Iron Horse Square | 200 West Front Street, Mineola, TX 75773 | (903) 569-6183
Depot with Restrooms
Located to the immediate west of U.S. Highway 69 and between Front & Commerce streets is the old Union Depot which serves as an Amtrak passenger station and as a small railroad history museum. The station has a passenger waiting area, an office area, restroom facilities, a railroad artifact area and a conference room. The depot was remodeled in 2005 and rededicated in 2006 with its exterior having been restored to its original 1906 design.
The multimodal depot is now known as the Mineola Transportation Plaza and won the “Best Building Restoration” award from the Texas Downtown Association in 2006; the city leases the property from the Union Pacific Railroad.
Covered Commons Area
Located approximately 50’ west of the depot is a 30x60 open commons area with cement flooring and seating around the perimeter.
15” Gauge Train and Track (1 engine & 3 passenger cars)
A 15 inch gauge replica of a Union Pacific train has been built by Swannee River Railroad Company in Lufkin, Texas and funded by the Meredith Foundation. The total distance at this time is approximately one-quarter of a mile.
The engine is diesel and each passenger car holds 12 patrons.
Interactive Model Railroads with Replica of 1930s Mineola
On May 12, 2018, a model railroad replicating 1930’s Mineola & her 3 railroads was opened in the Mineola Depot Museum. The model train layout will be used as an educational tool for individuals and groups who are seeking to learn about Mineola/East Texas and her railroad history. The trains will have the capability of being run remotely from inside and outside the train room.
In the future, an individual operating the display will also have the option to hear historical information about selected Mineola businesses by pressing the button corresponding to that business.
Engine House/Storage Area for Train
The mini train storage building is a replica of the Round House that was in the West Mineola train yard. It will serve as a feature for our train to pass through as well as the housing area for the mini train when not in use.
Photo of the Round House in the West Mineola RR Yard ca. 1930.
Public Works Director William Crump in the Train Storage Building (materials donated by ETAS of Mineola.)
Boundary Fence
An additional 552’ has been added to the existing 4’ x 332’ pipe tubing fence. Name plaques are being sold for a $500 donation to Iron Horse Square to raise money to purchase the fence.
Large Park Sign
Glory Days of Iron Horse
See over 100 photos of trains and trainmen in Mineola and East Texas displayed on a television inside the museum.
Playground Area for Children
Little Free Library - donated by Epsilon Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Photo by Sam Major
Projected Construction for 2022
Depot / Waiting Area
Depot / Waiting Area will be a covered, open air waiting area on the East curve of the mini train tracks.
Historical Walking Trail (one-half mile in distance)
A ½ mile long foot path providing wheelchair accessibility will be constructed through Iron Horse Square. Along the foot path will be historical signage depicting the story of Mineola’s railroad heritage. The path (red) will begin near the covered common’s area, track west to Stone Street, with parts of it on the actual abandoned railbed of the M&KT (Katy) Railroad, and back to the entrance. (Yellow is possible future paths dependent on right of way clearances)
Historical Signage (interactive signage) 2022-2023 & Photo Op Areas
Historical signs will be posted alongside the entire walking path telling the story of Mineola’s railroad heritage. The story will include the International and Great Northern Railroad, the Missouri Kansas and Texas Railroad, and the Texas and Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific, & Amtrak Railroad companies. These signs will explain the history and impact of the railroad in Mineola & East Texas and how the Union Pacific Railroad Company is helping to ensure our railroading heritage will live on for many years to come.
Information Sign at Iron Horse Square - Stone Street
A large wooden, three-sectioned sign where the historical railroad walking trail (Katy Trail) intersects with Stone Street.
The sign will have three diverse sections on one side and a map of the park on the other side. There will be a pull over area for cars and other passerby. The sign will function as a western entrance sign to Iron Horse Square.
*Note – Sign at Stone St. will be independent & different from the basic historical signage for the walking trail. One of the sections will include information for nature lovers and another one will be about the minority community that pre-dates the founding of Mineola in 1873. A local sign company will produce the sign panels, local carpenter will be hired to build the structure with the help of local community volunteers, and a local metal fabrication company will be used to produce the metal roof.
Section 1 will describe the community established near this location south of the railroad around 1865. Local historians from this community will be included in the composition of this section. This section will acknowledge the many men from this area that worked for the railroad.
Section 2 will summarize the history of the Missouri Kansas and Texas Railroad ROW (right of way) from Mineola to Greenville (the sign’s location is on the MKT ROW). It will also entwine the history of the Texas & Pacific which ran parallel to it at that location.
Section 3 will give information about the plants along the MKT ROW. It will identify several plants as well as tell how the trees were used by the railroad to make crossties and burned to produce steam to power the early trains. Local knowledgeable nature enthusiasts as well as Texas Parks & Wildlife will be consulted on contents of this section.
Future Plans
Pedestrian Bridge over Union Pacific Railroad (12’x75’)
A foot bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad connecting Commerce Street parking with the Railroad Park will be added to allow foot traffic and bicycle traffic safe access to the depot and the railroad park. This foot bridge will also benefit Amtrak passengers waiting for their train. It will allow them to safely cross over the railroad tracks to dine and/or shop in Mineola and to return to the depot in time to board their train.
Access to the bridge will be switch-back ramps leading to the main bridge. The foot bridge will be a truss design. The only means at present for foot traffic to cross from Union Depot and Iron Horse Square is to walk over the Hwy 69 crossing (a major U.S. highway with heavy traffic).
Replica of Interlocking Tower #62 (13’x13’)
A replica of Mineola Interlocker #62, authorized by the Texas Railroad Commission in 1905 as one of the first interlockers constructed in the state of Texas, will be built by a local builder.
Procurement of switch levers, switches, pipes and rollers to bring the inside of the tower to true historical replication will be a top priority.
Train Car Museum
This will accommodate a Railroad Museum, Souvenirs and Concessions.
Park Amenities
Additional benches, trash receptacles and drinking fountains will be installed at various locations throughout the park to better accommodate the needs of park users. (Benches & trash receptacles similar to the metal ones in downtown Mineola)
For more information
call Doris Newman at 903-569-6183. Follow the Iron Horse Square Project on Facebook.