West Bottoms
The original hotbed of rail activity in Kansas City in the late 19th century,
the West Bottoms is still the oldest warehouse and industrial district in town. Once home to the
classification yards of the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio (later Illinois Central Gulf) and the Frisco,
the majority of the trains these days belong to Union Pacific and
BNSF.
Northbound coal empty winds its way through the West bottoms
Railfan Vantage Points:
1. Woodswether Road - Running alongside the Missouri River at the north end of the West Bottoms is the
Union Pacific line north to Omaha (ex-Missouri Pacific). There are not many access points due to the number of
industrial buildings along this line, but at the east end of Woodswether underneath the Broadway Bridge is a
dead-end street that can provide some photo opportunities. Access this street by going north on Broadway from
Downtown and instead of going over the bridge, duck down to the right and go under the bridge. Kansas City Terminal
Railway has expanded the No Trespassing area and signs are posted. Not a good place to be at
night.
At the west end of Woodswether Road is a crossing at Market Street and street parking is
available. The odor from the nearby sewage treatment plant can be powerful at times, however.
2. 9th & Santa Fe Streets - This is an active spot along the
Union Pacific tracks that lead east to Neff yard on the Northeast side of Kansas City. There are several
areas around this location to park and walk around to observe the action.
3. "The Narrows" - KC Terminal trackage squeezes
together at this point to snake around the north side of Downtown and continue north and east. It is possible
to view the area by going to the east end of West 8th Steet but KC Terminal Railway has put up
fencing with No Trespassing signs near the dead-end and parking is limited. A small park with an ex-ATSF
caboose is oddly placed in this area.
4. Hickory & Union Streets - Just a few blocks
west of 9th & Santa Fe Streets is Doc's Caboose, at the corner of Hickory and Union. Doc's is a well-stocked hobby shop about 25
feet from the Union Pacific main line through the area. Shop and watch trains at the same time! (Closed Sunday
and Monday)
5. Under the 12th St bridge - Tucked under the bridge are some
good train watching spots that are fairly active with BNSF manifest, coal and transfer trains.
Train
Frequency:
Between UP, BNSF and various NS run-through trains, you will see 60-80 total trains a
day. A two-hour session is usually good for nearly a dozen trains.
What you'll
see:
BNSF - coal trains, manifest trains, grain trains and transfer
moves (90% of these trains also run through Santa Fe Junction)
Union Pacific - coal trains, stack trains, manifest trains, a few transfer
moves
Norfolk Southern - run-through stack and intermodal trains
Security
Concerns:
There are many public areas and a few abandoned parking lots to watch the action. The
area is patrolled by BNSF Police and KCMO Police. There is a good supply of homeless and transients in the
area and being there after dark is not recommended.
How to Get
There:
While the West Bottoms is accessible from many areas, the easiest way in is from the 12th
Street bridge from the Downtown area. From I-35 north or south, exit at 12th street and go west. You will be enjoy
a panoramic view (?) of the entire West Bottoms as you go across the bridge, turn right at the very bottom of the
bridge (yes, it's a street!) and wind around to get to all the vantage points listed. Nearly all streets are well
marked.
The West Bottoms is less than a mile north of Santa Fe Junction so combining train watching in the two areas is
easy.
| 