Historic Jefferson Railway, Texas
Heritage railroad with a museumRecent write-ups describe the railway in the past tense; check its Facebook page for any current news
The Historic Jefferson Railway, sometimes called the Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railway, was a 3 foot narrow gauge tourist line that followed Big Cypress Bayou for about three miles through the woods and wetlands of Jefferson, Texas.
- 3 foot narrow gauge line
- About three miles along Big Cypress Bayou
- Also called Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railway
- Ran for nearly four decades
Historic Jefferson Railway at a glance
- Hours
- Not posted; recent write-ups describe the railway in the past tense
- Admission
- Not posted online; check the railway's Facebook page
- Train rides
- Historically a narrow gauge ride of about three miles along Big Cypress Bayou; confirm current status on Facebook
- Best for
- Rail history fans and visitors to Jefferson
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Follow Historic Jefferson Railway
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Taking the kids to Historic Jefferson Railway? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Jefferson.
Rally Takes the Train
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A little narrow gauge line on Big Cypress Bayou
The Historic Jefferson Railway, also known as the Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railway, was a 3 foot narrow gauge railroad in Jefferson, Texas. It was an insular line, meaning it did not connect to any other railroad, and its track followed Big Cypress Bayou for roughly three miles.
One rail history guide calls it one of East Texas' most distinctive tourist railroads for nearly four decades. Its trains carried families through woods, wetlands and historical sites tied to Jefferson's past as a colorful nineteenth century riverport town, and for many visitors a ride on the bayou train was part of a trip to Jefferson. The railway's Facebook page, followed by more than 8,000 people, has posted rain and refund policies for days when the train could not run.
Both the Wikipedia summary and that guide now write about the railway in the past tense. No closing date or official announcement has been posted, so anyone hoping to ride should check the railway's Facebook page for current news before driving to Jefferson.
What the bayou ride offered
The ride itself was the attraction: a short narrow gauge trip of about three miles beside Big Cypress Bayou, passing woodland, wetland and historical sites linked to Jefferson's riverport days. Directory listings place the railway at 400 East Austin Street in Jefferson.
Don’t miss
- The Big Cypress Bayou routeThe roughly three mile line hugged the bayou, giving riders a slow look at East Texas woods and wetlands.
- Narrow gauge trackAt 3 feet between the rails, the line was narrower than a standard railroad, which gave the trains their small, friendly scale.
Why families loved a short bayou train
A three mile narrow gauge ride is a good size for small children, long enough to watch the woods and water roll by without testing anyone's patience. If the railway is not running when you visit, nearby rail museums listed below still offer trains to see up close.
Plan your visit: tips for Historic Jefferson Railway
- Check the Historic Jefferson Railway Facebook page for current news before you travel.
- The railway's posted rain policy says weather or mechanical issues could cancel runs.
Keeping the bayou train's memory alive
The group that ran the railway is not named in public listings. Its Facebook page, with thousands of followers, remains the best place to look for news, photos and any word about the line's future.
Rail history within an hour or so of Jefferson
The Kansas City Southern Railway historic exhibits in the Shreveport area are about 41 miles away. The Historic Depot Museum in Henderson is about 49 miles off, and the Cotton Belt Depot Museum in Texarkana is about 50 miles. See every train museum in Texas for more.
- Texas & Pacific Railway MuseumMarshall, TX · about 15 mi
- Kansas City Southern Railway historic exhibitsShreveport area, LA · about 41 mi
- Historic Depot MuseumHenderson, TX · about 49 mi
- Cotton Belt Depot MuseumTexarkana, AR · about 50 mi
- Historic Southern Pacific DepotNacogdoches, TX · about 82 mi
- Texas State RailroadPalestine / Rusk, TX · about 101 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A train that rolls along beside the water for three miles is exactly the kind of ride I picture Rally loving. In our book he presses up to an arched window, looks out at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. On a bayou line like this one, I imagine him doing the same with the cypress trees and the herons. You can print that window page from our coloring pages.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Texas: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Texas
- Halloween train rides in Texas
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Historic Jefferson Railway?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Historic Jefferson Railway: 20 questions people ask
What is the Historic Jefferson Railway?
The Historic Jefferson Railway was a 3 foot narrow gauge tourist railroad in Jefferson, Texas. Sometimes called the Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railway, it was an insular line, not connected to other railroads, and its trains followed Big Cypress Bayou for about three miles through woods and wetlands.
Is the Historic Jefferson Railway still running?
Recent write-ups describe the railway in the past tense, including a rail history guide that says it ran for nearly four decades. No closing date or official announcement is included, so check the Historic Jefferson Railway Facebook page for the latest word before you plan a ride.
How do I get Historic Jefferson Railway tickets?
