I am a bit humbled and apprehensive of going to Kansas City to railfan. I’ve flown through, but never been on the ground outside of the airport… and the sheer quantity of interesting junctions and lines that I see in my SPV has my head spinning.
I figured by now I’d have an idea where I’m going… but apart from staying at the Westin Crown (just a skybridge walk away from Union Station) for the beginning and end of the 5 days, I’m not sure what I’m doing.
I have the “West Bottoms” as an option close to the hotel… and I have Birmingham Junction as a definite spot to visit in my rental car. Paola on the Kansas Side is an option if I want to head out of town. I also see the possibility of maybe heading north up UP’s line to their Nebraska 4-track main… but I doubt I’ll get that far.
Are the places I’ve picked good or hype? Any great spots I need to catch around KC that I missed?
Thanks…
To get to Birmingham Junction you will take MO highway 210, if you continue east on 210 for about 30 minutes you can turn onto MO route T and go to Camden MO or CA Juntion, here the Transcon and NS line pass within view of each other. I have spent many hours near this location watching the parade go by at 60 mph.
Closer to town is the transon as it leaves or enters the Argentine yard. There are several good watch spots off of 87th St and Woodland drive in Shawnee, KS.
Finally I would not miss Parkville MO. It is on the BNSF line from Lincoln to Kansas City. It is singletracked right through the downtown. Catch a bite to eat and watch the trains pass. Rarely have I been there for more than 45 minutes without seeing a train.
As you can probably tell, I mainly watch the BNSF, but there are many other spots in KC to watch KCS, UP or the KC Terminal.
Awesome - thanks Chris for the tip on Parkville. I was looking for something up closer to Nebraska and this sounds like it’ll fit the bill.
Thx too for Argentine - I figured I might go there, but the streets help immensely.
I’m definitely more of a BNSF fan as well (longtime resident of Spokane on the High Line transcon), and I’ve signed up for their Rail Safety program in case my train watching activities look suspicious to anyone.