East Kansas City Hotspots
East Kansas City has several good railfan
locations.
The BNSF Transcon line passes through the east side of Kansas City via Independence and Sugar Creek. UP's River
Subdivision shares trackage with the Transcon until it reaches Eton, where it heads southeast to meet the Sedalia
Sub at River Junction outside of Jefferson City. Kansas City Southern meanders through East KC and Independence on
former Gateway Western, Illinois Central and Gulf, Mobile & Ohio rails on it's way across Missouri to
reach the Mississippi River.
East Bottoms
More info coming soon
Rock Creek Junction
Helpers duck under Transcon Line at Rock
Creek Junction in East Kansas City
Railfan Vantage
Point:
Kentucky Road - While the actual Rock Creek Junction is a great place to railfan, it is no longer
accessible to the public but you can still get close enough to observe quite
a bit of activity. The grade crossing at Kentucky road is closest to the Junction and it's possible to pull off the
road on the east side and observe the action.
Train Frequency:
Freight - Upwards of
100 trains daily, with most of them being on the Transcon Line.
Amtrak - Eastbound:
Southwest Chief to Chicago at approximately 7:50 am
Missouri River Runner to St. Louis at approximately 8:25 am
Missouri River Runner to St. Louis at approximately 4:10 pm
Amtrak - Westbound:
Southwest Chief to from Chicago at approximately 9:55 pm
Missouri River Runner from St. Louis at approximately 2:20 pm
Missouri River Runner from St. Louis at approximately 9:05 pm
What You'll See:
BNSF - All the traffic on the Transcon Line will be visible at a distance (1/4 mile) entering
or leaving the 3 mile-long Sheffield Flyover that was completed in 2000.
Union Pacific - A front row seat to westbound freights including empty coal,
stack trains, intermodal, manifest trains and Amtrak's Missouri River Runner Trains. A daily local also
goes eastbound, usually in the morning.
Missouri & North Arkansas - MNA runs several trains on UP tracks to Pleasant
Hill, where they enter their own line. A late morning manifest train heads east and it's westbound counterpart
arrives later in the afternoon. UP-powered coal trains occasionally make the eastbound assault on the Independence
hill using manned helper engines that drop off at Pleasant Hill before switching to MNA rails.
Kansas City Southern - All types of trains except coal.
Security Concerns:
No Trespassing
signs are posted at the signal sheds for the access road to Rock Creek. I used to drive down the access road to get
closer to the action and the UP did not seem to care much but I wouldn't test the security nowadays. There is room
for parking immediately off the road on the east side in front of the No Trespassing
signs.
Note: Local
businesses near Kentucky Road have been experiencing a large number of break-ins and have taken it upon
themselves to check out any strangers since police coverage is spotty. Don't be surprised if they approach
you and ask about your intentions. They are very wary of any strangers in the area. I especially don't
recommend being at this location after dark.
GPS Address
144 E Kentucky Rd - Independence, MO
How to Get There:
From I-70 - North on I-435 to Independence Avenue
(Exit 59), east to Blue Ridge Blvd. (1/4 mile), left on Blue Ridge Blvd. to Wilson Rd (3 blocks), right on Wilson
to Kentucky Rd. left on Kentucky to tracks.
Independence Avenue
Eastbound UP coal train approaches flyover near the
Sheffield Family Center
Railfan Vantage
Point:
Sheffield Family Life Center
- A huge church at 5800 Winner Rd. They have a large parking lot that has an unobstructed view of the tracks. Stay
only on the paved lot. Please, no littering!
