Pumpkin Express

Name: Pumpkin Express
Item: Belton Grandview and KC Railroad
Author: Kristina Light

An Autumn Train Trip aboard the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad

by Kristina Light

October 13, 2012

4:00 p.m.

Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad

All Aboard! The young, and the young-at-heart, LOVE trains... the charm, the fun memories and nostalgia. Every autumn, the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad offers a seasonal treat with Pumpkin Express rides. The organization is a non-profit volunteer organization run by volunteers like John, who happily tells every visitor his pay is the smile on the kids' faces... and do they ever smile!

Facts & Tips:

Info: Visit the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad website before your visit. You may pre-purchase tickets online, but that is not required. They only sell half the seats in advance to ensure that visitors who arrive have a chance to ride. The train is CLOSER than you think! It is 10-30 minutes from most locations in the metro. The Depot is located at 502 E. Walnut St. Belton, MO.
Pumpkin Express Schedule: Last 3 Weekends in October with rides at 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30pm (rain or shine).
Not Accessible: The aisles on the train are narrow, and there are stairs to board the train, so it is not accessible for guests in wheelchairs.
Directions: The Belton Depot is approximately 10 miles south of the I-470, I-435, US 71 interchange (the Three Trails Crossing, a.k.a. the Grandview Triangle). Take US 71 south to the Belton 163rd Street exit (Formerly 'Y' Highway). Turn Right (West/South) and follow 163rd St. to the stop light (MO 58 and 163rd St. intersection). Turn Right (West) and go 2 blocks to Walnut St. Turn Left (South) onto Walnut and proceed until you reach the railroad tracks, the depot will be on your Right. Cross the tracks and park.
Pumpkins: The Pumpkin Express takes guests to visit a Pumpkin Patch (if it is not raining) or offers the chance to purchase a Pumpkin from the flat car (if it is raining). Purchase of pumpkins is optional and prices range from $3-10 according to size.
Engine Rides: Rides aboard the Engine are offered for an additional fee.
Gift Shop: After your ride, be sure to visit the gift shop where you'll find t-shirts, engineer caps, toy trains, puzzles, and more.
Don't miss out on the Museum (the displays in the train yard)! Explore the locomotive where guests are invited for a look at the inside and a chance to meet the Engineer, and walk the yard to see display equipment, a Hospitality Car (you may explore the inside of the car), the Caboose, two retired Steam Locomotives and more. Don't miss out on these fun attractions for train buffs while you're there.
Dress for the Express: Children are encouraged to wear costumes aboard the Pumpkin Express, however this is not required... just come for fun!
Remember: Bring the camera for fun photo ops!
Plan Ahead for Christmas: In December, they offer Santa Trains. Tickets go on sale November 1 for rides on December 1 & 8 at 9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm. Passengers enjoy a winter train ride with Santa with hot chocolate and a cookie. $14/ea.
Before or After: Visit http://mainstreetbelton.com/ where you'll find antique shops, boutiques, the Belton Historical Society Museum, and restaurants... including Tara's Malt Shop - an old-fashioned ice cream shop the kids LOVE!

The Pumpkin Express:

I was excited to take my girls for a ride on the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad's Pumpkin Express, where my grandfather volunteered years ago. We rode aboard a 1920 passenger coach that traveled over one million miles before being retired in 1984. The Engine is a 1950s diesel locomotive, traveling through Old Towne Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip.

Volunteers decorated the inside of the train with fall decorations and music plays as you ride. We rode the train through rain, but we learned that sunny days in the fall offer guests their once-a-year chance to exit the train mid-trip as it stops in a field decorated with fall scarecrows, pumpkins and haystacks. Children select a favorite pumpkin to purchase and play fall-themed games (bean bag toss, ring toss and such) earning prizes. Washable tattoos are a favorite! On a rainy day, guests remain aboard and have the chance to select a pumpkin from the flat car.

The magic of the train is found in the heart of the volunteers. You'll meet the Conductor (in costume) who greets guests and collects tickets, ladies in costume cheerfully greeting families, and volunteers with a passion for trains who maintain the track and trains, the Engineer greets visitors after the trip and guests are given a chance to board the Engine and ask questions about the train, making the trip fun and educational... and not one worker receives pay for their work, they are all motivated by their love for the kids and the joy of seeing the smiles on their faces!

Our children had a wonderful time aboard the train and they unanimously agree that it was a favorite fall outing this year!