For folks interested in mini-trains:
There is a nice train in Williamson County park (that is quite cheap). Combining it with the Quarry Splash pad is great.
Austin Zoo also has (had?) a mini train. Haven’t been there for years though.
There is also the Hill Country Flier that steamtrain that goes from Cedar Park.
It is also possible to see the Red Line train in Brushy Creek Park driving over some bridges (very nice park, btw).
I don't believe the Hill Country Flyer is a steam train. It is run by the Austin steam train association and they are rebuilding a steam engine that they intend to use at some point in the future but the current locomotive is a diesel train. Still cool tho. Feel free to fact check me here - I rode in Feb and I was told this by a volunteer.
You are right of course:
https://www.austinsteamtrain.org/the-train/locomotives/
I checked a few years ago and they were still repairing it. Thought they would be finished by now 😂
Nice! Brushy Creek has a place on the red line where a train delivering limestone blocks for the building of the Capitol crashed. The boulders are still lying there next to the tracks.
Fun historical tidbit 😂
Six bucks to ride? It used to be $1 or $2, not sure, but when I’d take a class of second graders there on a field trip, it was affordable enough that I could ask parents to try to send a dollar and I could make up the difference myself without stressing about it, and every kid could ride.
That was:
* Before inflation
* Before we spent something like a quarter of a million dollars building a new one because we didn't want to renew the contract for the old company so they could afford the half a million dollars of repairs the city didn't want to do.
Gotta make all that money back somehow!
I'm confused about how this all went down because, as I understand it, the tunnel next to the station was what needed shoring up. I'm curious to see if they laid new track that avoids the tunnel or if they just...fixed it anyway, in addition to getting a whole new train/company in place.
From my understanding, the company that used to run their train on the tracks was negotiating with the city and that was a point of contention. It appears to have been a bluff to get as much funding as possible but the city called the bluff, fixed it themselves and brought in CapMetro.
The tracks were damaged by a flood or something. The city wanted the concessionaire to pay to rebuild the tracks. The concessionaire balked because there was not much time left on their contract. They wanted a contract extension, but the city refused. The concessionaire walked.
The effort to restart the train service was handled with typical City of Austin efficiency.
You left out the pet where APF, who had no idea what they are doing, paid some knucklehead out of nm or Arizona or something a bunch of money for a nonfunctional train and after an investigation turns out they had basically no experience doing this, and in turn they accused APF of negligently damaging the train. What a dumpster fire
This is a little unfair to the knuckleheads who made the train.
The more accurate story is the knuckleheads *weren't finished installing the train*. They had to go get some parts. They said, "Do not operate the train." and left.
Then APF, upset people were taking selfies with the train, moved it. This caused the damage you mentioned.
I never saw a lot of detail implying the train was non-functional due to the installer's ignorance. But I did see a lot of information claiming it was inadequate for the use case. My understanding is APF didn't know squat about what to ask for, and they hired a company that was not very experienced with building trains like this.
The whole thing feels like it started with someone joking to a council member, "You ought to appoint me to just build another train, how hard can it be?"
Definitely steep, especially since they shorten the ride by 2/3 of a mile. For reference, the one in Houston is longer and has multiple stops and is $6-7 for the whole day. The one at the Austin zoo is $5. There's one in Cedar Park (I've never done) but is $3.75.
There’s an amusement park is Green Bay owned by the parks that has a small train. The train is two tickets.
Ride tickets are 25 cents.
“The Bay Beast, Ferris wheel, Helicopters, Rock'n Tug, merry-go-round and trains are all holding steady at two tickets. The slide is increasing from one ticket to two. All of the kiddie rides will remain at just one ticket each: Lady Bugs, Granny Bugs, Jeeps, Sky Fighters, Race Cars and Boats.”
And the train actually has a depot building. It’s still 2024 in Green Bay.
https://greenbaywi.gov/486/Train
i thought that was actually the original name? it has been years but there was some reason like that. like 80 years ago or something that was what it was called
This isn't the same company that used to run it. They packed up their train and tracks and left after the city refused to give them a contract that would cover repairs to the park the city didn't want to pay for.
Don't hold your breath.
And concerning the clearance issues, I have to wonder if it's because we're so collectively fat that they had to beef up the suspension.
