Sedalia Katy Depot, Missouri

Written By Kelsey Cecil

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

Depot museumMon to Sat April 1 to Dec 15; weekdays only in winter

Built in 1896 for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and fully restored in 2001, the Sedalia Katy Depot tells how a town platted to attract the railroads grew up around them, and it now welcomes Katy Trail riders, rail fans and travelers.

  • Depot built in 1896
  • Restored in 2001
  • National Register listed in 1979
  • Two Missouri Pacific cabooses
  • Katy Trail mile marker 227.1
  • ADA accessible facilities

Sedalia Katy Depot at a glance

Hours
April 1 to Dec 15: Mon to Sat 9 am to 4 pm; Dec 16 to March 31: Mon to Fri 9 am to 4 pm
Admission
Not posted online; call 660-826-2932
Plan for
About 1 hour
Best for
Rail history fans, Katy Trail riders and families on a road trip
Best ages
Ages 4 and up
Parking
Trailhead parking with ample space around the depot
Accessibility
ADA accessible facilities.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Sedalia Katy Depot? 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 Sedalia.

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.

The depot at the heart of a railroad town

Sedalia was platted to attract the railroads, and for generations its economy depended on them. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, known everywhere as the Katy, reached Sedalia from Fort Scott, Kansas by December 1870, and traffic grew so fast that larger depot facilities soon followed. The current passenger depot was dedicated in May 1896, and for decades it greeted Katy passengers and anchored a complex that was once the center of town.

The depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. In 1990 a group of local supporters founded the Sedalia Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to preserve, interpret and operate the landmark. Their work led to a complete restoration finished in 2001, and the building was rededicated in May 2002.

Much of that effort traces to Deborah Smith Biermann, the foundation's founding executive director, whose commitment to the depot and to the memory of Sedalia's railroad workers and their families is honored in the name of the exhibit gallery. Today the foundation runs the depot as managing tenant in partnership with Missouri State Parks, with an eight-member board, a full-time director, three part-time employees and Friends of the Depot who raise money. It receives no government subsidy and relies on grants, sponsors, memberships, fees and store sales.

Exhibits, cabooses and the ladies' waiting room

Inside, the Deb Biermann Exhibit Gallery tells the story of Sedalia and the railroad through a short video, scale models of local landmark buildings and storyboards on the people who shaped the town. Exhibits cover Robert S. Stevenson and the founding of the MKT Railroad, the Smith men, a family of railroaders, founder George R. Smith, Scott Joplin, and the architect of the Missouri State Fairgrounds, along with revolving shows on the area's history and culture. Tours are self-guided, but groups can book a guided behind-the-scenes look at the restoration.

Outside, two Missouri Pacific cabooses, including MoPac Caboose 12099, sit among four public art sculptures. Don't skip the old Women's Waiting Room, with its large fireplace, green tiled hearth and carved mantel; it now serves as an event room for up to 40 people. The depot is also a full-service Katy Trail trailhead with restrooms, water, a bike fix-it station and a gift shop selling railroad and ragtime items.

Don’t miss

  1. MoPac Caboose 12099One of the two Missouri Pacific cabooses displayed on the depot grounds, a favorite photo stop.
  2. Sedalia and the Railroad exhibitA short film and scale model buildings show how the Katy complex shaped the town.
  3. The Women's Waiting RoomA restored 1890s ladies' waiting room with a carved mantel and a green tiled hearth, built for privacy and a view of the platform.
  4. Robert S. Stevenson and the MKTA storyboard on the founding of the railroad that gave the depot its name.
  5. Depot storeKaty Trail souvenirs, railroad and ragtime gifts, Missouri-made products and books by local authors.

Cabooses outside and a model train exhibit on the way

Young visitors usually head straight for the two Missouri Pacific cabooses and the public art outside. Inside, the scale models of Sedalia buildings and the short video are easy for kids to follow, and the F.L.A.T. Cats, the depot's Fun-Loving Adventure Troupe, introduce Sedalia's landmarks in a kid-friendly way.

More is coming for train-loving kids. The foundation is developing the Robert W.S. Stevens Toy and Model Train Exhibit in the original Railway Express Agency building next door, with operating layouts, maps and artifacts, and a Katy Kids Club of model train play dates. Facilities are ADA accessible, with restrooms and water on site.

Plan your visit: tips for Sedalia Katy Depot

  • Closed Sundays all year and closed on major holidays, including Good Friday and the day after Thanksgiving.
  • Call ahead in bad weather to check whether the depot is open.
  • Book a guided group tour in advance by phone or email.
  • Riding the Katy Trail? The depot has restrooms, water, a bike fix-it station and shuttle info.
  • Pick up a Heritage Trail map here to tour Sedalia's historic districts.

The Sedalia Heritage Foundation and its Friends

Since 1990 the nonprofit Sedalia Heritage Foundation has cared for the depot, and it covers an average annual budget of about $200,000 without government subsidy. Friends of the Depot raise funds and provide volunteer help. Visitors can support the work by shopping the depot store, renting the Women's Waiting Room for an event, booking a guided tour or becoming a member.

Other rail stops from Sedalia

West toward Kansas City, the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad runs Saturday train rides about 70 miles away. The Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, about 71 miles north, shares the Santa Fe railroad story of Walt's boyhood town. Springfield's Frisco railroad museum is about 102 miles south. See every Missouri train museum for more.

Every train museum in Missouri

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The old Women's Waiting Room here was built with big windows so travelers could watch everything happening on the platform while they waited. That's Rally's favorite spot on any train, too. In our book he looks out an arched window, sees the ocean and says hello to a white bird. I love picturing a little one at these windows, waiting for the Katy to pull in. Our free coloring pages include that window scene.

