Railroad Partners, Inc.

Motorcar Run in the Texas Hill Country
Bluebonnet Excursion in Llano, Texas

Note Date Change Due to Eclipse!
Saturday, April 6, 2024

New Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
This is a fund raising event for Railroad Partners, Inc.

 

 

Date change note:
A total eclipse of the sun is occurring in this area of Texas on Tuesday, April 8, 2024. The Llano area and other areas of Texas are expecting many visitors. For the purpose of our Bluebonnet Excursion originally planned for Saturday April, 6, 2024, we are concerned about hotel room availability and greater than normal automobile traffic.

We are delaying our Motorcar Run by one week to avoid any potential conflict with our of area visitors to this part of the state. We hope you can still join us on the new date: Saturday, April 13, 2024!

 

 

 

 

This is a NARCOA insured event, and all NARCOA rules apply, including Rule Book v8.3 dated 4/1/2022

 

This is a round trip of approximately 54 miles departing from Llano, TX.  This scenic stretch of a former Southern Pacific Branch track parallels the Llano River and crosses the Colorado River on Lake LBJ. There will be abundant wildlife and nature permitting, bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes.  Participants will travel from Llano, TX, through Kingsland, TX to Scobey Spur and return. 

 

 

The details:

Set-On Information:

Pre-Registration and Pre-Payment preferred:
See details below

Set-On process:
Begins at 8:00am and continues through 9:00am.

Paperwork will be handled by an RPI representative at the Llano Wye.
Do not set-on until given permission by an RPI Representative.

Physical Set-On Location:
Preferred set-on location is the east leg of wye at East Grayson St.  This is a dirt crossing, but there is no local traffic.  Alternate seton location is the north extension of the wye at E-Tarrant St.  This is an active local paved crossing.
It is a busy area with adjacent feed store.  

Additional Time Information:
Safety Briefing at 9:15am
Departure about 9:30am
Lunch in Kingsland. See details below.
Return to Llano mid to late afternoon.
If time allows, there may be additional late afternoon/evening mileage.

Vehicle & Trailer Parking:
There are plenty of parking locations adjacent to the wye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Map of Downtown Llano, TX

Additional Details:

Cost:
$40.00 per motorcar for non-RPI Members.
RPI uses 100% of this fee to further our mission.
Payment can be made by check payable to RPI,
money order or through PayPal.
Please consider joining RPI - $30.00 annual dues.


Reservations Preferred:

Reservations may be made by e-mail.
See below contact information.
It is important for the EC to know who is coming
in case of last-minute changes!

Payment & Refund Policy:

Please contact the Event Coordinator to reserve a spot.  
Advance payment is preferred.  
Full refunds less a $5.00 processing fee will be issued for any reserved car unable to attend or if the event is canceled.
If a motorcar is set-on the rails, but is unable to complete the trip for any reason, no refund will be issued.

Contact Information:
NARCOA Event Coordinator:

Leland Stewart
11057 Palomino Canyon
Converse, TX 78109
210-863-5397 (cell)
E-Mail: poppermaker@gmail.com

Weather Advisory:
This time of year in central Texas is generally very pleasant.  Be prepared for inclement weather including sun/heat and cold/wet.
Rain showers are a distinct possibility.  Bring your rain gear.
We plan to operate this motorcar run rain or shine.


Pre-Inspection:
Each motorcar operator is expected to pre-inspect their motorcar using the NARCOA Motorcar Inspection Form v3.1 dated 9/29/2018.  Bring this completed form with you to be used in the on-site motorcar inspection process. Copies of this form will also be available at the paperwork site on the day of the run.

Breakdown Rule:
Casual: limited to about 15 minutes before disabled car is placed under tow.

Planned Stops:

Kingsland:
This will be our lunch break.  There are a couple of restaurants near the tracks in Kingsland.

 

  

 

 The $40.00 payment for the Llano Branch motorcar run can be made through PayPal by using the convenient "donate" button.   PayPal charges RPI about 4% of the value as a transfer fee.
Please add $1.50 to the fee to the trip fee to help offset the cost if you use PayPal.

 

 You may also send payment by check or money order.  Please make your check payable to Railroad Partners, Inc.  Simply mail your payment directly to the event coordinator:

 

Leland Stewart
11057 Palomino Canyon
Converse, TX 78109

Safety Items

Motorcar operations on this railroad are a privilege.  Let’s help ensure future runs by being extra safe while on the property.

This will be a long day of motorcar operations.  Please be well rested at the start of the day.

Wear proper footwear for the environment.  Leather boots with steel toes preferred.  Please, no open toe shoes.

Restricted speed:  Always be able to stop your car within one-half the sight distance.

Grade Crossings:  Automobiles have the right of way.  We plan to have flagmen in place at the major crossings.  Details at the safety meeting.

Additional Items to keep in mind:
Always be on the alert for moving equipment while working near any r ailroad tracks or facilities.

Do not step or walk on the top of the rail, frog, switches, guardrails, or other track components.

In passing around ends of standing cars, engines, railroad machinery, and other on-track equipment, leave at least one railcar length (50 feet) between yourself and the end of the equipment.

Avoid walking or standing on track at any time.

When it is necessary to walk or work on track, always keep a sharp lookout in both directions for approaching trains.

Before stepping or crossing tracks, look in both directions first. The same is true when walking around machinery and equipment on and about the tracks.

Do not sit on, lie under, or cross between cars except as required in performance of your duty and only when track and equipment are under proper protection.

In multiple track territory, do not stand on one track while a train is passing on another.

Always expect movement at any time, on any track, in either direction.

Always keep in mind that a split second of inattention can result in a serious accident.



Lunch in Kingsland

Our traditional lunch break is in Kingsland.  The restaurant is to be determined.  If you choose to bring your lunch, our motorcar stopping point is generally well shaded for a break.  There is a "quick mart" close to our typical stopping location.

Llano Hotel/Motel Information

The Llano Chamber of Commerce  web site does a good job of detailing Hotel/Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, RV Campsites and other lodging facilities near Llano, TX. Below is a listing of hotels from their website.  Other properties are listed on the CoC website.

 Antlers Hotel Kingsland, TX (325) 388 - 4411

 Days Inn & Suites (325) 247 - 1141

 Best Western (325) 247 - 4101

 

 

 Lone Star Inn (325) 247 - 4111

 

 


The Llano Branch's story



Railroad Partners, Inc.


Railroad Partners, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of active railroad right of ways in Texas and adjoining states.

The mission of Railway Partners, Inc. is:

1) to use volunteer labor and privately owned maintenance equipment to preserve historic rail corridors in partnership with communities, railroads, local governments and other entities and individuals;

2) to acquaint the public with the geography, local history and cultural landmarks of such corridors;

3) to support efforts to educate the public regarding safety within rail corridors;

4) to build community support for the preservation of out-of-service or soon to be out-of-service rail corridors; and

5) to promote safe maintenance and other activities within historic rail corridors through training and mutual cooperation with rail-related groups.

We need dues-paying members and volunteers to help further our mission stated above.  Please consider joining our group.
An on-line application and instructions can be found at:  www.railroadpartners.com .