or you will miss the your train back to Grapevine. The
train pulls out of the station promptly at 2:30 pm for a 4:00 pm arrival
back at the station. While you were doing all
that shopping and eating, the train took a quick one hour trip down to
the Trinity River and back. This shorter trip might be a good
option if you want the experience of riding the rails but want an open
ended time schedule at the Stockyards. Go and
enjoy Texas
Texas Bob
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Fort Worth Stock Exchange
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Steam Locomotive No. 2248 on the Turn Table at the stockyard station
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History of some of the Equipment
Steam Locomotive No. 2248 is a product of the Cooke Locomotive
Works of Paterson, NJ. Built in 1896, 2248 was called a "heavy
mountain-class" locomotive as indicated on the original Cooke
drawings. The 4-6-0, or 10 wheeler, was built for and used by Southern
Pacific
The engine is turned on a 1927 Santa Fe Railroad Turntable for its journey
to Fort Worth's historic Stockyards. The massive 180-ton turntable was
originally installed in Brownwood, Texas and later was moved to Saginaw,
Texas where Grapevine obtained it.
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COTTON BELT DEPOT
707 South Main Street
Grapevine, TX 76051 |
STOCKYARDS STATION
140 East Exchange Avenue
Fort Worth,TX 76106 |
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8/31/2003
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New Schedule (3/17/2006) Grapevine
to Fort Worth Stockyards
(Round Trip)
Departs Grapevine - 1:00pm
Arrives Stockyards - 2:30pm
Departs Stockyards - 4:45pm
Arrives Grapevine - 6:00pm
Trinity River Run
(Stockyards to 8th Ave)
Departs Stockyards - 3:30pm
Returns Stockyards - 4:30pm
Resources:
Grapevine Vintage
Railroad
Fort Worth
Stockyards
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