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Railroad Partners, Inc. is a Texas based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic rail corridors.

The mission of Railroad 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.

July 4 NARCOA Motorcar Run on the Llano Branch

Llano Branch Work Session - Details

November 2, 2009 After extended negotiations with Capitol Metro Transportation of Austin, Texas by the founding members of Railroad Partners, Inc. (RPI), a lease agreement has been signed for 27 miles of track on the west end of the Llano branch. The leased portion extends from Scobey Spur to the end of track in Llano, TX. The lease became effective on November 1, 2009. RPI will provide light maintenance of the line and will conduct motorcar excursions and rail safety exercises. Maintenance will be conducted primarily by RPI trained volunteers. RPI, a NARCOA affiliate and 501(c)3 non-profit, was formed in October of 2008 for the purpose of preserving rail corridors for public transportation and recreational (motorcar) purposes. The organization is modeled after the Recreational Railroad Coalition in California who gave the RPI founders the inspiration to attempt to preserve threatened rail corridors. Since its founding, RPI has worked to provide Operation Lifesaver presentations, participated in Capitol Metro's rail transit safety programs, acquired rolling stock, and made rail safety and preservation presentations at public events. In addition, RPI has hosted 3 motorcars excursions in which proceeds are used to fund RPI mission activities. We are currently working with rail transportation districts across Texas to offer our volunteer services to promote and preserve marginal or threatened rail lines.  We are also in need of your voluntary labor and your monitary donations to further our efforts at preserving the Llano Branch and other marginal rail lines. The Llano Branch has not seen routine operations in over two years. It will take some ongoing light maintenance efforts to keep the line in good shape for motorcar operations. Three NARCOA motorcar runs have been announced for 2010, see details below. There will be work-sessions prior to each of these runs. We are seeking NARCOA certified and insured operators to assist with line maintenance prior to each of these NARCOA runs. Watch this web page for announcement of work session dates. Planned NARCOA runs on the Llano Branch for 2010: July 4, 2010 - TX Capitol Metro Transportation - ex SP Llano branch Summer Run - Railroad Partners, Inc. is pleased to sponsor a motorcar excursion over the ex SP Llano branch. This is a scenic stretch of track that parallels the Llano River and crosses the Colorado River on Lake LBJ. There will be abundant wildlife and open range vistas. Participants will travel from Llano, TX, through Kingsland, TX to Scobey Spur; a round trip distance of approx 54 mi. Trip fees are $ 40.00, payable to Railroad Partners, Inc. All trip fees paid will be directly applied to RPI's non profit activities.  This is a NARCOA insured excursion and all NARCOA rules apply. Hy-rails welcome. For trip details or lodging information, contact: Excursion Coordinator Leland Stewart 10057 Palomino Canyon Converse, TX 78109 (210) 863-5397. October 30, 2010 - TX Capitol Metro Transportation - ex SP Llano branch Fall Run - Railroad Partners, Inc. is pleased to sponsor a motorcar excursion over the ex SP Llano branch. This is a scenic stretch of track that parallels the Llano River and crosses the Colorado River on Lake LBJ. There will be abundant wildlife and open range vistas. Participants will travel from Llano, TX, through Kingsland, TX to Scobey Spur; a round trip distance of approx 54 mi. Trip fees are $ 40.00, payable to Railroad Partners, Inc. All trip fees paid will be directly applied to RPI's non profit activities.  This is a NARCOA insured excursion and all NARCOA rules apply. Hy-rails welcome. For trip details or lodging information, contact: Excursion Coordinator Leland Stewart 10057 Palomino Canyon Converse, TX 78109 (210) 863-5397.

June 25, 2009 Railroad Partners, Inc. (RPI), has been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to RPI are therefore tax-deductible, retroactively to the date of its formation, Sept. 15, 2008. RPI's income is also tax-exempt, although RPI will be required to file an annual "postcard" return. Furthermore, RPI is now eligible to apply for exemption from Texas sales taxes on materials purchased to carry out exempt activities and to request exemption from Texas franchise taxes. This is an important milestone for RPI and will enhance our ability to partner with railroads, community groups, local governments and other entities that might be able to donate resources to a tax-exempt organization. To review the letter granting RPI its tax-exempt status, click here.

RPI President Leland Stewart (left) and Treasurer Edward Michal manned a table on behalf of Capital Metro at the UT Community Fair in east Austin on Saturday, February 14. They distributed flyers about Cap Metro's new Metrorail service starting up on March 30, 2009, as well as Operation Lifesaver brochures and promotional items. They were rewarded with a host of new acquaintances interested in the new Metrorail service and the OL rail safety message.

RPI Director Edward Michal gave his first two Operation Lifesaver presentations about Capital Metro's forthcoming Metrorail system on November 3, 2008, at Becker Elementary School in south Austin. Operation Lifesaver (OL) is a railroad-supported program to decrease the number of highway-rail and pedestrian-rail fatalities. Ed is RPI's first certified OL presenter and hopes to do more presentations on behalf of the Grassroots Rail Outreach Working (GROW) Group. The GROW Group is an interagency group organized by Capital Metro to address safety issues posed by the impending Metrorail service. RPI encourages its members to become OL presenters and associates. Contact Ed Michal at edwardmichal@yahoo.com for further information about volunteering to help Operation Lifesaver.