JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – Missouri’s railroad heritage is alive and well today, even though many of its historic depots no longer serve in their original capacity. All across the Show-Me State, Missouri train depots offer a glimpse of the state’s proud rail heritage. This holiday season, Missouri train depots offer an array of exciting experiences that educate and bring to life the many stories of the American railroad, many with a holiday twist.
Branson invites your children to hop aboard The Polar Express, an experience based on the Chris Van Allsburg children’s book (and animated motion picture). This journey begins as the train departs from the 1906 original train depot located in Downtown Branson, www.BransonTrain.com. Once aboard, the porter punches the passengers’ tickets, and chefs hand out cups of hot chocolate, as children—dressed in their pajamas—settle down for a nighttime train adventure. The story is read aloud during the train ride, and children can relive the adventure of “The Polar Express” while the train transports them to the North Pole.
Another holiday adventure unfolds as The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train, www.kcsi.com, brings Santa and his elves through the Show-Me-State. Beginning in Blue Springs on December 14, the tour runs through December 20, when the train pulls into Kansas City’s Union Station.
Speaking of Union Station, www.UnionStation.org, the Kansas City landmark also brings the Missouri rails story to life through its Rail Experience interactive exhibit. Kids will enjoy the talking engineers and passengers as they tell of their railroad adventures. You can also check out many different kinds of train engines, cabooses and passenger model trains that are on display at the station.
The Missouri rail system still connects
many cities together, providing Missourians with a unique view of the
area’s picturesque landscape.
Little engineers will want to hop aboard the train at The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Company, www.BeltonRailroad.org, when the Belton Santa Train arrives. This event features a real train decorated in lights, complete with cookies, hot chocolate and the chance to meet Santa. The train departs the museum at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 5. The museum also offers a first-hand look at a 1950s diesel locomotive, along with a passenger car and caboose.
Hear the stories of a Jesse James Gang robbery, learn how hobos traveled the rails and see first-hand what a real diesel locomotive looks like at the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, www.slimrr.com, in Jackson. Known as the state’s only full-sized passenger train, passengers can enjoy the magic of The Santa Express through December 19 . While onboard, children can hear the story of “The Polar Express” and enjoy a visit from Santa.
The Missouri Pacific/Truman Depot still functions as a train depot providing Amtrak service on the Missouri River Runner.
Step atop the train platform and explore the wonders of the rails at The Missouri Pacific/Truman Depot, www.ci.independence.mo.us/comdev/HP_WalkingTours_Landmark.aspx, located in Independence. Constructed in 1912, the Missouri Pacific depot is also called the Truman Depot as President Harry S. Truman was one of the frequent passengers on the line. Today, the depot still serves as the Amtrak station and is home to a vintage railroad caboose and a genealogy library where you can view a vast array of local historical records.
Inside the The Missouri Pacific/Truman Depot waiting station, which still serves as a train depot.
Independence is also home to The Chicago & Alton Train Depot, www.chicagoalton1879depot.org, a stunning two-story depot that depicts a 1890s-era depot. As you walk through the door, you’ll see the waiting room where passengers purchased tickets and an original bell from a Santa Fe train. There’s also a baggage room, living quarters and an extensive display of railroad artifacts. In celebration of the holiday season, the depot will host “A Visit from St. Nicholas” on Saturdays in December.
This unique two-story structure, known as The Chicago & Alton
Train Depot, is one of the only two-story depots still standing.
The great railroad town of Sedalia is home to the Sedalia Katy Depot, www.SedaliaKatyDepot.com, constructed in 1896 on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (M-K-T or “Katy”) line. One of the largest depots between Kansas City and St. Louis, this depot features Henry the telegrapher and Jeanie, a young girl who describes her family’s recent trip to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Children can be an engineer for a day and drive a train while learning more about the train station operations at the turn of the last century.
The Popular Bluff Railroad Museum offers tours where visitors can see an agent’s work area and ticketing office, both still standing in their original location. The museum features model trains and many railroad artifacts including workman’s railroad tools, and photographs of early railroading days, a depot pot-belly stove and a telegraph station. Near the museum, you can step over to the platform at the Missouri Pacific Depot, www.TexasEagle.com, which is an Amtrak station today.
Additional Depots and Train-Related Fun include:
- Frisco Depot Museum-Crocker, Missouri www.VisitPulaskiCounty.org
- Bernard Depot-Bernard, Missouri
- Cameron Railroad Depot Museum- Cameron, Missouri, (Web site doesn’t work)
- Missouri Botanical Gardens-St. Louis, Missouri, www.mobot.org
- Trains on Main- St. Charles, Missouri
- Museum of Tourism, St. Louis, Missouri, www.TransportMuseumAssociation.org
For more information about Missouri Train Depots or to get a copy of your 2010 Official Missouri Travel Guide, log on to www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800
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Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Missouri Division of Toursim
573-522-5501
sarah.luebbert@ded.mo.gov |