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MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail

The Katy Trail is the old route of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas rail line (M-K-T, or "Katy" for short). It has been nearly two decades since MKT trains ran along the route that's now the Katy Trail. But you can still experience railroad history all along the trail, through several preserved train cars, depots restored to their original splendor, and other vestiges of the railroading past that can be found along the trail.

Restored Train Depots / Stations

St Charles depot at Frontier Park
New Franklin depot and Katy Roundhouse
Boonville depot
Sedalia depot - depot includes Railroad Heritage Museum
Clinton - located on the town square, about a mile from the end of the Katy Trail; it houses the Chamber of Commerce

Sedalia Depot

Old Train Cars

St Charles Frontier Park has both an MKT car and a Wabash car
The Frenchtown Heritage Museum in St Charles has a caboose from the Santa Fe line, which was originally built by the American Car & Foundry Co. in 1928 The museum is currently researching restoration options, but visitors can visit the caboose at any time, even when the museum is closed. It's parked behind the museum at Bayard and 2nd Street.
Washington, which is 4 miles south of Dutzow, has a caboose next to the Amtrak station on the riverfront
Marthasville - Choo Choo's Frozen Custard
Boonville (photo below)
New Franklin - Old abandoned car
Windsor trailhead "Bicentennial Car"
Windsor/Calhoun - Cruce's Cabooses
Clinton trailhead

Boonville

Other relics of M-K-T history

MKT explosives bunker, mile 177.5
MKT Logo painted on bluff, mile 177.9
Rocheport Tunnel, mile 178.9
Old train signal, mile 213.2

MKT Logo on Bluff Photo by: Jim & Laurie Allshouse

Ride the Train!

Combine your Katy trip with a train ride! It's not the M-K-T, but Amtrak stops at several towns near the Katy Trail. Many cyclists and hikers travel one direction on the trail and then use the train to get back where they started. Here's where Amtrak stations are located, along with their corresponding Katy Trail trailheads in parentheses:

Washington (Dutzow trailhead, mile 74)
Hermann (McKittrick trailhead, mile 100.8)
Jefferson City (North Jefferson trailhead, mile 143.2)
Sedalia (on the trail, mile 229)

Note that the Missouri River bridges between Washington-Marthasville and Hermann-McKittrick are not wide enough to accommodate bikes or pedestrians, so you may need to arrange a shuttle or escort across these bridges. Many of the hotels and B&Bs in these towns (and Jefferson City) will send a shuttle van to the trailhead for their guests.

For cyclists who don't mind street riding, the Kirkwood Amtrak station in St Louis County provides access to the eastern end of the trail in St Charles. It's approximately 20 miles from the Kirkwood station to the Katy Trail; here's a discussion of how to get from the Kirkwood Amtrak station to the Katy Trail by bike.

See the Katy Trail Amtrak guide for a detailed discussion of riding Amtrak along the Katy Trail.

More Railroad History along the Katy Trail

There's a Railroad Heritage Museum in the Sedalia Depot.

Most trailheads along the western part of the Katy Trail are designed like depot seating areas, with extensive historical information on the "bulletin boards."

The Foundry Art Centre in St Charles was once part of the American Car & Foundry Co. train car factory.

In addition to a Santa Fe caboose manufactured at the American Car & Foundry Co., the Frenchtown Heritage Museum in St Charles has a model train display/layout, including a train wreck, depicting Frenchtown around 1900.

You'll also find that some businesses along the trail use a railroad theme, often with interesting artifacts from the railroad.

You will cross many old iron bridges along the Katy Trail, which obviously were built for the railroad. A few have been replaced with wooden bridges for the much lighter load of trail users.

Why does the trail start at mile 39, rather than mile 0? Because the trail mile marker system uses the old railroad mileage, and St Charles was at mile 39 on the railroad route.

If we forgot to list anything on this page, please let us know.

Useful/Related Resources

Comments about MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail from other riders

Share your comments about MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail with other Katy Trail riders! Add your comment/question, or view all comments.

Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail Started: Jun 25 2008 1:50AM by Apple , AppletonCity, Missouri
I would like to see the Katy trail extended down to Appleton City, Missouri. I understand the MKT depot fully restored in town is one of the oldest in the state. I have hiked the entire route up to Clinton and very beautiful scenery. What would have to be done to extend down to us. We have a lot of sites and history to offer, specifically with the restored depot, MKT caboose, oldest library in the state and a beautiful historical district and museum. Please someone let me know what it takes to get it down to us. I think Nevada, MO would be onboard for it continuing the trail to them as well.
Replies: 3 (Last reply: Jun 27 2008 3:33PM by robert, columbia: "That would be great. I use the Katy trail for tra..." )	View This Topic

Subject: MKT Railroad History Started: Feb 27 2006 4:58PM by Al Baker , Ft. Smith, AR
I'm searching for the full name and history of the N. FS. & N.W. railroad through the Oklahoma panhandle. The railroad was later taken over by MKT.
Replies: 7 (Last reply: Feb 28 2008 9:32PM by sharon gerber, Cushing Ok.: "My dad Louis Hiatt work on M.K.T. railroad in 1945..." )	View This Topic

Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail Started: Jan 16 2008 2:12AM by Larry Juse , Bloomington MN
My Father started working for the MKT in 1965 in the Mpls area in sales and was transrered to Millwaukee WI as sales mgr. in 72 untill his death in 1980. I will allways remember that when ever we were stoped by a train crossing the road my Dad reminding us that,that what was puttting dinner on the table that night.
Replies: 0	Reply to This Topic

Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail Started: Jul 25 2007 8:57PM by Tony Hensley , Albany Texas
My Great Grandfather ,William T. Hensley, helped build the Katy through Texas. My Grandfather, Ersel Ray Hensley, helped tear out the track, atleast in the central Texas area. My father, Ersel Ray Hensley Jr., brought three of the original crossties to Hilo Hawaii because the Katy was such a big part of his growing up. Now my father is buried under those same crossties in my brother's yard here on the Big Island of Hawaii. By the way, the original depot for the Katy in Albany Texas is still there and is being used as a museum. I can remember playing under the depot landing in my childhood days. We used to put coins on the track to get smashed by the Katy. Thanks for listening.
Replies: 0	Reply to This Topic

Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail Started: Jul 15 2007 7:31PM by jean hooper , Marana, Arizona
In the early 40's my Dad was a laborer on the MKT railroad in Arcadia, OK. His Uncle Dice Simpson had at one time been a railroad foreman there. We lived in the section house and the railroad was right there. Every Wednesday the railroad conductor would toss out some pamphlets on bible stories for children for us. We children were always out there by the tracks waiting for our bible stories. The conductor would always smile and wave at us. We loved it!
Replies: 1 (Last reply: Jul 16 2007 4:39PM by DougK, Troy: "Has he or anyone else written down his memories as..." )	View This Topic

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