Railways have not signed contract *LINK*

Texas State, American Heritage still negotiating
March 9, 2007
Herald Staff Report
A March 1 story that said American Heritage Railways has been selected to take over and manage the Texas State Railroad is premature, according to the president of the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency.
"American Heritage Railways was selected as a contractor with whom to negotiate," Steve Presley said Wednesday by telephone. "No contract has been finalized. If we reach an acceptable contract, it still must be approved by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the state Legislature."
American Heritage Railways operates the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Paul Schranck, vice president and general manager of the D&SNGR, was quoted in a March 1 story as saying the Durango railroad had an operating-management contract with the Texas railroad agency. On Thursday, he said the contract had not been signed.
"We're working toward an agreement," Schranck said Thursday. "I never indicated we had a signed agreement."
An acceptable contract must be reached by Sept. 1, Presley said. Otherwise, the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Legislature have said that Texas State Railroad, an excursion line between Rusk and Palestine, will cease to operate.