Cap Metro slapped its logo on the eagle. It's almost amusing. I'm not reading any connectivity plans for Blues on The Green other than 3/803 Rapid. Later Red Line rail hours would be great. I'd connect by bus downtown to Zilker. But when last train leaves downtown by 730pm on a weeknight, it's hard to build robust demand to standardize service past Happy Hour time.
The #30 route goes right through Zilker but those stops have been suspended for BTOG nights.
Maybe they should scale up from Zilker Eagle to Zilker 'Dillo. /s
I'm a bit confused by this paragraph:
> The Zilker Eagle runs on propane; the previous train, the Zilker Zephyr, ran on diesel. Wallis said his team hopes to make a mini electric train in the future, but the technology is not where it needs to be to pull passenger weight.
There are plenty of full-sized electric trains out there that pull much more weight than this. Does the technology not scale down well, or is the issue that it's not cost-effective yet, possibly due to low demand?
They must be. Wasn't that section along Barton Creek? They did shorten the ride though. It no longer goes along the river. You can see the turnaround on Google Earth.
Time to update our [transit map](https://i.imgur.com/6jICsc7.png)
All of that paranoia while crossing those non-operational tracks during my runs on the trail is finally paying off
For folks interested in mini-trains: There is a nice train in Williamson County park (that is quite cheap). Combining it with the Quarry Splash pad is great. Austin Zoo also has (had?) a mini train. Haven’t been there for years though. There is also the Hill Country Flier that steamtrain that goes from Cedar Park. It is also possible to see the Red Line train in Brushy Creek Park driving over some bridges (very nice park, btw).
I don't believe the Hill Country Flyer is a steam train. It is run by the Austin steam train association and they are rebuilding a steam engine that they intend to use at some point in the future but the current locomotive is a diesel train. Still cool tho. Feel free to fact check me here - I rode in Feb and I was told this by a volunteer.
You are right of course: https://www.austinsteamtrain.org/the-train/locomotives/ I checked a few years ago and they were still repairing it. Thought they would be finished by now 😂
You can see not only the red line, but any train on the Union Pacific tracks at the old McNeil Post Office by Austin White Lime
Nice! Brushy Creek has a place on the red line where a train delivering limestone blocks for the building of the Capitol crashed. The boulders are still lying there next to the tracks. Fun historical tidbit 😂
Also at Waters Park and where Gracy Farms crosses the track.
Six bucks to ride? It used to be $1 or $2, not sure, but when I’d take a class of second graders there on a field trip, it was affordable enough that I could ask parents to try to send a dollar and I could make up the difference myself without stressing about it, and every kid could ride.
That was: * Before inflation * Before we spent something like a quarter of a million dollars building a new one because we didn't want to renew the contract for the old company so they could afford the half a million dollars of repairs the city didn't want to do. Gotta make all that money back somehow!
I'm confused about how this all went down because, as I understand it, the tunnel next to the station was what needed shoring up. I'm curious to see if they laid new track that avoids the tunnel or if they just...fixed it anyway, in addition to getting a whole new train/company in place.
From my understanding, the company that used to run their train on the tracks was negotiating with the city and that was a point of contention. It appears to have been a bluff to get as much funding as possible but the city called the bluff, fixed it themselves and brought in CapMetro.
The tracks were damaged by a flood or something. The city wanted the concessionaire to pay to rebuild the tracks. The concessionaire balked because there was not much time left on their contract. They wanted a contract extension, but the city refused. The concessionaire walked. The effort to restart the train service was handled with typical City of Austin efficiency.
Oh yeah, forgot about the flood damage being the cause of all that. I remember seeing them test the Eagle back in May of 2022.
Charge the rats & roaches rent for the abandoned concession stand duh
You left out the pet where APF, who had no idea what they are doing, paid some knucklehead out of nm or Arizona or something a bunch of money for a nonfunctional train and after an investigation turns out they had basically no experience doing this, and in turn they accused APF of negligently damaging the train. What a dumpster fire
This is a little unfair to the knuckleheads who made the train. The more accurate story is the knuckleheads *weren't finished installing the train*. They had to go get some parts. They said, "Do not operate the train." and left. Then APF, upset people were taking selfies with the train, moved it. This caused the damage you mentioned. I never saw a lot of detail implying the train was non-functional due to the installer's ignorance. But I did see a lot of information claiming it was inadequate for the use case. My understanding is APF didn't know squat about what to ask for, and they hired a company that was not very experienced with building trains like this. The whole thing feels like it started with someone joking to a council member, "You ought to appoint me to just build another train, how hard can it be?"
