kcrailfan.com

Railfan Headquarters for the Greater Kansas City Area

North of the River Hotspots

North Kansas City

Vantage Points:

Railroad Ave at Missouri 210 Hwy - This area is a good location to view both Norfolk Southern and BNSF trains. The east end of the NS Yard is near this location and No Trespassing signs are posted. The NS engine house is also in view. Eastbound NS trains launch from this point to head east along the Missouri River.
BNSF shares this line to a point east of Missouri City where it splits off and heads northeast to Quincy. Vehicle traffic is limited to NS employees entering the yard so there's little danger of being in the way of anyone. This is also a good photo location for BNSF because the tracks take a nice curve as they head for Murray Yard a few miles away. Keep in mind that this is an industrial area and you are either on private property or railroad property.

Train Frequency:
20-30 trains daily

What You'll See:
Norfolk Southern: auto racks, stack trains, intermodal and manifest trains.
BNSF: Mostly mixed freight and a few coal trains

Security Concerns:
Not a big problem in the daytime. Even though it's next to a busy highway the area is somewhat isolated. North Kansas City Police may question your intentions after dark.

GPS Address
2200 State Road 210 (SR210) - North Kansas City, MO

How to Get There:
From I-70 - Take I-35 North to Exit 6. After you exit turn right and go about a quarter mile. You will see a sign "Railroad Avenue" to the right.

From I-35 South - Exit 6. This will take you to a stoplight. Turn left and Railroad Street is about a quarter mile on the right past the lumberyard.

Other North Kansas City Vantage Points:
14th Avenue - Several blocks West of Burlington Street is the entrance to BNSF Murray Yard. A warehouse area provides parking to see yard activity at several points. Be careful to observe the No Trespassing signs as the railroad security folks will definitely find you if you aren't where you are supposed to be.                                                  Ex Santa Fe 3191 idles at 14th St near yard office  

GPS Address
122 W 14th Ave - North Kansas City, MO

10th Avenue - Also west of Burlington Street a few blocks is a spot that you can get a good view of the south end of Murray Yard. There are usually locomotives parked and being shuttled around since this is near the engine house.

GPS Address
100 W 10th Ave - North Kansas City, MO

Atlantic Street - One block west of Burlington is Atlantic Street. Go south on Atlantic and there are several large parking lots that belong to local industries. From these vantage points it is easy to see a good deal of action going into Murray Yard and also trains passing by on their way to the Hannibal Bridge over the Missouri River.

GPS Address
500 Atlantic Ave - North Kansas City, MO


UP Transfer run waits for clearance into Murray yard at Atlantic St
                                                                                

Parkville

Vantage Points:
English Landing Park - This park is an excellent location to view trains on the ex-CB & Q line to Nebraska. The old train station is still in use as a city-owned structure. Parking is available in a large lot next to the park. Do not park your vehicle anywhere in the park itself. This is strictly enforced. In the spring and summer the Farmer's Market also sets up shop on the weekends in the parking lot. There are several restaurants nearby and Downtown Parkville has a number of interesting retail stores.
 
                                                               Northbound manifest approaches Parkville
Train Frequency: 
50-70 trains daily

What You'll See:
BNSF:  coal trains, grain trains and manifest trains.

Security Concerns:
Not a problem in the daytime. The area is well-lighted at night as it is close to the Downtown area of Parkville where restaurants and other establishments are open late.

GPS Address
116 S Main St - Parkville, MO

How to Get There:
From I-70 - Exit at Broadway/169 North (exit 2A) on the north side of Downtown Kansas City. Cross the Missouri River on the Broadway Bridge. The Downtown Airport will be on your left and the BNSF Murray yard will be on your right. Take the Hwy 9 exit immediately after curving away from the railyard. Stay on Hwy 9 until you get to Parkville (5.8 miles). English Landing Park will be on your left between the tracks and the Missouri River. Stay straight and enter Downtown Parkville, turning left at either East Street or Main Street. Cross the tracks and you're there.

Liberty

Vantage Points:
Suddarth Street  - This area is the location of the City of Liberty Vehicle Maintenance facility. The facility is in operation Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm and parking is very limited during those hours. After hours it is possible to park along the edge of the property and observe the action on Union Pacific's ex-Rock Island "Spine Line" and the former Iowa, Chicago & Eastern line to Chicago. This is ex-Milwaukee trackage and a good place to see SD40-2 units belonging to ICE or it's former parent Dakota, MInnesota & Eastern. It is now owned by Canadian Pacific but most locomotives are still dressed in DM & E colors.

The Kaw River Railroad also goes through Liberty on ex-CB & Q trackage to Kearney, MO. Kaw River is owned by short line operator WATCO and operates only several times a week.

Train Frequency:                    IC & E local southbound eases into Liberty
15-25 trains daily

What you'll see:
Union Paciic: Grain trains, stack trains, intermodal and manifest trains. The UP local is usually is in the area early in the evening on it's way to Trenton, MO.

Iowa, Chicago & Eastern: 
Mixed freights. The "B91" local is usually in town around noon and then again in early evening. Scanner frequency is 160.770

Kansas City Southern also has a few run-through grain trains periodically.

Security Concerns:
Not a problem in the daytime. The Liberty Police may visit with you after dark.

GPS Address
400 Suddarth St - Liberty, MO

How to Get There:
From I-35 - Exit at Hwy 152 (exit 16) and go east towards Downtown Liberty. This will be Kansas Avenue. Stay on Kansas Ave through the Liberty Downtown Square and turn right at Lightburne St. Go one block to East Mill Street and turn left. Stay on Mill Street until you see the entrance to William Jewell College on your left (less than a mile). At that point, bear right at the traffic light and cross over the Kaw River Railway track and go two blocks to Suddarth St. Turn right and go about a quarter mile to the city garage.