Jefferson Train Depot: Case # 051907

Upon arriving in Jefferson, May 19th, 2007, the team met at The Cypress Coffee Shop to determine a plan for investigating the historic Jefferson Train Depot. After the meeting and deciding what equipment was needed, we headed to the depot. The place was small and most all of the team members were in attendance. We did a walk around and listened to some of the history on the place, such as where the old track doors laid and what claims of paranormal activity had been reported by others or experienced by staff.
One such allegation described orbs of light which varied in color and size and were seen in the woods surrounding the Train Depot. Another claim reported that toys in a wagon were often seen out of place in other areas of the building inside of the depot.
We then decided to set up our equipment. Some of the equipment that was used during this investigation included digital voice recorders, two Sony handycam camcorders with night vision, two IR illuminators, three digital cameras and a camcorder with a trip light. We also used a Gauss Meter to determine how well the building was wired. Since it was an older building that had been moved in, we wanted to make sure that the electrical wiring was not producing any Electro Magnetic Fields. The team also did temperature readings and noted where there were reflective areas in the rooms.
While we investigated, three Train Depot staff members waited outside. We went ‘lights out’ and began taking pictures as well as doing some EVP work. It never was totally quiet as the place was so small that we couldn’t help but hear everyone speak at times when they needed. Certain lights on the windows were soon determined to be from the IR or from a team member’s laser on her camera. Pictures produced some impressive specks of dust or reflections from the many glass surfaces in the depot.
We decided about 30 min into the initial investigation that we would go on the Haunted Train Ride for a tour of the woods and hear a bit of history surrounding the Cypress River and when Jefferson was a boom town. As we departed, we left most equipment running/recording which ranged from digital voice recorders and video cameras.
The train ride was nice and pleasant. The conductor told us some of the personal experiences that he believed to be paranormal, such as seeing red lights in the trees or a half bodied apparition out of the corner of his eye.
After the train ride, we decided to go on a trek into the woods to examine an abandoned train car. Four team members decided that climbing aboard this box car was something we definitely wanted to do as we felt it held the most promise for paranormal activity. We had cameras in hand and recorders ready. We did EVP work and took pictures. We also had a video camera with us so that we could record any activity. Unfortunately, nothing was captured. We were told that the windows had all recently been changed out and this change seemed to be the conductor’s reasoning behind us not experiencing activity. We walked along the tracks and heard a few snapping twigs and rustling in the trees but nothing paranormal was experienced.
Upon arriving back at the depot, we all took stock of our equipment and headed to the Cypress Café. The team decided the best course of action in reviewing the evidence during the next week. Once all evidence was reviewed, nothing paranormal was found. Therefore, Tyler R.I.P. can not say at this time that the train depot is haunted. However, we are also not saying that it is not haunted. It just happened that during this investigation no evidence was collected to prove a haunting. A second investigation may be needed.

You can check out Historic Jefferson Train Depot by visiting their website at www.jeffersonrailway.com.