Trains in Manhattan Kansas area

[dstill]

I am planning a trip to Manhattan ,Kansas later in the year and would like to know what rairoads are in the area.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how far you are willing to travel. The U.P. is the only road in Manhattan. The Kansas-Pacific line runs through there but not with a whole lot of trains. You can take a short (about a hour) trip north to Marysville & see about 60-70 trains a day on U.P.'s Marysville Sub.
About a hour east will take you to Topeka & there you can catch the Marysville Sub. again & all kinds of BNSF as well.
Head west 30 min. or so & in Abilene you can see the occasional BNSF train & more of the U.P.'s K-P line with the Kansas & Oklahoma running between Abilene & Salina.
And here in Salina (about a hour west of Manhattan) the U.P.'s K-P line again with quite a bit of local traffic originating & terminating at the yard. Salina is a crew change point so all the coal trains (loaded & emty) stop here. We also have the previously mentioned K&O (ex-Central Kansas) & Kyle railroads, though Kyle is usually only seen during harvest at night or very early morning.
There used to be alot more (the MOP, KATY, Rock Island & BN to name a few) but they were well before I moved here. You can still see the Rock's old right-of-way around Manhattan if you look hard enough.
Hope at least some of this helps & I hope you enjoy your stay here in Kansas.
Matt

[dstill]

Thanks for the info.

[Anonymous]

No problem, glad I ciould help.
Matt

[dstill]

Topeka definitely looks good for both UP and BNSF. Can you recommend good viewing locations?

[Anonymous]

Unfournately, no. I do know that if you get off I-70 at I think 3rd st. (look for Amtrak sign), you'll find your self right by the BNSF backshops. I don't get to Topeka very often, just pass through mostly, but with a little exploration & a good map I don't think you'll have much trouble at all finding good spots.
Matt

[dstill]

Thank you again for the info

[Anonymous]

Once again, you're quite welcome. And if you don't mind me asking, where are you coming from & what is bringing you to Manhattan?
Matt

[dstill]

Waxhaw, NC, My wifes sister has just been transferred from Japan to Fort Riley.

[Anonymous]

Hey, I was stationed at Riley 11 years ago. That's what brought me to Kansas in the first place. They have a pretty good sized railhead there, though it's really only used during major exercises & of course actual deployments.
Matt