The story of the train that once ran through George Bush Park and connected the ranches in Barker and Katy to Houston

This interpretive poster with an old black-and-white photograph of a steam-engine-drawn train and people on top, erected on the edge of the equestrian area parking lot, tells the tale of the small-gauge rail line that in pioneer days traversed the area now known as George Bush Park and connected it to Houston, which was then but a small town on the Bayou. 

A train one ran through the ranchland that is now wilderness

Relics and reminders of life before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

built the dam and converted the ranch land to a reservoir can be seen throughout 

the wilderness area; some even along the paved trails running through the reservoir.

For those interested in the role railroad played in the settlement and development of the area, there is a railroad museum in nearby Richmond, TX, Fort Bend County, which may be worth a day trip.

A surviving specimen of a full-sized Southern Pacific steam locomotive can be seen in Downtown Houston. It is on display on a lot between George R. Brown Convention Center and MinuteMaid Ballpark Stadium.

Southern Pacific Steam Engine at site of future Nau Center

at MinuteMaid Park and Downtown Houston Convention Center

Houston Farm and Ranch Club at Patterson Road off SH-6

The Houston Farm and Ranch Club participates each year in the Downtown Parade that kicks off Rodeo Season. This photos are from the 2014 parade.

Gate to Houston Farm & Ranch Club grounds and facilities on Patterson Rd
off Highway 

Old fire engine parked in meadow

Iconic Texas Longhorn grazing

Where to see longhorns with really long horns: 
George Ranch near Richmond off 59.
There are some at Houston Farm and Ranch in Bear Creek Park too, but they are not as majestic.

Grazing black-and-white longhorn cattle with country church in the background

Longhorn cattle at Houston Farm and Ranch Club pasture near Bear Creek Community Center

Farm and Ranch Club Trail Ride Wagon at the Rodeo Parade

Houston Rodeo Kick-off Parade Downtown on Louisiana Street - Saturday February 23, 2013