Kansas City trains

[dstill]

I know trains are many in this area, where are the best places to go?

[Anonymous]

Wow!! Where do I start? Santa Fe Junction is great although construction is starting there on a couple of major projects(it is just south of Kemper Arena just east of the Kansas River). If you have a truck or don't mind taking your car on a bumpy dirt road, Rock Creek Jct. is another great spot with great train frequency. You can check out suburban railroading in Olathe, Kansas, as BNSF has two main lines going through, or Independence, Missouri which UP, KCS, and the occasional Missouri & Northern Arkansas wind through. You can check out the Norfolk Southern at Birmingham Jct. and along their yard in North Kansas City. The list is endless. Get a city map that includes rail lines and you are set. If you go anywhere near the Missouri River or in Kansas City, Kansas, it is best to go during the day, especially the morning, for safety.

[n2mopac]

I grew up around Kansas City. My own preference is to watch yard switching operations. Some of my favorite haunts in KC for this type of action are BNSF's 19th Street Yard just east and north of Kemper Arena(near the above mentioned Santa Fe Jct.), the industries around North Kansas City Yard along I-29 anywhere between the Missouri River and Armour Rd (210 hwy), and Argentine Yard along Kansas Ave and 42nd Street in KCK. As our friend said above, the possibilities in KC are simply endless.
Ron

[dstill]

I read about Santa Fe junction in magaizine last month, is it marked on city map? I read in book about west bottoms off I35 & 12th street. Thanks for above info.

[Anonymous]

Santa Fe Jct. is not marked on city maps(or most any other railroad jct. or yard). There are several ways to get there, but explaining them is difficult. I-35 to 12th St. only works if you are going southbound, I believe-then take 12th to Gennesse St. and take the west curve around Kemper Arena(big funky looking building south of I-70). Instead of heading up the curving ramp to 23rd St., take a right at the only street you can when you are almost past the arena. Follow it a couple hundred yards, and you'll see the tracks and tower. You can reach it from 23rd St. off of I-35 and from Southwest Blvd. as well. Locate Kemper Arena on the map and you will find it. I enjoy the yards as well especially the Norfolk Southern in N. KC accessible from I-35. Good Luck!