Kansas City Envisions 150-Mile Regional Commuter Rail System (2009 article) (Liberty: fit in, neighborhoods)

[Joke Insurance]

This is an old article but regardless of that, what do you guys think of the idea? Could it ever come to fruition? I did hear that recently, the proposal is teetering, something to do with trackage rights I believe.

Kansas City Envisions 150-Mile Regional Commuter Rail System « The Transport Politic

And the map:

[xenokc]

It's dependent on the freight railroad companies. KC is the second busiest freight rail center in US. Is difficult enough just to work with one but there are multiple rail companies that make it more complicated. Lots of planets/moon/sun will need to align to make this happen. The rail companies don't seem to be interested unless they can profit more from railtime for commuters than for freight.

[MOKAN]

I'm interested in the name of the former KCK rail ROW that map illustrates. I know that east of 635 it's the Kansas and Missouri Railway and Terminal Co, at least per the map linked below. KCK's planning department has it pegged for a Trolley Track-type trail like in Brookside, which is brilliant because the ROW goes right through KCK's Brookside-type neighborhoods and can tap some major potential. West of 635, though, I've never been able to see the ROW's route on satellite imagery.

Greater Kansas City. / Gallup Map & Supply Company / 1920

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by xenokc

The rail companies don't seem to be interested unless they can profit more from railtime for commuters than for freight.

How do you think that could benefit in your area? I've never been to KC so I wouldn't know.

[MOKAN]

I like how KCK is getting some action in that rail plan, but the trip between downtown and Liberty looks very inefficient and out of the way.

[vinix1999]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

I'm interested in the name of the former KCK rail ROW that map illustrates. I know that east of 635 it's the Kansas and Missouri Railway and Terminal Co, at least per the map linked below. KCK's planning department has it pegged for a Trolley Track-type trail like in Brookside, which is brilliant because the ROW goes right through KCK's Brookside-type neighborhoods and can tap some major potential. West of 635, though, I've never been able to see the ROW's route on satellite imagery.

Greater Kansas City. / Gallup Map & Supply Company / 1920

I think west of 635 it is just going to follow the route of least resistance. I doubt if the city or county owns any ROW out towards 435. There were RR and interurban ROWs near and along Parallel and Leavenworth, but they've been gone for 60+ years. KCK must be assuming they could reacquire the ROW, like KCMO did with the Trolley Track Trail. But even with it the infrastructure is long gone (save for one bridge that would likely be replaced).

[MOKAN]

Originally Posted by vinix1999

I think west of 635 it is just going to follow the route of least resistance. I doubt if the city or county owns any ROW out towards 435. There were RR and interurban ROWs near and along Parallel and Leavenworth, but they've been gone for 60+ years. KCK must be assuming they could reacquire the ROW, like KCMO did with the Trolley Track Trail. But even with it the infrastructure is long gone (save for one bridge that would likely be replaced).

Yes, but the path of least resistance is plentiful west of 635. I'm familiar with the area on the ground and have tried finding any indication of a rail ROW on Google maps. Old rail ROWS are usually easy to find. In fact, I think this one is the first I haven't been able to trace. East of 635 the ROW seems to be intact, and I would assume the city owns it but I don't know for sure.

Where is the bridge you speak of? Know of any maps or any other info?

I grew up a neighborhood-scale block away from the Kansas City, Leavenworth, and Western interurban corridor, which I believe is what you're referring to as being along the Parallel and Leavenworth Rd corridors. A lot of information on that line can be found in one place, here:

http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/documents/kckleavenworth.pdf

[MOKAN]

Upon a second look for a former rail ROW west of 635 corresponding with the route on the OP's map, I now think it never existed and that in the transit plan the map represents simply wanted to use the I-70, Turner Diagonal, and State Ave ROW's. I only assumed the route followed a former rail ROW, which was my mistake.

[vinix1999]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

Where is the bridge you speak of? Know of any maps or any other info?

I was referring to the one bridge on the Trolley Track Trail in KC, near Wornall and 69th Street. And I believe you are correct in assuming KCK would want to just generally follow old ROWs if a rail line was ever built.