Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad, Missouri

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Belton, Missouri · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRegular runs May through October, Saturdays at 11 am and 2 pm

The Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad, now presenting itself as the Belton Missouri Historical Railroad, carries passengers in a 1920s coach over a surviving stretch of the Frisco's old Kansas City to Springfield High Line.

  • Group founded in 1964
  • In Belton since 1990
  • 1950s diesel locomotive
  • 1920s passenger coach
  • Ride in the engine cab

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad at a glance

Hours
Saturdays at 11 am and 2 pm, May through October
Admission
Ages 3 and under free, ages 4 to 10 $10, ages 11 and up $17; caboose $50, engine $75
Train rides
Short heritage train rides from the Belton depot, May through October
Seasonal events
Special themed runs announced on the website
Plan for
About 1 hour
Best for
Families with young children and rail fans
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Belton.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A railroad club that bought its own piece of the Frisco

The organization behind this railroad started in 1964 in Lenexa, Kansas. Over the following decades it moved through several locations and for a time operated as the Kansas City Railroad Museum. In 1990 the group came to Belton after buying a segment of track from the Burlington Northern, and it has run trains there ever since.

That track has a long story of its own. It is a short section of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway's Blair Line, also called the High Line, built in the late 1800s to run from the old Grand Central Station at 2nd and Wyandotte in Kansas City, milepost 0, south through Swope Park, Grandview, Belton, Peculiar and Harrisonville and on toward Clinton, Osceola, Bolivar and Springfield. The Belton depot sat at milepost 28.2. When the Truman Dam was built, the line from East Lynne to Springfield was cut in 1979 because a bypass was not worth the cost, and Burlington Northern ran what was left until abandoning it in 1986. North of 155th Street, the Kansas City Southern still uses the old line to serve local industries.

Now the railroad is entering what its volunteers call a new era. It is rebranding as the Belton Missouri Historical Railroad, refreshing how it operates, and planning new themed rides and community events tied to the history of the railroad and downtown Belton.

From the depot through Belton Park

The train is a small set of real equipment from different eras: a 1950s diesel locomotive up front, a passenger coach from the 1920s and an open-air excursion car for riders who want the breeze. Trips leave the depot in Old Towne Belton and head south and southeast through Belton Park, crossing Mullen Road and running alongside US Highway 71 for about a quarter mile before the line ends at Cambridge Road.

Watch for the old Frisco mileposts as you ride: milepost 29 stands at the south end of Belton Park, and milepost 30 is near the bottom of a long hill just before the track turns to follow US 71. The north end of the railroad's track, which runs up to 155th Street at the Cass and Jackson county line, is not used for passenger trips.

Don’t miss

  1. A seat in the engine cabRiders 18 and older can book a spot in the 1950s diesel's cab for $75, with only a few tickets per departure.
  2. The cabooseFor $50 you can ride in the caboose, a good choice for families who want a more private view of the line.
  3. The open-air excursion carThe best place to hear the locomotive and feel the air on a warm Saturday.
  4. Milepost 29 and 30Original Frisco mileposts along the route, counting the miles from Kansas City's old Grand Central Station.

Short rides that suit small travelers

The ride is short and simple, which makes it a good first train trip for little kids. Children 3 and under ride free, and the open-air car lets them see and hear the locomotive up close. Older kids may want to try the caboose, while the engine cab is reserved for riders over 18.

Regular departures are on Saturday mornings and early afternoons, and the railroad says it is adding new themed rides as part of its rebrand, so watch its website and social media for family events.

Plan your visit: tips for Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad

  • Buy tickets online ahead of time; seats in the caboose and engine are limited for each departure.
  • Engine cab riders must be over 18.
  • Watch the railroad's website for new themed rides as it rebrands.
  • Pair the ride with a walk around Old Towne Belton.

Volunteers since 1964

The railroad is run by the nonprofit group that began in Lenexa in 1964 and has kept trains running in Belton since 1990. Buying a ticket is the most direct way to support the line, and you can email info@beltonrailroad.org or call (816) 441-8276 to ask about volunteering or helping with the rebrand.

More rail trips around Kansas City

Across the state line, Baldwin City has two rail options about 35 miles away: the Midland Railway Historical Association and the Kansas Belle Dinner Train. In Missouri, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot Museum in Sedalia is about 70 miles east. Browse every train museum in Missouri for more.

Every train museum in Missouri

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Before Rally rides in our book, he packs his suitcase with his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. A Saturday morning ride in Belton feels like that kind of trip, small and exciting all at once. My kids would argue over who gets the open-air car. If your little one is packing for a first train ride, our train books for toddlers are good company on the way.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad: 20 rider questions

What is the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad?

It is a volunteer heritage railroad and museum in Belton, Missouri, that gives passenger rides on a surviving section of the old St. Louis-San Francisco Railway line from Kansas City to Springfield. The group is rebranding as the Belton Missouri Historical Railroad, but many people still know it by the longer name.

