This weekend I’m going to ride Amtrak’s St. Louis Mule with my parents from Independence, Missouri to St. Louis. Then a couple days later we’re going to come back to Independence on the Kansas City Mule. Can anyone tell me whose tracks the Mule runs on? Do they run on a Class 1’s tracks or does Amtrak own the route? Also, I’d like to know about traffic density on the route.
Finally, I’ve heard that the station in Independence is a really old station but that it may have been turned into a museum. Is that correct?
Thanks, and say a prayer that our train doesn’t derail![:D]
The Mules run on the former MP (now UP) between Kansas City and St. Louis. This was a lightly used line in the past but traffic has picked up over the years.
My wife and I rode the Mule from Kansas City to St. Louis a couple of years ago. There were delays because UP was working on the line. If your final stop is in St. Louis, I highly recommend the Railroad museum. It’s actually in Kirkwood, MO, and their phone number is (314) 965-7998. Website is http://www.museumoftransport.org/
The station in Independence has been restored to original condition around the time that Harry Truman lived in Independence. I would not necessarily call it a museum but it does have some artifacts and things. Hope you have a good ride.
Independence station is great. If it houses a museum, that’s news to me.
For the eastbound trip, try to sit on the left side of the car. That’s the side the river is on as far as Jeff City, and as I recall, your best chance of seeing opposing train traffic.
It is a really great trip!! I have taken it from St. Louis going to Knob Noster many times. There is some really neat stuff in Sedalia so keep a good eye out the window. Last I remember traffic was pretty heavy, mostly coal. There is also a really cool MoPac depot in Warrensburg. As you go through Kirkwood, keep an eye out for the museum mentioned above. Have a great trip!!