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 Sedalia Katy Depot?

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.

Sedalia Katy Depot: 20 questions visitors ask

What is the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot Museum in Sedalia?

It is the Sedalia Katy Depot, a passenger station built in 1896 for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, known as the Katy. Restored in 2001, it now holds a railroad and local history exhibit gallery, serves as a Katy Trail trailhead and is Sedalia's visitor welcome center.

Where is the Sedalia Katy Depot?

The depot is at 600 East Third Street, Sedalia, MO 65301. It sits at mile marker 227.1 of Katy Trail State Park and is the starting point for Sedalia's Heritage Trail loop through the downtown and State Fairgrounds historic districts. Call 660-826-2932 for directions.

What are the Sedalia Katy Depot hours?

As of October 2026, the depot is open 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday from April 1 to December 15, and 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday from December 16 to March 31. It is closed Sundays. In bad weather, call 660-826-2932 to check before you go.

Does the Sedalia Katy Depot charge admission?

The depot does not post an admission price online. Guests at events in the Women's Waiting Room get free admission to the exhibit gallery. Call 660-826-2932 or email katydepotsedalia@gmail.com to confirm the current cost of visiting the exhibits.

What holidays is the Sedalia Katy Depot closed?

The depot is closed on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is also closed every Sunday, so plan weekend visits for Saturday.

When was the Sedalia Katy Depot built?

The depot was dedicated in May 1896 by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, although some references give 1895 as the construction date. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, completely restored in 2001 and rededicated in May 2002.

What railroad cars are at the Sedalia Katy Depot?

Two Missouri Pacific cabooses are displayed on the depot grounds, including MoPac Caboose 12099, along with four public art sculptures. They are outdoor displays, so you can see them even while walking or biking along the Katy Trail.

What exhibits are inside the Sedalia Katy Depot?

The Deb Biermann Exhibit Gallery features Sedalia and the Railroad, with a short video and scale model landmark buildings, plus Sedalia's Roots and Branches storyboards on figures such as founder George R. Smith, Scott Joplin and Robert S. Stevenson of the MKT. Revolving exhibits cover other parts of local history.

Can I take a guided tour of the Sedalia Katy Depot?

Yes. Exhibits are self-guided, but guided group tours can be scheduled for a more detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the depot's history and restoration. Book in advance by calling 660-826-2932 or emailing katydepotsedalia@gmail.com. Tours offer a glimpse of the Sedalia of yesteryear, when the Katy complex was the heart of the city.

Is the Sedalia Katy Depot good for kids?

Yes, especially for a short stop. Kids can see the two cabooses outside, watch the short film and look at scale model buildings inside. The foundation is also developing a toy and model train exhibit and a Katy Kids Club of model train play dates in the old Railway Express Agency building.

Is there a model train exhibit at the Sedalia Katy Depot?

One is in development. The Robert W.S. Stevens Toy and Model Train Exhibit is planned for the original Railway Express Agency building next to the depot, with operating and static layouts, railroad maps, photographs, artifacts and a reference library. Check with the depot for its opening date.

Is the Sedalia Katy Depot a Katy Trail trailhead?

Yes. The depot is a full-service trailhead at mile marker 227.1 of Katy Trail State Park, with trailhead parking, restrooms, water, a bike fix-it station, shuttle service information and Katy Trail souvenirs. It is run in partnership with Missouri State Parks.

Is there parking at the Sedalia Katy Depot?

Yes. The depot offers trailhead parking and says there is ample parking around the facility. It is a popular starting point for Katy Trail rides, so lots can be busier on pleasant weekend days. Call 660-826-2932 if you are bringing a bus.

Is the Sedalia Katy Depot wheelchair accessible?

The depot lists ADA accessible facilities, including for its event room. Outdoor displays such as the cabooses are viewed from the grounds. Call 660-826-2932 if you have specific access questions before your visit. Restrooms and water are also available on site for trail users and visitors.

Can I rent the Sedalia Katy Depot for a party?

Yes. The historic Women's Waiting Room, about 1,372 square feet, holds up to 40 people and comes with 40 folding chairs and 10 six-foot tables, plus free gallery admission for guests. It suits birthday parties, showers, reunions and meetings. Call 660-826-2932 for pricing and dates.

Does the Sedalia Katy Depot have a gift shop?

Yes. The depot store sells Katy Trail souvenirs, railroad and ragtime items, Missouri-made products, local arts and crafts and books by local authors, both in the building and online. Purchases help support the nonprofit Sedalia Heritage Foundation.

Who runs the Sedalia Katy Depot?

The Sedalia Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990, runs the depot as managing tenant in partnership with the Missouri Division of State Parks. An eight-member board, a full-time executive director and three part-time staff lead the work, supported by Friends of the Depot.

Is there an Amtrak station near the Sedalia Katy Depot?

Yes, the depot's website lists a nearby Amtrak station among its visitor services. Staff at the depot welcome center can point you to it and help with other travel information. Call 660-826-2932 for directions before your trip.

How can I support the Sedalia Katy Depot?

The foundation receives no government subsidy, so you can help by shopping the depot store, booking an event or a guided tour, becoming a member, or joining Friends of the Depot. Email katydepotsedalia@gmail.com or call 660-826-2932 to ask how to get involved.

What train museums are near the Sedalia Katy Depot?

The Museum of Missouri Military History in Jefferson City is about 58 miles away. The Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad offers train rides about 70 miles west, and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, with railroad exhibits, is about 71 miles north.

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