Katy Texas Rideable Miniature Train Set to Open Mid-March Downtown
A rideable miniature train at Katy's historic Dryer property opens March 14, with a ribbon-cutting March 21 and $3 tickets for three laps around the grounds.
Downtown Katy's most recognizable historic landmark is about to get a whole lot louder. The Katy Train, a rideable model train circuit around The Dryer property at 5339 3rd Street, kicks off with a soft opening on March 14, 2026, followed by a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 21 at 2:00 p.m. Rides start rolling approximately 15 minutes after the scissors close.
Tickets run $3 for three laps around the property. The train will operate during the weekly Farmer's Market held every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Dryer, meaning riders can grab produce and then catch a circuit around the grounds in the same visit.
"The Katy Train is officially getting ready to roll and will be operating around the entire property," said Hadi (Andrew) Nurcahya, the developer behind The Dryer project. "Our crew has been working hard every single day behind the scenes to bring this to life and it's finally here."
Nurcahya purchased The Dryer in 2021 with plans to convert the historic site into a full entertainment district. The second phase of that renovation has hit headwinds: denied approvals have stalled several improvements, including adding permanent restroom facilities for event attendees. The Katy Train represents a tangible forward step while the larger redevelopment waits on regulatory clearance.
The train itself ties into something deeper than just a Saturday ride. Katy has a genuine railroad history, and the attraction is positioned explicitly as a nod to that heritage. On the governance side, the City of Katy's Historic Preservation Advisory Group is expected to be formed by the end of April 2026. That group will work to create ordinances establishing a Historic Preservation Commission tasked with overseeing The Dryer's ongoing development.
For a project navigating the slow grind of approvals, the Katy Train gives the Farmer's Market crowd something concrete to experience right now, at a property that has been promising more for five years.
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