CEDAR PARK (KXAN) – The Cedar Park Steam Train is celebrating 20 years of scenic rides up and down the Hill Country this weekend.

Hundreds of folks got on board the steam locomotive and its restored passenger cars for a first-hand experience in the history of the steam-powered luxury train.

The engine, originally built in 1916, was part of Southern Pacific’s Texas-Louisiana line before being retired from service the first time in 1956.

Three decades later, the non-profit Austin Steam Train Association restored it to operating condition, restoring several era passenger cars to their original glamor.

The vintage locomotive is run by volunteers who say they love to bring a little joy into people’s lives.

“The little ones, the little people like it great,” said conductor Jimmy Burleson. “The elderly people say they reminisce of back in the days when of yore, when I was there and that was our mode of transportation.”

The 96-year-old  steam train departs on Saturdays and is open to the public.