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Kansas Train Rides
 With more than 4800 miles of track, Kansas ranks third in total state route-miles. During the states history, the dominate rail line was the Sante Fe, but it also included the former Missouri Pacific and Kansas Pacific railroads. The first railroad, the Leavenworth, Pawnee & Western, was charter in 1855, which later became the Union Pacific. America's first streamlined train was the UP's M-10000, whose first revenue assignment was between Salina, Kan. and K.C., Mo.
Amtrak's Chicago-Los Angeles Southwest Chief traverses the state, making several stops along the way, mostly at night. Scenic train rides in Kansas can be found on the Abilene & Smoky Valley and at the Midland Railways. The Kansas Museun proudly displays the state's oldest surviving Santa Fe locomotive, an 1880, 2-8-0, the "Cyrus K. Holliday," named after the ATSF founder. Occasionally it would be seen in films and an episode of the television series Gunsmoke. The 90 minute, 10 1/2 mile round trip excursion train ride aboard the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's newly refurbished Santa Fe No. 3415 is truly a spectacular sight as it glides through rolling Smoky Hill River valley from Abilene to Enterprise. School field trips, private charters, dinner trains, and Silver Flyer Rail Bus trips run from April - October. Two round trip cab rides are available on each steam excursion.The 3415, a 1919 Baldwin built 4-6-2, is the only operating steam locomotive in the state of Kansas and is only one of three operational former Santa Fe steam locomotives. Train rides consists include a 1902 wood KATY passenger car, converted to a dining car, two open air gondola cars, with canopy tops and a caboose. The Midland Railway operates scenic trains on a line originally constructed in 1867. The one-hour scenic train rides make a 20-mile round trip, crossing two 200 foot trestles from Baldwin City via "Norwood, Kansas" to Ottawa Junction, Kansas, traveling through scenic Eastern Kansas farmland and woods via vintage railway equipment. Children can enjoy a twenty five minute Thomas the tank train ride aboard the "Day Out With Thomas" the Tank Engine. Check the events page. The Santa Fe depot was built in 1910-1911 to replace a wood depot. The museum features railroad memorabilia from a private collection, from items found within the depot, and other items that have been donated or loaned. There is also an HO gauge model train display.
TOPEKA GREAT OVERLAND STATION Museum with displays of Santa Fe and Union Pacific exhibits. Model G gauge train layout. KANSAS MUSEUM OF HISTORY Kansas Museum of History displays the #132 "Cyrus K. Holliday," with a tender and two 1880s coaches. The "Holliday" performed under steam at local celebrations, fairs and other events until 1961. Occasionally it would be seen in films and an episode of the television series Gunsmoke. The two coaches have been restored to their one-time use as a 1920s drover's car and a 1910s division superintendent's car. SCAMMON  Heart of the Heartlands offers weekend scenic train rides, motor car rides and depot museum. Operation is seasonal.
The Great Plains Transportation Museum includes outdoor displays of locomotives, cabooses and cars. Featured engines include the Santa Fe No. 3768, Northern class 4-8-4 built by Baldwin in 1938, and a 1967 Santa Fe FP45 diesel No. 93. The museum is open year-round on Saturdays. Sundays, April thru October. Directions. |
