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: Year-round, Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm
Price: $1/ride
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 - October
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.geocities.com/zephyr64118/KCNRR.htm
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. (Zoo Admission required as well. FREE Train Rides with Gold FOTZ Membership.)
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:
- Show Me Lines: 810 Main Street Grandview, MO. 816.966.1534
- Dad's Trains & Dad's Toys: 417 Delaware Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1786
- Doc's Caboose: 1400 Union Ave. Kansas City, MO. 816.471.7114
- Fred's Train Shop: 7327 W. 80th, Overland Park, KS 913.383.3500
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.