KCKidsFun

It seems that everyone likes trains.  Grandparents, travelers, children…you name it.  Luckily, Kansas City offers ample opportunities to take in a train ride. Here’s a rundown of some railway-related activities!

It’s that time of year…when Thomas & Friends/Day Out With Thomas gets ready to roll into Baldwin City, KS.  If you’re not familiar with the program…The Midway Railway in Baldwin City is where it all goes down.  There are six dates for Thomas’s 2011 appearance…June 3,4,5,10, 11 and 12.

“The Leader of the Track Tour 2011″ includes a 25-minute ride with a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine, a meeting with Sir Topham Hatt, Storytelling, Live Music and more.  Tickets are $18 for ages 2+ and advance purchase is strongly recommended.  Thomas is rain or shine!

The Midland Railway operates excursion trains on a line originally constructed in 1867. Train rides feature an over-20-mile round trip from Baldwin City via “Norwood, Kansas” to Ottawa Junction, Kansas, traveling through Eastern Kansas farmland and woods via vintage railway equipment. It is a completely volunteer-staffed, non-profit, common carrier railroad operated to preserve and display transportation history as an educational demonstration railroad.

You can click here for regular Railway Schedule and Fares.  Baldwin City is on U.S. 56 Hwy, 4 miles east of U.S. 59 Hwy; 10 miles north of 1-35 (Ottawa) and 17 miles south of 1-70 (Lawrence). From U.S. 56, turn south onto 8th or 11th Streets, then right (west) onto High Street. Follow the signs to the Midland Railway Depot.

If you take Hwy 71 South, you’ll end up in Belton, MO.  There, you will find the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad.  The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a short line passenger railroad and demonstration museum just south of the Kansas City Metro Area. The BG&KC offers excursions on their line running south from Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip. It is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving rail travel and railroading.

If you want to head north, you will find the Kansas City Northern Railroad/Line Creek Route. Take I-29 North to NW Waukomis Drive. The route is open May-September and fare is 50 cents per ride, all ages! Now seriously- when is the last time something cost 50 cents?!?  Trains depart from the depot approximately every 7 minutes.  Again, when do you recall only waiting 7 minutes for something fun?!? The restored Miniature Train Company (MTC) and Allen Hershell G-16 trains operate on ½ mile of track in the park. All trains are powered by V-4 Wisconsin air cooled gasoline engines of 26-28 horse power. These engines were used in hay balers and early Bobcat skid loaders. The tunnel is 110′ long and the face stone for the portals came from the old Paseo High School when it was torn down. Group charter rides can be scheduled for Fridays during open season for only $20.00.  They also charter by the hour–the cost per hour is $75.00.

Don’t forget about Amtrak, too.  The Missouri River Runner Route will take you all the way east to St. Louis, MO.  You can hop the train in downtown Kansas City, MO, Lee’s Summit, MO and Independence, MO.  What a fun, educational way to see Missouri and travel as a family!

The Truman Trolley is getting ready to roll! Once again the bright red Truman Trolleys will visit the Independence Square and circle past major tourism attractions during spring, summer and early fall. Local residents and tourists from Kansas City can take advantage of this easy and affordable way to visit the city’s tourism attractions and historic sites as well as the shops and restaurants on the Square. The McClain Group & Independence Tourism have partnered to present this unique opportunity to see many of the major highlights of Independence without the hassles of driving and parking.

This would be a terrific way to mark the official birthday celebration of President Harry S. Truman, which takes place in Independence on Saturday, May 7.  Click here for a list of birthday-related activities.

Cost:
$1 for all Trolley riders provides unlimited rides all day on the date of purchase. Tickets for tourism attractions must be purchased at the site. (Note: Tickets for the Truman Home National Historic Site at 219 N. Delaware must be purchase at the Truman Visitors’ Center at 223 N. Main.)

Dates:
Starts Thursday, May 5th and will operate Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in May.  Starting June 1st , the trolley will operate Tuesdays through Saturdays, continuing through Saturday October 1, 2011. Trolley will not operate on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend.  From September 8 through October 1, the Trolley will run Thursdays through Saturdays.

