Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence Visitor Center
Railfan Vantage Point 1:
Lawrence Visitor Center - In 1991, the City of Lawrence opened
the Lawrence Visitor Center in the old Union Pacific depot. Union Pacific's two-track main line consists of the
old Kansas Pacific route and the Rock Island Golden State route.
Train Frequency:
40-60 trains
daily
What You'll See:
Union Pacific: coal trains, stack trains, intermodal and manifest trains. A local geep consist
handles the switching duties to local industries.
Security Concerns:
Not a big problem in
the daytime. Hanging around after dark may arouse the suspicions of the Lawrence Police department.
GPS Address
400 N 3rd St - Lawrence, KS
How to Get There:
From I-70 -
Exit at the East Lawrence exit (Exit 204) on the Kansas Turnpike (I-70), this will put you on US Hwy 40. Go
south to Locust Street (1 mile, first street after the underpass), take a left to the Visitor Center.
For an interesting book on the trains that have
rounded the curve at Lawrence, check out "Kansas Curve" by Robert P.
Olmsted
Lawrence Amtrak Station
Railfan Vantage Point 2:
Lawrence Amtrak Station - Amtrak Station parking lot is a good place to watch what's
happening. Not as active as the Union Pacific however. The Topeka yards and shops are nearby also.
Train Frequency:
Freight - 10-12 daily. The
local is usually in town around the noon hour.
Amtrak - Southwest Chief Eastbound scheduled at 5:47 am
Southwest Chief Westbound scheduled
at 11:52 pm
What You'll See:
BNSF -
All types of trains with the exception of coal trains.
Security Concerns:
This is basically a small town
atmosphere so don't expect any problems. The late night arrival of Amtrak's Southwest Chief means you won't be
alone at midnight.
GPS Address
500 E 7th St - Lawrence, KS
How to Get There:
From I-70 - Exit at the East
Lawrence exit (Exit 204) on the Kansas Turnpike (I-70), this will put you on US Hwy 40. Go south on US Hwy 40,
cross the river and turn left at East 6th St, follow it around to the right and go left at East 7th St, go East on
7th St until you reach the station.
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