Historic Jefferson Railway
The Historic Jefferson Railway was a narrow gauge railroad in Jefferson, Texas. It was an insular line that followed the Big Cypress Bayou for approximately three miles. The line had a single main track with loops at both ends to turn the whole train as a unit without any switching maneuvers.
Its route passed Jefferson Ordnance Magazine, one of only a few remaining Confederate powder magazines from the United States' Civil War, which was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
History
The railway was constructed in 1985 by the City of Jefferson, which purchased the rolling stock of the defunct Six Gun Territory amusement park in Silver Springs, Florida. During the late 1980s Hangtown, a mockup of a western town, was constructed along the line. It was the backdrop for an extensive stunt show, which included multiple shoot-outs. Eventually Jefferson could no longer afford to operate the railway and it was put up for sale.A series of private owners attempted to resurrect the line but it shut down completely by the mid-90s. By 1999 a local entrepreneur had purchased the train, track, depot, and property in order to keep the riverfront free from development. Aside from running the train sporadically to keep easement access, the railway remained closed. During this period, Hangtown became neglected and eventually collapsed.
A family partnership acquired the railway in early 2002. The family announced their retirement in March 2024, closing the railway and putting it up for sale.