Entertainment

For generations, the towering rice dryers along Highway 90 have been a visual anchor in Katy. Now, families won’t just drive past them—they’ll ride around them.

The Katy Train is officially set to roll at The Dryer in Katy, introducing a rideable miniature railroad that loops around the entire historic property. For longtime residents who remember when the dryers symbolized Katy’s agricultural backbone — and for newer families searching for things to do in Katy this weekend — the addition marks a major milestone in the transformation of the site into a full-scale community destination.

Here’s what Katy families need to know about the Katy Train and how it will operate.

The Katy Train at The Dryer: A Rideable Railroad Experience in the Heart of Old Katy

The centerpiece of The Dryer’s newest expansion is the long-anticipated Katy Train, a rideable miniature railroad built on 900 feet of permanent 7.5-inch gauge railroad track encircling the base of the historic rice dryers at 5339 E. Third St., Katy, Texas 77493.

A 7.5-inch gauge railroad means the rails are spaced 7.5 inches apart — large enough to carry real passengers in scaled-down passenger cars pulled by a locomotive replica. Riders board “The Katy,” an engine replica complete with passenger cars, creating a live steamer-style train experience designed for both children and adults.

Unlike temporary carnival rides, this is a fixed-track railroad system constructed specifically to wrap around the entire rice dryer footprint. As the train makes its continuous loop, passengers experience a 360-degree, ground-level view of the 177-foot-tall J.V. Cardiff & Sons Rice Dryer — once the tallest rice dryer in the country and still the tallest structure in Katy, Richmond, and Rosenberg.

For families searching for unique things to do in Old Katy or family-friendly attractions in Katy, the Katy Train offers something distinctly local: a ride physically connected to one of the city’s most historic and recognizable landmarks.

Katy Train Soft Opening and Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The public debut of the Katy Train will unfold in two key March events.

March 14 – The Katy Train Soft Opening

During Old Katy’s Spring Market, guests will have an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to ride the Katy Train as part of the seasonal festivities.

March 21 – Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

• 2:00 PM – Official Ribbon Cutting
• 2:15 PM – Train rides begin

The ribbon cutting will feature local and renowned train expert Scott Sanders, marking the official launch of the rideable railroad experience at The Dryer.

Behind the scenes, crews have worked daily to lay track around the historic structure and prepare the train for safe, continuous operation. The launch represents months of coordination and careful construction to integrate the railroad into a site rooted in preservation.

For residents looking for spring break activities in Katy or March events in Old Katy, the launch of the Katy Train positions it as a highlight of the season’s local celebrations.

A Continuous Weekend Attraction for Katy Families

Following its official launch, the Katy Train will operate continuously every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, making it a recurring weekend attraction rather than a one-time novelty.

Both kids and adults can ride, creating a multi-generational experience where grandparents, parents, and children can board together. The train’s full loop around the dryers makes the ride part of the broader experience at The Dryer — pairing naturally with a Saturday visit to the Katy Farmers Market or an evening at the Katy Beer Garden.

For families searching for weekend activities in Katy or things to do nearby, the train offers a reliable and uniquely local experience that combines family fun with a meaningful connection to the city’s history.

Mobile Sidebar Ad

More Than a Ride: Connecting Katy’s Past to Its Future

The Katy Train does more than circle a landmark. It brings motion and activity back to a property that once sat silent for decades.

The site began in 1943 as the first concrete rice dryer in Texas. Rice production continued until 1987, after which the property remained unused. In 2021, a local developer purchased the site and began working alongside the Katy Heritage Society to restore and reimagine it for future generations.

As the train circles the silos, it becomes a moving reminder of Katy’s agricultural and railroad heritage — a new tradition built around an 80-year-old icon.

A Historic Landmark Reimagined in Katy

The Katy Train circles a site that has shaped the city’s identity for more than 80 years.

The story of the J.V. Cardiff & Sons Rice Dryer began in 1943, when the first concrete rice dryer in Texas was built on the property. An underground tunnel runs the full length beneath the original silo. Expansion followed in 1945, and in 1966 the Cardiffs completed the tallest rice dryer in the country at 177 feet—a structure that remains the tallest in Katy, Richmond, and Rosenberg today.

Rice production continued until 1987. After that, the property sat dormant for decades.

