Diamond Don Empire

Diamond Don Events has been postponed.

By

3/14/20 UPDATE: The AHRMA Executive Committee and Race Directors have POSTPONED Diamond Don’s Vintage Motocross originally scheduled for April 2-5, 2020. We are working with AHRMA to reschedule for September or October. This announcement comes with great sadness as we were ready to go and had lots of support from our fellow racers, but we understand that the health and safety of our race community must come first.

The Diamond Don Empire family of companies, owned by Diamond Don Rainey and Francene DePrez Rainey, includes Diamond Don Racing, Diamond Don RV Park, Diamond Don Event Center and Historic Jefferson Railway.

Kirby Family Farms, Inc., a 501(c)3, is now the proud owner of the Robert E. Lee Steam Train

By

Francene and Diamond Don Rainey are very pleased to announce that Kirby Family Farms, Inc., a 501(c)3, is now the proud owner of the Robert E. Lee Steam Train. The train was moved from Six Guns Territory in Ocala Florida to Jefferson, in 1984 and has now found its way back to Florida. Kirby Family Farm is an entertaining, educating destination providing fun for all ages. Daryl and Tracy Kirby have the energy and resources to put the steam train back on the track. They already have several trains, so this steam train will be a good addition to their Family Farm attraction.

Don and Francene bought the train in 2002. After 17 years, the couple is ready to head into semi-retirement and wanted to find a home for the train where families could enjoy the ride. Daryl Kirby has wanted to own this train since he was ten years old. He and wife, Tracy, first started talking to the Rainey’s in 2014. It is a perfect match for this 1962 Crown Metal Products 4-4-0 Steam Train as Kirby Family Farm’s mission is “Helping children stay on track, or get back on track in life! Growing healthy children and families”. It’s all about the children, says Don and Francene. Their foundation, Jefferson Railway and Wetlands Foundation, supports affordable family-fun adventures, preserving railroading for generations to come and protecting the wildlife.

Historic Jefferson Railway plans to continue running their gas-powered locomotive on weekends and for special events.

Click the link below for the press release 

Six Gun Locomotive #7 Press Release 1-17-2020 (002)

2020 Calendar of Events

By

Dates, Events and Pricing are subject to change at any time.
Events may be cancelled or rescheduled due to weather or maintenance

March 14, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
St. Patrick’s Day Express – gas powered locomotive 
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Celebrate the Green aboard the St. Patrick’s Day Express. The historic depot will be decked out in green.

March 19 & 20, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
March Spring Break Special – gas powered locomotive 
Thursday and Friday Special Trains
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
2:30 Narrated Historical Day Tour
All riders, $10 plus tax

April 2-5, 2020
Diamond Don’s 18th Annual AHRMA International Vintage Motocross
International Vintage Motocross which includes Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, Cross Country and Trials on Friday, Vintage Motocross on Saturday with Post-Vintage on Sunday. 100cc & 200cc Revenge races on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend will be full of motocross legends from around the world. Come out and see Steve Wise, Trey Jorski, Guy Cooper and event legend Gary Semics. International legends from over ten countries come to this event.
www.DiamondDon.com

April 11. 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Easter Egg Express – gas powered locomotive 
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Come ride the Easter Egg Express and participate in an Easter Egg Hunt for children under 12.

May 1, 2020
Civil War Living History, “Day of Learning”, complete with a gunboat and cannons
9:00 – 2:30 at Diamond Don RV Park
Historic Jefferson Railway
The Great Locomotive Chase/The Andrews Raid (gas powered locomotive)
Train departs from Diamond Don RV Park
Friday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30
www.JeffersonCivilWarDays.com

May 2-3, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Train departs from downtown Jefferson Depot
The Great Locomotive Chase – The Andrews Raid Re-enactment -gas powered locomotive 
Complete with a gunboat and cannons
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours & Train Battle: 11:00, 12:30, 2:30, 4:00 and 5:30
Sunday Narrated Historical Day Tours & Train Battle: 11:30 and 1:00
Come experience the re-enactment of The Andrews Raid, the Civil War’s most gripping railroad story. The Train Battle of Port Jefferson joins the skirmish as a replica ironclad gunboat fires its cannons on the banks of the Big Cypress Bayou River. See the Living History Camps along the river. Re-enactors welcome at the Diamond Don RV Park.
www.JeffersonCivilWarDays.com

May 9, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Mother’s Day Express – gas-powered locomotive
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Mothers receive a 10% discount when accompanied by their children.

May 16-17, 2020
Jefferson Train Show – gas powered locomotive 
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Sunday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 2:00
Jefferson’s 9th Annual Train Show. Enjoy a train ride with historical narrative of the area. Each train includes a stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding. Four destinations: Jefferson Train Show, T&P Model Train Depot, Jay Gould Car and Historic Jefferson Railway. Train tickets available online. Tickets available at each venue during event weekend.
info@jeffersonrailway.com
www.JeffersonRailway.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   www.historicjeffersontrainshow.com

May 23, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Memorial Day Celebration at Historic Jefferson Railway– gas-powered locomotive
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Celebrate Memorial Day at the Historic Jefferson Railway as we begin our summer season. Come see the Support Our Troops display that honors the United States Military. Active Military personnel ride free.

June 20, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Father’s Day Express– gas-powered locomotive
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Fathers receive a 10% discount when accompanied by their children.

July 4, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
4th of July Weekend – gas-powered locomotive
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
For a revolutionary July 4th weekend celebration, climb aboard an antique narrow-gauge train for an excursion that circles the historic Piney Woods along the scenic Big Cypress Bayou as the history of Independence Day unfolds. Come see the Support Our Troops display that honors the United States Military. Active Military personnel ride free.

September 5, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Labor Day Celebration at Historic Jefferson Railway– gas-powered locomotive
Includes stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting)
Saturday Narrated Historical Day Tours: 12:30 and 2:30
Celebrate Labor Day at the Historic Jefferson Railway as we end our summer season. Come see the Support Our Troops display that honors the United States Military. Active Military personnel ride free.

September 12. 2020
2nd Annual Jefferson Antique Tractor Show
The main street in Jefferson will be closed to traffic to accommodate antique tractors and stationary antique engines. Event includes tractor parade, slow tractor race and lots of unique awards. Setup early on Friday starting at 2:00 and join in the Meet & Greet Dinner Social Friday evening for tractor owners and family at the Diamond Don RV Park & Event Center.
Antique small engine and working exhibits as well as vintage truck exhibitors also welcome. Free admission to the public.

September 25-27, 2020
36th Lake O’ Pines Norton Owners Association Rallye and Bike Show
The rallye draws more than 300 people displaying over 150 of the finest vintage motorcycles anywhere in the country. Join us at Diamond Don’s Motorsports & RV Park which is just one mile outside of Jefferson, Texas. Participate in Friday’s Field Events, display your bike in Saturday’s bike show and ride in the Rolling Concours. Come enjoy a weekend full of great entertainment and fun.
http://www.ntnoa.org

November 27-28, 2020
December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, and  26, 2020
Historic Jefferson Railway
Christmas Express (gas powered antique locomotive)
Narrated Day Trains will depart at 12:30 and 2:30
Depot opens at 11am
Make this a Christmas to remember aboard the Christmas Express Train. The ride aboard an antique narrow-gauge gas locomotive departs each day at 12:30 and 2:30. Passengers will enjoy vignettes along the Cypress Bayou River as they hear the story of Christmas Traditions.