BG&KC RR
Line

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The Belton Grandview & Kansas City Railroad's line is a short section of what was once the St. Louis and San Francisco's Blair Line, also known as the High Line. The line was built in the later part of the 1800's and saw service up until the mid 1980's. A detailed history of the railroads that make up line, and how they came about is available

The line originally started at the old Grand Central Station at 2nd and Wyandotte, this was Mile Post 0. It left the Station and passed through Knoche Junction at mile post 3.8, continued on through several stations including Swope Park, mile post 14.0, Holmes; mile post 18.1, Grandview; milepost 22.7 and through Belton at mile post 28.2. The line continued on to Peculiar; mile post 36.7, Harrisonville; mile post 45.2, East Lynne; mile post 51.8, Gunn City; mile post 56.1 and on south to Henry County, Clinton, Osceola, Bolivar and finally to Springfield.

Our track starts on the north side of 155th St (also known as County Line Rd. the border between Cass and Jackson Counties). Just a few hundred feet north of mile post 26. It continues on down to mile post 28 right around 58 Highway, and the depot at mile post 28.2. This north end of our line is not currently in service for passengers. Our trip runs south (south east) from the depot, through Belton Park crossing Mullen road and continuing on to parallel US Highway 71 for about a quarter of a mile before coming to an end at Cambridge road.

As you ride our line south, you'll notice Mile Post 29, at the south of Belton Park, and Mile Post 30 near the bottom of a long hill just before the line turns to parallel US 71.

The line from East Lynne to Springfield was cut in 1979 when the Truman Dam was built. The line was not profitable enough to justify building a bypass or bridges for the areas that would be flooded and so it was abandoned. The remaining line was operated by the Burlington Northern until 1986 when it too was abandoned. The line north of 155th street is owned by the Kansas City Southern Railway, and is used to switch industries that still receive railcars from the KCS mainline in Grandview. An example of this can be seen at 150 Highway just west of US 71, where a plastic bag company receives covered hoppers of plastic pellets.

A more detailed history of the origins of this line is available as well.