TEX Rail still 2 years out, but it is rolling

Building TEX Rail has finally started — at least ceremonially.

It’s been a long time coming, but the commuter rail service between downtown Fort Worth and the northern terminals at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport will certainly be welcome when the passenger cars finally begin to roll in 2018.

Kickoff ceremonies were held Wednesday, as leaders from Fort Worth, Grapevine and North Richland Hills rode the route on a train pulled by a vintage 1953 diesel engine.

Modern, self-propelled cars for the service are on order for the beginning of service in two years.

Residents and drivers along the 27-mile route will first see new construction on the tracks themselves.

Then work will begin on the nine stations, and a maintenance facility will be built in north Fort Worth near a station in the Mercantile area.

Grapevine and North Richland Hills are forward-thinking in joining TEX Rail, not only for the benefits to their commuting residents but for anticipated development near the rail stations.

This story was originally published August 24, 2016 at 6:31 PM with the headline "TEX Rail still 2 years out, but it is rolling."