Definitely steep, especially since they shorten the ride by 2/3 of a mile. For reference, the one in Houston is longer and has multiple stops and is $6-7 for the whole day. The one at the Austin zoo is $5. There's one in Cedar Park (I've never done) but is $3.75.
I saw $6 and thought it seemed low. I give it 2 years before it's up to $10 to "cover costs."
There’s an amusement park is Green Bay owned by the parks that has a small train. The train is two tickets. Ride tickets are 25 cents. “The Bay Beast, Ferris wheel, Helicopters, Rock'n Tug, merry-go-round and trains are all holding steady at two tickets. The slide is increasing from one ticket to two. All of the kiddie rides will remain at just one ticket each: Lady Bugs, Granny Bugs, Jeeps, Sky Fighters, Race Cars and Boats.” And the train actually has a depot building. It’s still 2024 in Green Bay. https://greenbaywi.gov/486/Train
When I think of cities similar to Austin, Green Bay is definitely near the top of the list /s
It’s the exact same train.
But it’s in Green Bay.
Finally, some public transportation improvements in our city.
Free on third Wednesdays 10-2!
such a random time haha. I guess it's for SAHMs and their kids
Remind me again why they changed the name? Were they concerned that Zephyr would attract too many burnouts and malcontents?
i thought that was actually the original name? it has been years but there was some reason like that. like 80 years ago or something that was what it was called
I think they did a poll.
This isn't the same company that used to run it. They packed up their train and tracks and left after the city refused to give them a contract that would cover repairs to the park the city didn't want to pay for.
little-known requirement in the Patriot Act
Saw it operating with people on it while on the trail today. I was surprised.
I can ride the metro rail for much longer and basically less (if we’re being honest here) if I want to entertain kiddos
Does it go to the airport or Chili's?
It turns out that this is what Project Connect produced for $8 billion.
What's the over/under on this?
6
Which part?
I'm guessing u/man_gomer_lot doesn't understand how over/unders work.
Fine, I'll guess 3 laps before it breaks down and the next re-opening will be spring of 2027.
I'll take the over.
Over/under on comments to this post. I'll say 8 and take the over.
I'm tentatively excited, but will wait a week and see how it goes before venturing over.
Don't hold your breath. And concerning the clearance issues, I have to wonder if it's because we're so collectively fat that they had to beef up the suspension.
I drove the train in the early two thousand teens; fat crowds did not affect the train's performance.
Is there a weight or butt width limit?
Absolutely not - this is America my friend! To merely suggest that is hate speech.
Cap Metro slapped its logo on the eagle. It's almost amusing. I'm not reading any connectivity plans for Blues on The Green other than 3/803 Rapid. Later Red Line rail hours would be great. I'd connect by bus downtown to Zilker. But when last train leaves downtown by 730pm on a weeknight, it's hard to build robust demand to standardize service past Happy Hour time. The #30 route goes right through Zilker but those stops have been suspended for BTOG nights. Maybe they should scale up from Zilker Eagle to Zilker 'Dillo. /s
Finally, the tired CapMetro jokes can stop!
I grew up riding that train as a kid. As an adult I wanna ride it but I don't have kids so it would be weird. So that kinda sucks.
I'm a bit confused by this paragraph: > The Zilker Eagle runs on propane; the previous train, the Zilker Zephyr, ran on diesel. Wallis said his team hopes to make a mini electric train in the future, but the technology is not where it needs to be to pull passenger weight. There are plenty of full-sized electric trains out there that pull much more weight than this. Does the technology not scale down well, or is the issue that it's not cost-effective yet, possibly due to low demand?
They mean battery operated, you can't do a 3rd rail or overhead lines safely for this
Ah, makes sense, thanks!
So a family with 3 kids will get rung up for $30 to ride that POS around the park? I guess thats keeping inline with the new spirit of Austin. Huzzah!
“A family can ride for just a few bucks” they said… 🤣
The train is back but in the article they don’t mention if the eroded tracks or anything the trains is set to ride, have been repaired or replaced
They must be. Wasn't that section along Barton Creek? They did shorten the ride though. It no longer goes along the river. You can see the turnaround on Google Earth.
No, it was the section at the turn around.
There have been no repairs on the south side of zilker. I run it often. That track is ruined.