Brittany Kelley
WIMBERLEY — With spring looming in the distance, residents can begin to make plans outside. One opportunity, said 7A Ranch general manager Maengel Gonce, is taking a ride on the Pioneer Express Railroad.
The Pioneer Express is located inside 7A Ranch at Pioneer Town and began in 1971.
“Pioneer Town was just kind of an extension of 7A Ranch. It started with a cafe to have onsite for guests and then, it turned into a big creative vision with a full western town that became complete with the saloon, opera house, ice cream parlor [and] chapel … So, the Pioneer Express was just built out of that dream,” said director of operations Amanda Calaway.
The train departs the depot to take visitors through a scenic route on the property, with views of the Hill Country and a ravine, as well as traveling through several tunnels. Additionally, there is a story that is shared through the speakers on the train of the history and specific sites that the train is visiting.
Although the train was a crowd favorite, the original was sold in the early 2000s to the city of Gainesville, where it can still be found, said Calaway. But when the ranch changed ownership to Scott Way in 2016, he knew that he wanted to bring back the iconic attraction.
“He grew up visiting Wimberley as a kid and would spend time at 7A [Ranch] and Pioneer Town and always loved to hear the sound of the train, just like most locals around here,” explained Calaway. “The sound of the train horn was something special to him [and he wanted] to be able to bring it back for families to continue to enjoy.”
This mission led to years of locating a new train, fixing it up and relaying tracks for it to run on. In 2022, The Pioneer Express Railroad returned to Wimberley to the delight of residents.
Gonce emphasized that having the experience back is sentimental for residents. It’s gone through generations and generations, so those who rode it in the 1960s and 1970s as children are now able to bring their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she said.
A train ride is also not readily available in the area, said Calaway, unless someone wants to travel to New Braunfels or Austin, they can only receive this unique experience in Wimberley.
For Galaway, the train is a moment to relax and enjoy the Hill Country at its finest — with deer prancing and wildflowers blooming in the spring — while Gonce is always excited for the 180-degree view of the Hill Country over the ravine.
In the future, the two shared that they have big plans, but for now, “they’re all still just dreams.”
Tickets are sold at the front desk for $6. Kids 2 and under are free. To learn more about The Pioneer Express Railroad and Pioneer Town, visit www.7aranch.co/pioneer-town.
