Hofheinz's Famous Railcar To Be Featured On Strange Inheritance

HOUSTON, TX —Judge Roy Hofheinz has long been a familiar name in Houston, and that’s especially true when there’s talk of the Houston Astrodome and the Astroworld amusement park that closed in 2005.

The man who brought the Astros into existence and built the first domed stadium that was long referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, was also a bit of a train enthusiast.

Three years after the Astrodome opened, Hofheinz built Astroworld, which included an authentic train that traveled the circumference of the amusement park — known as the 610 Limited.

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Hofheinz commissioned Harper Goff, who designed sets for such movies as Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, to design a private rail car that would carry him and his VIP guests around the one-mile loop around Astroworld, according to the Fox Business Network.

The train was a familiar sight to park goers until it closed in 2005.

So where is the famed railcar?

Where is that amazing custom-built relic complete with wet bar, marble bathroom and stained glass windows?

That’s the subject of Monday’s episode of Strange Inheritance, which airs on the Fox Business Network at 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

For 41-years the railcar has sat undisturbed in a south Houston warehouse built by Robert Harper’s father in the 1970s.

Harper’s father bought the railcar from the Hofheinz estate in 1992, and in 2012, when his father passed away, Harper inherited the snazzy custom-built car.

Harper is hoping he can attract a buyer on Strange Inheritance.

Image: Courtesy Fox Business Network: Strange Inheritance Host Jamie Colby talks with railcar owner Robert Harper about it’s once famous owner.

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