I, and perhaps some of the other list members, have been on that line.  Not only does it still exist, but parts of it are a commuter line and other parts of it carry passenger excursion service (plus lots of gravel and stone).  Today's railroad also includes one end of the former SP Houston-Austin line, built by the Houston and Texas Central, which was attached to this segment some time after the balance of the H&TC line east of Giddings was abandoned.  

Ron Merrick