For those adventurous souls who long to see what train travel was like in the first half of the last century, the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co. offers a means of stepping back in time.
The company offers a choice of rides in a 1920's era passenger coach, behind a 1950's diesel locomotive or in an open air excursion car. If you want to, you can travel in the caboose with the conductor or in the cab of the locomotive with the engineer. The entire journey is a five mile journey through Old Towne, Belton, Missouri. The roundtrip takes approximately forty-five minutes.
For those with a greater curiosity about the past, the company also has a museum. While you're waiting for the train, you can walk around their yard and look at the display equipment, freight cars, Club Car, instruction car, maintenance-of-way equipment and two static display steam locomotives. For those hunting for souvenirs, a visit to the gift shop set up in a baggage car should be satisfying.
Ticket costs are $9.50 per person and are sold on a first come first served basis. No debit or credit cards are accepted, so make sure you are carrying cash. The two seats available in the locomotive are for $20 apiece while the four places in the caboose are $10 each. Since the trains do not have neither heating nor air-conditioning, you are advised to dress for the weather.
If you have any questions or need further information, the depot can be contacted at (816) 331-0630 or via e-mail at info@beltonrailroad.org
Belton Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co.
502 E. Walnut St.
Belton, MO 64012