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Railroads have always had and important part in the economy of Hughes Springs and continue to do so. The first railroad, East Line & Red River, a narrow gauge line came through this area in 1877-78 from Jefferson to Greenville. Hughes Springs in its strategic location near bountiful supplies of iron ore, timber, and farm products became an important shipping point. This business increased as the railroad extended its line into McKinney, Texas and from Jefferson to the Louisiana state line connecting with the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad.
In 1881, Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad bought the narrow gauge line and operated the train service until 1922 when the line was sold to Louisiana Railway & Navigation Company. Ownership changed again in a few years when Louisianan & Arkansas Railway purchased the line. Later, Kansas City Southern bought the railroad and still operate it.
The narrow gauge line was made into a standard gauge line in the 1880's by M K & T Railroad. Tow more tracks were added to the yard in 1901 making four new tracks in the west yard. At the same time, the railroad pond was built and a dam made. The elevated pond by means of gravity kept the water tank filled. The tank was located at the coal chute and engine roundhouse south of the old school house. The three or four stall roundhouse had a turntable on which engines were turned. An incline about 25 or 30 feet high with 10 or 12 hoppers were kept filled with coal for steam engines.
When a steam engine came in, ashes and clinkers were removed from the engine fire box. Clinkers were the partially-burned lumps of poor grade coal or coke which had melted and run together. Long rods with hooks for cleaning the fire boxes were known as clinker rods. Some times a fireman had to clean his box on the road, usually at water tanks. Very often between coal chutes, the fireman used up all the coal he could reach with a scoop. In that case, he had to get upon the back of the coal tender and shovel more coal down. Many times the head brakeman would shovel coal down for the fireman.
Hughes Springs was designated as a railroad terminal for many years. Both day and night trains operated daily each way from Dallas to Shreveport through Hughes Springs.
The M K & T Railroad had a two story building for a depot and restaurant located at the intersection of Ward Street and the railroad, in the present vicinity of Lyon=s Cafe. The dining room had nice tables for guests, and a large round counter open 24 hours each day. The depot and restaurant were in continuous operation until destroyed by fire in 1914. A new depot was built west of Taylor Street crossing and remained in business until dismantled in 1966. The restaurant was not rebuilt.
At passenger train time, the town population came to see who all got on and off the train, get a newspaper and wait at the post office for the mail to be put up.
Kansas City Southern, present railroad in Hughes Springs has kept pace with the times even though it has seen hard years when it looked as if they pay car might not run on schedule. That was true especially in the late 1920's and early 1930's for most all railroads.
K C S was one of the first to change fuel from coal to oil. A few years later the old familiar steam engine was abandoned for more powerful, streamlined diesel engines that were much easier on the track and much cheaper to operate.
With the passing of the old steam engine, a great part of history and early day traditions were laid to rest, only to be recalled at a more leisurely time.

(Mr. T. H. Henderson provided this information about railroads in Hughes Springs.)