In 2021, local developer Andrew (Hadi) Nurcahya purchased the site and began working with the Katy Heritage Society to restore and reimagine it. Since then, The Dryer has evolved into one of the most talked-about redevelopment projects in Katy, Texas—anchored by the Katy Beer Garden and expanding into a multi-use destination that honors Katy’s rice farming history.

Most recently, crews completed a dramatic repainting of the 177-foot-tall historic structure—accomplished without elevators, using only ropes, harnesses, and sprayers high above the ground.

For longtime Katy residents, seeing fresh life breathed into the iconic silos has carried emotional weight. For Katy newcomers, it’s becoming part of what defines the community’s character and sense of place.

More Than a Train: What’s Happening at The Dryer

The Katy Train arrives alongside a growing list of experiences at 5339 E. Third Street, Katy, TX 77493.

Katy Farmers Market (Every Saturday)

The Katy Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, bringing back traditional fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy, baked goods, and more.

Shoppers can expect:

• Locally grown vegetables like carrots, cabbage, lettuce, kale, potatoes, onions, cauliflower, green beans, and okra
• Organic dairy including fresh milk, eggs, butter, and cheeses
• Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, blueberries, and strawberries
• Honey, preserves, juice, coffee, tea, baked goods, fresh meat, and plants

For residents searching farmers markets in Katy or fresh produce in Katy, The Dryer is becoming a consistent weekend stop.

Silo Sunrise Flow – Sunday Community Yoga

On select Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Silo Sunrise Flow invites residents to begin their morning beneath the historic rice silos with a 60-minute all-levels yoga session.

Held outdoors at The Dryer, the class is designed to be welcoming and community-centered. Participants bring their own mat, reserve space in advance, and gather under the golden morning light of Old Katy.

Upcoming dates include 3/15, 3/24, and 4/12.

Katy Beer Garden

Open daily until 2 a.m., the Katy Beer Garden features a 35,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor space shaded by 45-foot oak trees. With beer, wine, cider, cocktails, rotating food trucks, and a giant outdoor TV, it has become a favorite gathering place for families and friends.

Food trucks rotate every two weeks, currently featuring Texas BBQ, Mexican tacos, and American cuisine.

What’s Coming Next at The Dryer

The momentum isn’t slowing down.

Katy Rice Dryer Museum (Coming 2027)

In partnership with the Katy Heritage Society, a museum is planned at the base of the tallest rice dryer. The Katy Rice Dryer Museum will feature vintage agricultural artifacts, historic photographs, and tributes to local families.

Schools, clubs, and community groups will be able to arrange tours—ensuring younger generations understand Katy’s rice farming legacy.

Food Court, Restaurant, and Shopping Concepts

Plans are underway to introduce a diverse lineup of food and dining options at The Dryer, further expanding its role as a destination for families and visitors in Katy. Upcoming concepts include a local café and bakery, Fusion Grill featuring burgers and gourmet fries, Taqueria Tex-Taco, Jos’ Brisket, an Asian noodle concept, and a wood-fired pizza vendor.

Looking further ahead, developers are also planning what could become Texas’s first full-service restaurant inside a rice dryer. The bold concept would seat diners inside the original silos of Silo D, built in 1945, creating a one-of-a-kind dining experience rooted directly within Katy’s agricultural history.

A Katy Gift Shop is also under construction, with proceeds benefiting the Katy Heritage Society and preservation efforts.

Additionally, 16 vendor marketplace spaces inside air-conditioned shipping containers will soon be available for select local businesses.

Mobile Sidebar Ad

Why This Matters for Katy Families

For many residents, The Dryer’s evolution represents something larger than entertainment.

It reflects the preservation of Katy’s agricultural history and a renewed investment in protecting and celebrating the city’s historic landmarks. It also represents the continued growth of family-friendly attractions in Old Katy, along with expanded opportunities for local small businesses and new community gathering spaces.

As Katy continues to grow westward, projects like The Dryer anchor the city to its roots while creating new traditions.

With the Katy Train now circling the property, the image of children and grandparents riding together beneath the 177-foot rice dryer may become one of the most defining scenes of spring in Katy.

All aboard, Katy.

For updates on future openings at The Dryer and more community news in Katy, stay tuned with My Neighborhood News.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.