Schedule:
10:00 a.m. Pick-up at Union Station in Kansas City
10:10 a.m. Pick-up at downtown Kansas City Marriott Hotel, 200 W. 12th Street.
10:30 a.m. Trolley arrives at Independence Square, corner of Truman and Main.
Trolley will depart from the Square every 20 minutes for sites.

1:00 p.m. Trolley leaves Truman and Main for Union Station.
1:30 p.m. Pick up at Union Station.
1:40 p.m. Pick- up at Downtown Marriott
2:00 p.m. Trolley arrives at Truman and Main.
5:00 p.m. Trolley departs Independence Square for last return trip to Marriott and Union Station

Sites on tour:
1. Independence Square, 1859 Jail, 217 N. Main, Truman Home Ticket Center, 223 N. Main.
2. National Frontier Trails Museum, Chicago & Alton Depot, 318 W. Pacific, Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific
3. Community of Christ Temple and Auditorium, 201 N. River, Mormon Visitor’s Center, 937 W. Walnut and Temple Lot, 200 S. River
4. Truman Home, 219 N Delaware
5. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U. S. 24 Highway
6. Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty.

Reservations: To make reservations (for groups) call 816-512-5555. For more information about Independence attractions, lodgings, calendars and an interactive brochure, click here.

If you’ve been a regular reader of KC Kids Fun, you are well aware that Kate and I are history buffs.  (And British Monarchy enthusiasts, but that’s for another post!)  It’s a great time to introduce your kids to Missouri’s President Truman!

Did you know that Harry Truman was our nation’s 33rd President?  And that there is a treasure trove of history right here in Eastern Jackson County? Plan ahead and try to incorporate some of these neat activities into your spring…Saturday, May 7, 2011 is when the official birthday festivities take place on the historic Square in Independence, MO.  But it’s fun to explore Independence and Truman history ANY day of the year!  Have fun!  (And thanks to our friend, Janeen, from the Independence Dept. of Tourism, for providing the great ideas!)

• One of Truman’s first careers was as a farmer on the family farm in Grandview. Start the day early at the annual Farm and Flower Show, with herbs, flowers, gift baskets and more surrounding the historic courthouse on the Square, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Main and Maple.

• Keep your eyes peeled for our Truman re-enactor so you can shake his hand and congratulate him in person. He’ll be around the Square from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• After you’ve snagged the best blooms, walk across the street to the parking lot at Liberty and Maple for the Tails on the Trails Event.  Feast on hot pancakes from 8 to 10 in an all-you-can-eat-for-$5 blowout breakfast. A silent auction, contests, demonstrations, pet walk, micro chipping and rabies shots, pet photos and more are planned.

• Hop aboard the “Truman Trolley” running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with pickups and drop offs at Clinton’s Soda Fountain, corner of Main and Maple. In honor of Truman’s famous quote, “The Buck Stops Here”, ride all day for a dollar as you stop at the city’s tourism sites.

• Various sites will also offer dollar admission all day. Participating attractions include the Puppetry Arts Institute, Vaile Mansion, Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, Leila’s Hair Museum, National Frontier Trails Museum, 1859 Jail & Marshal’s Home, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and Chicago & Alton Depot. The Chicago and Alton Depot is also celebrating National Train Day from 10 to 4, with model trains running inside and an outdoor reception, slated from 2 to 4 p.m. The Bingham Waggoner is holding a garage sale from 10 to 4 on the rolling grounds of the estate. The Trinity Episcopal Church, where the Trumans were married, will give free tours.

• Gather your kids around the courthouse for some incredible family friendly entertainers. Check out the catchy music of children’s entertainer Dino O’ Dell at 10 a.m. and wacky experiments with fire, ice and explosions by “Mad Science” performers at 1 p.m.

• The Truman Library continues the celebration on Sunday, May 8, 2011 (Truman’s actual birthday) with a wreath laying ceremony at the Truman gravesites in the Library’s courtyard and birthday cake with a Truman re-enactor. All mothers are admitted free for Mother’s Day.

For complete details, an interactive brochure, lodging, dining, shopping and discounts, go to www.visitindependence.com or call 816-325-7111 or toll free 800-748-7323.