AUSTIN -- State Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) today announced a town-hall-style meeting with participants from the Rusk, Palestine and Jacksonville areas to discuss the future of the Texas State Railroad. Rep. Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) and Rep. Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville) will lend support as co-hosts.

"Community leaders worked very hard to secure funding for the train until September," said Nichols. "We must now make the most of this limited reprieve and enact a plan to keep this piece of Texas History operating for generations to come."

• Who: Anyone concerned about the future of the Texas State Railroad
• What: A meeting to consider possibilities for future operations
• When: Friday, January 26, 2007 - 5 to 6 p.m.
• Where: Norman Activity Center, 526 E. Commerce St., Jacksonville, TX

Nichols called the meeting to bring together citizens working to save this important part of Texas history.

"The best way to find a long-term solution for continued operations is for all the affected communities to work together."

Topics to be discussed include possibilities of future state funding with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as well as recent developments related to operating alternatives.

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