How much are Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, regular tickets are free for ages 3 and under, $10 for ages 4 to 10, and $17 for ages 11 and up. A seat in the caboose costs $50 and a seat in the engine costs $75. Check beltonrailroad.org for the current prices before you go.

Can I buy Belton railroad tickets online?

Yes. The railroad sells tickets through a Buy Tickets link on beltonrailroad.org. Buying ahead is wise, since tickets are limited for each departure, especially the special caboose and engine seats. Call (816) 441-8276 or email info@beltonrailroad.org if you have questions about your order.

When does the Belton train run?

As of October 2026, regular runs are scheduled May through October, on Saturdays at 11 am and 2 pm. The railroad also adds special themed runs during the year and announces them on its website and social media, so check there for dates outside the regular schedule.

Can you ride in the engine on the Belton railroad?

Yes. For $75 you can ride in the cab of the railroad's 1950s diesel locomotive. Engine riders must be over 18, and only a limited number of engine tickets are available for each departure, so book early if you want one. The caboose ride, at $50, is open to younger riders.

Where does the Belton train ride go?

Trips leave the depot in Old Towne Belton and run south and southeast through Belton Park, cross Mullen Road, and parallel US Highway 71 for about a quarter of a mile before reaching the end of the line at Cambridge Road. You will pass old Frisco mileposts 29 and 30 along the way.

Where is the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad?

The railroad is in Old Towne Belton, Missouri, south of Kansas City. Its listed address is 502 E. Walnut Street, Belton, MO 64012, and its depot sits at the old milepost 28.2 near 58 Highway. Call (816) 441-8276 for directions to the boarding area.

What trains does the Belton railroad have?

The railroad runs a 1950s diesel locomotive, a 1920s era passenger coach and an open-air excursion car, and it sells special seats in a caboose. Together they give a feel for passenger travel from different decades of the twentieth century. Check the website to see which cars are running on your date.

What is the history of the Belton railroad line?

The track is a short piece of the Frisco's Blair Line, or High Line, built in the late 1800s from Kansas City to Springfield. The section south of East Lynne was cut in 1979 when the Truman Dam was built, and Burlington Northern abandoned the rest in 1986. The volunteers bought their segment from Burlington Northern.

When was the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co. founded?

The group started in Lenexa, Kansas in 1964 and moved through several locations, operating for a time as the Kansas City Railroad Museum. It moved to Belton in 1990 after purchasing its segment of railroad from the Burlington Northern, and it has run trains there since.

Is the Belton railroad now called the Belton Missouri Historical Railroad?

Yes. The railroad says it is entering a new era, with updated branding as the Belton Missouri Historical Railroad, a refreshed way of operating, and new themed rides and community events. The old Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad name is still used for the company, so you will see both.

How far in advance should I buy Belton railroad tickets?

The railroad does not set a deadline, but tickets are limited for each departure, and the caboose and engine seats are the first to go. For a specific Saturday, buy online a week or more ahead, especially in early summer and fall. Same-day seats may be available if the train is not full.

Is the Belton train ride good for toddlers?

Yes, it is a good first ride. Children 3 and under ride free, the trip is short, and the open-air car lets little ones see and hear the locomotive. Morning departures at 11 am tend to fit nap schedules well. Bring sun protection if you plan to sit in the open car.

Are there themed or holiday train rides in Belton?

The railroad says it schedules special themed runs throughout the year and is adding new themed rides and community events as part of its rebrand. It does not list specific holiday trains in its regular schedule, so follow its website and social media for announcements.

Where can I see photos and reviews of the Belton railroad?

The railroad posts updates on its website and social media, which is the best place to see current photos of the equipment and themed rides. Travel review sites also carry rider reviews. Families often mention how easy the short ride is with young kids.

Is the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad wheelchair accessible?

The railroad does not post accessibility details online. The 1920s coach and caboose likely involve steps, while the open-air car may be easier, but confirm before you go. Email info@beltonrailroad.org or call (816) 441-8276 to ask how volunteers can help.

How long is the Belton train ride?

The route is short, running from the depot near milepost 28.2 south to Cambridge Road, just past milepost 30. The railroad does not post a ride time online, so plan about an hour for boarding and the round trip and ask at the depot for the exact length.

Who owns the track north of the Belton depot?

The railroad's own track runs north to 155th Street, the border between Cass and Jackson counties, though that north end is not used for passenger trips. North of 155th Street, the line belongs to the Kansas City Southern, which still uses it to serve industries near Grandview.

How can I volunteer with the Belton railroad?

The railroad is run by volunteers and is growing its events and rides as it rebrands. To ask about volunteering, email info@beltonrailroad.org or call (816) 441-8276. Riding the train and spreading the word are other ways to support the group's work in Belton.

What other train attractions are near Belton?

The Midland Railway Historical Association and the Kansas Belle Dinner Train are both about 35 miles away in Baldwin City, Kansas. The Historic Santa Fe Depot in Lawrence is about 39 miles away, and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot Museum in Sedalia is about 70 miles east.

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