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Trains in Kansas City

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Children, young and old, love trains. Screaming in the tunnels, listening to the rhythm of the tracks, and waving at passersby… memories of train rides are a highlight of childhood. Kansas City is home to several affordable train rides for families. This list of outdoor train rides is sure to delight your Little Engineers.

 

Agricultural Hall of Fame Train

About: This is a narrow gauge miniature train. (630 Hall of Fame Dr. Bonner Springs, KS 913.721.1075)

When:  Call for hours.
 

Web: www.aghalloffame.com

 

Belton Grandview & Kansas City Railroad

About: The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a short line passenger railroad and demonstration museum. The BG&KC offers excursions running south from Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip. Special events include Hot Dog Train Rides, Music Train Rides, and Pumpkin Rides.

Where: Belton Depot on Walnut Street in Downtown Belton, Missouri

Season: May - December

When:  See Site for details.

Price: Unknown at time of publication

Web: http://www.beltonrailroad.org

 

Kansas City Northern Railroad

About: The three restored G-16 open air trains operate on ½ mile of track. The trains include one of the original Kansas City Zoo trains, a Manhattan Zoo train, and a New York Zoo train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel.

Where: Line Creek Park N.W. 60th St and Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, Missouri

Season: First Weekend of May – Last Weekend of September

When:  Saturdays 10am-6pm, Sundays 12pm – 6pm

Price: 50cents/ride or 10 rides for $4.50

Web: www.KCNRR.com

 

Kansas City Zoo Train

About: The zoo features an open air large scale train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel.

Where: Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri

Season: Year round

When:  Daily if the weather is above 50 degrees, 9:30am – end of day.

Price: $2.50/ea.

Web: http://www.kansascityzoo.org

 

Midland Railway

About: The Midland Railway operates excursion trains on a line originally constructed in 1867. Train rides feature an over-20-mile round trip from Baldwin City via "Norwood, Kansas" to Ottawa Junction, Kansas, traveling through scenic Eastern Kansas farmland and woods via vintage railway equipment. The Midland Features special events: Easter Egg Hunt Train, Day out with Thomas the Train, Maple Leaf Festival, Halloween Trains and rides with Santa.

Where: Midland Railway Depot, 11th and High Street, Baldwin City, Kansas

Season: June – October (special events for Easter, Halloween and Christmas as well)

When:  Thurs, Sat, Sun, Holidays and special events (see site for specific times)

Price: $5-15/adults (12 and over) $3-7/child (2-11) (price varies for route/package)

Web: midland-ry.org

 

#6....BONUS Outings:

Trains Deliver Your Lunch at Fritz's Railroad Restaurant!

Three Locations: 2450 Grand Blvd # 1, Kansas City, MO. 816.474.4004 

or 250 N 18th St, Kansas City, KS. 913.281.2777

or 13803 W. 63rd St., Shawnee, KS. 913.375.1000

This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model Trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant delivering burgers and fries to your table. Little Engineers love the train decor and delight in the novelty! www.fritzskc.com

 

Great Plains Train Station: Model Train Display!

Details: Located on the southeast corner of the Great Mall of the Great Plains (I-35 and 151st St in Olathe, KS). Open Thurs & Fri 5-9pm, Sat. 10am-9pm, and Sun Noon-6pm. Watch over 6500 square feet of model trains; wall to wall and ceiling to the floor. Admission is FREE!

Model Train Shops:

Day Trip: Atchison Rail Museum and Train Rides

    Details: 200 S. 10th Street, 913.367.6238. Open Daily (10am-4pm Sat, noon-4pm Sun). Train Rides are Free / Donations Accepted. The Train Rides are seasonal (April-Oct. 31) For information see www.nekr.org.

    Children love riding the 12” gauge train and the seats are large enough for mom and dad too! The local club runs a model Steam Train and a Gas Electric train. After riding the train, we explored the historic rail cars and engines including a Steam Locomotive Engine, more than one Caboose, Passenger Cars, Freight Cars, and a Snow Plow. Read our tips on a great Family Day Trip to Atchison.

 

Vacation: Caboose Junction on Tablerock Lake

   Details: Caboose Junction is a resort in Lampe, Missouri, just 30 minutes from Silver Dollar City in Branson. If you're looking for a fun place to stay during your next Branson Vacation, check out Caboose Junction.

    On Tablerock Lake, just 30 minutes from Silver Dollar City, tucked in the woods in Lampe, Missouri, you'll find one of the most unique places to stay in Missouri. If your children love trains, if your family loves unique, and if you enjoy an outdoor experience, but don't want all the work of camping (and would like a flushing toilet and shower).... Caboose Junction is a great place to stay! Read our Review of Caboose Junction for more details.

    AND... You can also camp in a Caboose in Missouri at KOA Campgrounds in Eureka (near St. Louis), and Cruces' Cabooses in Windsor (near Truman Lake and 30 min. from Sedalia, home of the Missouri State Fair).

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