Kansas city trainwatching

[dwk054]

I will be in Kansas City Mo this summer can someone advise me of good spots a visitor can go to get pictures and videos of railroads in the Kansas City area

[CMStPnP]

dwk054

I will be in Kansas City Mo this summer can someone advise me of good spots a visitor can go to get pictures and videos of railroads in the Kansas City area

I am there every month and while I am not an avid train watcher, I can tell you both the best hotel as well as a good spot.    Best hotel is the Westin Crown Center across from Union Station because it is connected to a small shopping center (Crown Center) as well as Union Station via skywalk.   Additionally the Hotel Shuttle will drive you around town to locations within reason so you really do not need a rental car nor do you need to pay for parking downtown.    You just need to carry a cell phone.    Kansas City Union Station is also connected to the hotel by a skywalk and behind Kansas City Union Station and also connected to it is the Mike Haverty (KCS fame) Bridge which goes over the BNSF and UP mainlines through downtown and they average 1-2 trains every 20 min at certain times of the day.   Sometimes multiple trains at once.    You can film from the bridge over the tracks OR take the elevator down to the former Milwaukee Road Frieght House (now a series of restaurants) and film from there.

Now lets say you want to rent a car and go further out.  Well believe it or not there is a Hertz Rent A Car in the Westin Hotels Lobby and the cars are parked in the basement parking garage.    What could be more convinent?    The only issue your going to run into is the Westin Hotel rates are steep in the Summer unless you have a discount program (Marriott Hotels) or Veterans or AAA.    Also check your employers travel discount rates.     The hotel is excellent in all respects and you can even book a room with a view of the tracks if you ask for it though the view is limited.    You cannot beat the convience of this hotel though if you want to railfan KC......in my humble opinion.    Also, added convience across the street at Kansas City Union Station is also the last stop on the KC trolley system.

Across the street from KC Union Station and up a hill is the National World War I, Memorial and somewhere around there but I forget where near the drive in entrance is a trail marker for the Santa Fe Trail is a small concrete and stone type deal not more than knee high.    World War I Memorial is worth a visit as well.

Hotel is also right across the street from a Jimmy Johns Sub Shop that you can call up on your phone and order and they will deliver right to your hotel room.

[rdamon]

Santa Fe Junction is one of my favorites

https://goo.gl/maps/Zp3k6UcNNxH2

There are numerous yards and crossings around town, like most cities there are some places not to hang out. Take a look at the map and you can see some good viewing locations on major roads.

The food is as good if not better than the railfanning!

 

 

[MarknLisa]

On a warm summer day, get a pint and a table at the Boulevard Brewing tap room's deck. Can see busy BNSF a couple blocks away

[York1]

I echo CMStPnP's ideas.

You can't beat Union Station and the bridge over the tracks for train watching.  It's also kind of fun to watch the Amtrak passengers boarding there.  The hotels, shopping, Union Station, and other attractions are all within a short walk, all in enclosed walkways.

Another great site is the fairly new BNSF intermodal yard.

Here is a site with more info:  http://www.logisticsparkkc.com/intermodal-services/kansas-city-intermodal-facility/

I don't live in KC, but visit my grandkids often.  I went to their baseball games that were near the intermodal yard.  I watched the trains more than I watched baseball.  Long intermodal trains came by the baseball fields every few minutes.

If you ever go to KC around Christmas, be sure to see the Union Station's model railroad displays.  Just about every train scale on display, free admission, and lots of Christmas atmosphere.

[CMStPnP]

rdamon

Santa Fe Junction is one of my favorites

I'll have to check that out on my next visit, looks within a long walk from the Westin but hell..........I can get the hotel shuttle to drive there too.

[CMStPnP]

York1

If you ever go to KC around Christmas, be sure to see the Union Station's model railroad displays.  Just about every train scale on display, free admission, and lots of Christmas atmosphere.

Thats a year round display.

BTW, the KC food is OK but I have to be honest, Texas BBQ joints are far superior to anything in KC including Jack Stacks.   I ordered Burnt Tips at Jack Stacks and they were half blubber.   In Texas they trim most of that crap off instead of selling it for flavor.    Likewise in KC they have no clue how to cut beef brisket and you can't get the lean cuts...........it's loaded with grizzle and fat as well.

Most quality Texas BBQ joints cut brisket two ways as is intended so you have your choice of the sliced brisket with almost no fat if you ask........along with the marbeled.   I always go with the leaner cut so I don't blow up like the Good Year blimp by putting that fat on my bones.    In Dallas, Rudy's does a good job, other places as well........

https://rudysbbq.com/

 Babe's all you can eat Chicken is pretty awesome as well in the Dallas Suburb named after the Frisco Railroad.   You folks in the Plains states and Midwest are missing out.    Though I also love the Haufbrau haus in suburban Chicago (Rosemeade?)........great German Party place and fairly authentic beer hall experience I must say.

http://www.babeschicken.com/our-kitchens/frisco/

 

[samfp1943]

LPKC ( out by Gardner, Kansas);  Have watched that area grow over the last ten years. The yard there is a big destination, and origin for a lot of the intermodal trains that transit our home area (Wichita).

  KC bar-b-que joints; about any of them are good, different kinds, and varieties across the board.  Depends on personal tastes. I grew up in Memphis, so I am biased; Lots of the places around kansas cook the meat, and then add the sauce, as a side; I really prefer the basted[ while being smoked] kind.  But as I have been traveling to the KC area, eating out there has always been enjoyable. 

The railroading(?), pretty much as you can find it. Some have favorite 'roosts' for watching and photography, and food !                        The Argentine community {and large BNSF[nee; AT&SF)railyard,  is quite a place to visit, < http://www.bgrm.org/communities/6/004/005/354/746/images/4538337897_pre.jpg >  

The one thing that always seems to happen; we never have enough time to do all the things we want to when in KCK or KCM areas.

[rdamon]

BBQ can be as much as a debate as religion. Living in the South now, I usually try to avoid the debate (Especially with a Texan ). I grew up on Burt Ends at Smoke Stack and Gates.  There are also good steakhouses (I’ll avoid that debate too) and Italian.

A good Mexican food place is Ponak’s. It is right by the tracks.

http://www.ponaksmexicankitchen.com/