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Southwest Boulevard

Railfan Vantage Points:

1. Western end of Southwest Boulevard - BNSF and UP trains accelerate out of the old Katy yard at this point so it can be a good spot for video footage. These tracks are the ex-Frisco and ex-Katy lines that lead south to Oklahoma and Texas, passing the suburbs of Lenexa, Olathe and splitting at Paola to go their separate ways. There is a an unused parking area near the highway overpass that gives a good view of the action. (and provides some shade for those hot days)     

 Southbound BNSF train heads south on ex-Frisco rails
     

2. West 27th St - This is a dead-end street that crosses over the BNSF ex-Frisco and UP ex-Katy lines and is a good spot for photos because of the elevation. (the photo on our home page was taken from this location) Also, the old Kansas City Terminal roundhouse is next to 27th St. It is now part of a warehouse complex and unfortunately is not accessible to the public without going through a 24 hour checkpoint, but you can get some good photos from the street. A word of warning: Once you cross the track on 27th Street behind the self-storage business, there is no other way out. Southbound UP coal trains can sometimes block this crossing  while waiting for permission to proceed south.

Southbound BN coal train approaches 27th St

                                                                                    
Train Frequency:
Between UP and BNSF, there are approximately 25-40 trains a day.

What you'll see:
Mostly coal trains from both lines, some intermodal, stack, grain and manifest.

Security Concerns:
Nothing major to be worried about. The same after-dark disclaimer remains in effect, however.

How to Get There:
From Downtown Kansas City - Get on 19th St and go west. This will curve left and turn into Southwest Boulevard. West 27th Street will be the first street after the underpass (about 1/4 mile).
From I-35 northbound - Exit at Southwest Boulevard (Exit 233A) The first traffic light, take a left to get to the Western End described above, or proceed farther down Southwest Boulevard to the other locations.
From I-35 southbound - Exit at 7th St (Exit 234A) and turn left to get to Southwest Boulevard (1/4 mile). Turn right to get to Western End described above or turn left to get to the other locations.

3. Everything in-between the above locations - Southwest Boulevard parallels these tracks all the way to Downtown and there are various areas to duck off the Boulevard (which is quite busy) and catch the action. Genessee Street crosses the tracks behind Don's Liquor Store and provides easy access to I-35. Both UP and BNSF trains hold at this road crossing before getting access to Santa Fe Junction, which is just half a mile north.

For some great Mexican food check out Ponak's. Another  favorite is Rosedale Barbeque farther west . Both are located along Southwest Boulevard.