Train Frequency:
Freight -
100+
Amtrak - Eastbound:
Southwest Chief to Chicago at approximately 7:45 am
Missouri River Runner to St. Louis at approximately 8:20 am
Missouri River Runner to St. Louis at approximately 4:05 pm
Amtrak - Westbound:
Southwest Chief to from Chicago at approximately 10:00 pm
Missouri River Runner from St. Louis at approximately 2:30 pm
Missouri River Runner from St. Louis at approximately 9:15 pm
What You'll See:
BNSF - Stack trains, intermodal, manifest, unit grain, a few coal trains, the Sheffield local
(complete with caboose)
Union Pacific - Coal trains, stack trains, intermodal, manifest, unit grain
Norfolk Southern - Intermodal, Roadrailers
Iowa, Chicago & Eastern - Manifest and grain trains
Kansas City Terminal - Locals with the "Bumble Bees"
CSX, Kansas City Southern run through units
Security Concerns:
Not the best part of town to be in at
night. Daytime is no problem. Off-duty officers hired to direct traffic at the Sheffield Center will not let you
park in the lot on Sunday. Any other day is OK.
GPS Address
5800 Winner Rd - Kansas City, MO
How to Get
There:
From I-70 - North on I-435 to Independence
Avenue (Exit 59), west to Winner road. (at the Hardee's Restaurant), angle off on Winner Rd. to the
church parking lot entrance west of the church. (1.8 miles from I-435)
Sugar Creek
Eastbound train at Sugar Creek Station
Railfan Vantage Point:
Old
Santa Fe station on Cement City Rd - BNSF still uses the old Santa Fe station next to the grade crossing
on Cement City Rd. There is limited off-street parking at this location but it is a good location to watch BNSF and
UP trains on the Transcon Line. Do not go too near the tracks.
Train Frequency:
Freight - 100+
Amtrak - Eastbound:
Southwest Chief to Chicago at
approximately 7:50 am
Amtrak - Westbound:
Southwest Chief to Los Angeles at
approximately 9:55 pm
What You'll See:
BNSF - Stack trains, intermodal, manifest, unit grain, a few coal trains
Union Pacific - Coal trains, stack trains, intermodal, manifest, unit grain
Norfolk Southern - Intermodal, Roadrailers
Security Concerns:
No problems in the
daytime. Both locations are somewhat isolated and hanging around after dark will arouse the suspicions of the Sugar
Creek police. I also know this from experience.
How to Get There:
Old Santa Fe
Station: From I-70 - North on I-435 to Independence Avenue (Exit 59), east to Sterling Ave. (several miles), left
on Sterling (watch your speed!) to Kentucky Rd. (roundabout) right on Kentucky, up the hill to North Vermont St.
(first street), left on North Vermont to station.
GPS Address:
1200 Cement City Rd
Independence Amtrak Station
Railfan Vantage Point:
The station itself is the best place to get photos and observe. Nearly every train will be a
westbound as UP uses the River Sub for eastbounds.
Train
Frequency:
Freight - 30-40 a day
Amtrak - Eastbound:
Missouri River Runner morning train
scheduled at 8:34 am
Missouri River Runner afternoon train
scheduled at 4:19 pm
Amtrak - Westbound
Missouri River Runner morning train
scheduled at 2:20 pm
Missouri River Runner evening
train scheduled at 9:06 pm
What
You'll See:
Union Pacific - A front row seat to westbound
freights including empty coal trains, stack trains, intermodal and manifest trains as well
as Amtrak's Missouri River Runner Trains. A daily local also goes eastbound, usually in the morning
and returning in the afternoon.
Missouri & North Arkansas - MNA runs several trains on UP tracks to Pleasant
Hill, where they enter their own line. A late morning manifest train heads east and it's westbound counterpart
arrives later in the afternoon. Several times a week UP-powered coal trains bound for a power plant in Montrose,
MO on MNA rails make the eastbound assault on the Independence Hill and cut off at Pleasant Hill to head
to Nevada where the locomotives swap ends and go northeast to the power plant.
Security
Concerns:
Almost none. The station parking lot is well lighted at night. Hanging around after the
evening Amtrak train has departed is probably not advised. The Independence Police patrol the area on a regular
basis.
GPS Address
600 S Grand Ave - Independence, MO
How to Get There:
From I-70 - Exit at Noland Road (Exit
12), go North to 23rd St. (several miles), turn left on 23rd St, go to South Cottage St. (look for the
Certified Transmission shop), turn right and proceed to West Pacific Ave. then left to the
station.
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