A little off topic for the KC and Kansas Rail fans...

Two or three years ago, I was driving back (To Missouri from Colorado) and as we neared Kansas City, I left the interstate to veer south and avoid KC traffic. We were on a nice east-west two lane road about 20 miles (or so) SW of KC and passed a nice rural home (On the South side of the road) with two or three Santa Fe passenger cars and a signal in the front yard!
Where was I? I was in unfamiliar country and I haven't been able to pinpoint the location since. Anyone know that location and the details of the RR equipment?

Thanks, Tom

 

I have been through that area you are describing once a few years ago. I was on vacation in the Rockies and it timed out to where we would be going through KC in rush hour, so we to a short cut. I don't remember anything about ATSF passenger cars though.

 

You were on Highway 56 about halfway between Highway 75 and Higway 59. The fellow that owns them was a management employee for the Santa Fe in Topeka. I haven't been by there in years but I have been told the cars are still there.

 

Good to know Bob! That was a good route for me and I'd use it again if I travel back that way.

Thanks, Tom

 

I met this man along time ago when I lived in Baldwin as a child. If this is the same place I think it is. The cars he has were originally at the Vassar Playhouse just to the west of the entrance to Pomona Lake Park on K268 (I believe). I dont remember the whole story, but, the man purchased them and had them moved to his home right outside of what is commonly known to locals there as Baldwin Jct. If I remember right, the guy owns more equipment, he just hasn't moved yet and what he owns have some sentiment behind them for him. His PLan was to attach the cars to his home by cutting a hole in his house and building an entryway into the end of one of the passenger cars and make them a permanent part of his home. When I spoke to the man he told me that it was a long past plan of his to have a train layout built inside of an old caboose, connecting into and old baggage car and connecting again into an old reefer. I thought the idea was pretty neat. I approached some club members in Ottawa Kansas about contacting him, and they showed no interest. This was my story of what I heard about the location you might be talking about. It does take you by surprise when you drive by it especially if you don't know its there.

 

The gentleman that had the cars displayed passed away in September of 2008. He donated several to the Great Overland Station. Here is a link to the news story. http://www.cjonline.com/stories/012208/lei_238807072.shtml