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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
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Sedalia Depot
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Old Train Cars
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Boonville
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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:
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
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Comments
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Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail
Started: Jul 7 2008 5:08PM
by Peri McMillan
, Agana, Guam
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My great grandmother's brother T.Z.(Thomas) Williams lived in Denison, TX and was a Katy engineer. T.Z. died in a Katy train wreck in 1911 and I'm trying to find out any info on him. His wife's name was Laura (maiden name Bray). They are both buried in Denison. Any help you might be able to give me would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
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Replies: 1
(Last reply: Feb 7 2009 6:23PM
by Tina Denison, Texas:
"There is a newspaper......"
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Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail in Texas
Started: Jan 14 2009 6:44AM
by sjg
, Lubbock, Tx
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My Daddy's grandfather, sirnamed "Gum" was a conductor on the MKT out of the South Texas-Houston area. This would have been around the 1920's-1930's. My dad was born in 1922 and he remembers his grandfather actually working for the railroad, and remembers being quite impressed with his "conductor's watch." My dad recalls "riding the train" from Houston to Galveston. This would have been the MKT. Evidently his grandfather could get them passes. Was there a branch line that ran down to or toward Corpus Christi at that time? Anybody know?
trikt@sbcglobal.net
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Replies: 4
(Last reply: Jan 22 2009 9:50PM
by Dick Gabriel, Marietta, GA:
"The most likely connection from the Katy to Corpus..."
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Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail
Started: Jun 25 2008 1:50AM
by Apple
, AppletonCity, Missouri
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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.
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Replies: 3
(Last reply: Jun 27 2008 3:33PM
by robert, columbia:
"That would be great. I use the Katy trail for tra..."
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Subject: MKT Railroad History
Started: Feb 27 2006 4:58PM
by Al Baker
, Ft. Smith, AR
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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.
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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..."
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Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail
Started: Jan 16 2008 2:12AM
by Larry Juse
, Bloomington MN
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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.
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Replies: 0
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Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail
Started: Jul 25 2007 8:57PM
by Tony Hensley
, Albany Texas
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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.
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Replies: 0
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Subject: MKT Railroad History Along the Katy Trail
Started: Jul 15 2007 7:31PM
by jean hooper
, Marana, Arizona
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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!
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Replies: 1
(Last reply: Jul 16 2007 4:39PM
by DougK, Troy:
"Has he or anyone else written down his memories as..."
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