No current ticket information is posted online, and the railway is described in the past tense. If rides resume or special runs are announced, the Historic Jefferson Railway Facebook page is the most likely place to find tickets and dates, so check there first.
How much did a Historic Jefferson Railway ride cost?
No current ticket prices or fare schedule are posted online. For any present or future pricing, message the Historic Jefferson Railway through its Facebook page, which has been its main public channel for updates and policies.
Where is the Historic Jefferson Railway?
Directory listings place the Historic Jefferson Railway at 400 East Austin Street in Jefferson, Texas 75657. The line ran beside Big Cypress Bayou near town. Because the railway is described in the past tense, confirm what is there now on its Facebook page before you drive over.
Where can I see Historic Jefferson Railway photos?
The best collection of photos is on the Historic Jefferson Railway Facebook page, which has more than 8,000 followers and thousands of check-ins from riders over the years. Travel listings such as Tripadvisor also carry visitor photos of the train and its bayou route.
Where can I read Historic Jefferson Railway reviews?
Visitor reviews are collected on Tripadvisor under Things to Do in Jefferson, and riders have also left comments on the railway's Facebook page. Older reviews describe the bayou ride as the railway operated in past years, so treat them as history rather than a guide to current service.
How long was the Historic Jefferson Railway route?
The line ran for approximately three miles along Big Cypress Bayou. It was an insular railroad, so the whole trip stayed on its own short stretch of track beside the bayou rather than connecting to a larger rail network, which made it an easy length for families.
What gauge was the Historic Jefferson Railway?
The Historic Jefferson Railway was a 3 foot (914 mm) narrow gauge railroad. Narrow gauge track sits closer together than standard railroad track, which suited a small tourist line like this one and gave the trains a compact scale that many young riders enjoyed.
Is the Historic Jefferson Railway the same as the Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railway?
Yes. Wikipedia notes that the Historic Jefferson Railway was sometimes known as the Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railway, a name that points to the Big Cypress Bayou the line followed. Both names refer to the same narrow gauge tourist line in Jefferson, Texas.
How long did the Historic Jefferson Railway operate?
A rail history guide describes the Historic Jefferson Railway as one of East Texas' most distinctive tourist railroads for nearly four decades. The exact opening and closing years are not posted online, so check its Facebook page for that history.
What did you see on the Historic Jefferson Railway?
Riders passed woods, wetlands and historical sites connected to Jefferson's past as a nineteenth century riverport town, all along the banks of Big Cypress Bayou. The draw was the scenery and the slow narrow gauge ride rather than a large museum building or locomotive collection.
Was the Historic Jefferson Railway good for kids?
A short three mile narrow gauge ride beside the water suited families with young children, and the rail history guide notes that generations of visitors made the train part of a trip to Jefferson. Before planning around it, confirm current status on the railway's Facebook page.
What happened if it rained on a Historic Jefferson Railway day?
The railway posted a rain and refund policy on its Facebook page covering days when bad weather or mechanical issues kept the train from running. Check that page for the full policy wording and for any notices about scheduled or cancelled runs.
Did the Historic Jefferson Railway run Christmas or Halloween trains?
No holiday trains are currently advertised for the Historic Jefferson Railway. For any seasonal news, check its Facebook page. If you want a holiday ride elsewhere, look for heritage railroads and rail museums in Texas that post their own Christmas and fall schedules, and confirm dates directly with them.
Is there a phone number for the Historic Jefferson Railway?
One business directory lists (866) 398-2038 for the Historic Jefferson Railway, but that number does not appear on an official railway page and may be out of date. The railway's Facebook page is a more reliable way to reach it.
Does the Historic Jefferson Railway have a website?
The railway's web presence now points to its Facebook page, Historic Jefferson Railway, rather than a separate official site. That page has carried its policies and updates, so it is the place to look for news, photos and any word about the line.
Why was Jefferson a good place for a tourist railroad?
Jefferson has a colorful history as a nineteenth century riverport town on Big Cypress Bayou, and the railway's route passed historical sites tied to that era. A short train ride beside the bayou gave visitors a relaxed way to see the woods, water and history in one trip.
How can I support or volunteer with the Historic Jefferson Railway?
No volunteer or membership program is posted online. If you would like to help preserve the railway's history or learn whether any group is working on its future, send a message through the Historic Jefferson Railway Facebook page.
What train museums are near the Historic Jefferson Railway?
The Kansas City Southern Railway historic exhibits in the Shreveport area are about 41 miles away, the Historic Depot Museum in Henderson about 49 miles, and the Cotton Belt Depot Museum in Texarkana about 50 miles. The Texas State Railroad in Palestine and Rusk is about 101 miles away.
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