The Texan at Houston, Texas in 1953.
(Photo by Roger S. Plummer, SMU Digital Library, no restrictions)
TEXAN
The Texan was a Missouri Pacific Railroad passenger train jointly operating with the Texas and Pacific between St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, and Houston, Texas. It was first and foremost a baggage and express train, running from 1928 until 1960.
The train would depart St. Louis at 2:01 pm and arrive in San Antonio the next day at 4:50 pm. When the train reached Palestine, Texas, it split into two sections with one section going to Austin and San Antonio and the other section to Houston.
A partial route map showing where the train split into two sections.
(Unknown, W. Lenheim Collection)
The Texas & Pacific's Texan at Belt Junction, June 22, 1952. Photo by Roger S. Plummer. (University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Museum of the American Railroad.)
The Texas and Pacific's Texan, train No. 15 westbound, headed by Engine No. 715, a type 4-6-2 locomotive, pulls into the Dallas Union Terminal Station in 1948. Photo by Roger S. Plummer. (University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Museum of the American Railroad.)
An ink blotter ad for the Texan advertising Though Sleeper Service, Sun Room Lounge-Observation Car,
Dining Car Service for All Meals, Automatic Block Signals and Oil-burning Locomotives.
(Missouri Pacific Lines, Public Domain, W. Lenheim Collection)
A panoramic view of the Texan (left) at the Texas & Pacific station, November 1, 1931.
(University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Grace Museum.)
Overview
Service type: Inter-city rail
Status: Discontinued
Locale: Midwestern United States/Southwestern United States
First service: 1928
Last service: 1960
Successor: Inter-American (train)
Former operators: Missouri Pacific Railroad, Texas and Pacific Railway
Route Termini: St. Louis, Missouri / San Antonio, Texas; Houston, Texas
Stops: 18 (St. Louis–San Antonio)
Stops: 17 (San Antonio–St. Louis)
Average journey time: 14 hours 49 minutes (St. Louis–San Antonio)
Service frequency: Daily
Train numbers: 15 (Westbound)
On-board services
Seating arrangements: Reclining seat coach
Sleeping arrangements: through sleeper
Technical
Track gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Operating speed: 50.8 mph (St. Louis–San Antonio)
Track owner: Missouri Pacific Railroad