SWC #3 Layover in Kansas City

[Rider]

I see the Southwest Chief has about a 45 minute layover in KCY at around 10 pm. What's the neighborhood of the station like? I am willing to risk a short walk around if there's anything to see, or maybe a place to get a quick beer.

 

[Acela150]

I see the Southwest Chief has about a 45 minute layover in KCY at around 10 pm. What's the neighborhood of the station like? I am willing to risk a short walk around if there's anything to see, or maybe a place to get a quick beer.

It's not a good to leave the station area to get a beer. IMO. But if you feel comfortable enough to leave the station and the train not leaving without you then do it. Some may agree some may not. Sometimes the SWC has a tendency to run late into KCY. So you won't have the time to grab a beer anyway. Just my opinions.

 

[saxman]

I wouldn't leave the actual station. It's not that the area is unsafe. It's just that it's a little risky. If the train is on time, be sure and note the exact scheduled departure time, and be back on board or at least trainside, 10 to 15 minutes prior to that. KCY Union Station is in my opinion the most beautiful station still standing. As long as you have time, you should definitely go in and see the station. You'll be able to see the old Harvey House restaurant, (which still operates as one) as well as the old ticketing booths and the waiting area where people would wait for their train. Amtrak's area is in a little room off to the side. If your train is late though, I would probably not venture inside. They'll use that scheduled dwell time to make up for lost time, and they will depart as soon as people and bags are loaded and other station work is complete.

 

[alanh]

The train won't leave before the published departure time; you can count on that. You should plan to be back on board a few minutes beforehand, though. As long as you can get back by that time, you're fine.

(There are a few exceptions to this rule, mostly stations where they only detrain passengers. Since no one is getting on, they don't have to wait.)

Where people get in trouble is assuming the layover time (34 minutes) will stay the same if the train is late. The departure time is 10:45pm; if the train is late they will still try to leave as close to that as possible, even if that's less that 34 minutes.

 

[zephyr17]

The train won't leave before the published departure time; you can count on that. You should plan to be back on board a few minutes beforehand, though. As long as you can get back by that time, you're fine.

(There are a few exceptions to this rule, mostly stations where they only detrain passengers. Since no one is getting on, they don't have to wait.)

Where people get in trouble is assuming the layover time (34 minutes) will stay the same if the train is late. The departure time is 10:45pm; if the train is late they will still try to leave as close to that as possible, even if that's less that 34 minutes.

It is a pretty long walk just between the platform and the station, plus a pretty tall staircase.

 

[Rider>>]

>>What's the neighborhood of the station like? I am willing to risk a short walk around <<

What's it like around the station area? Thanks.

 

[CNW]

KCY is my departure station and it is beautiful. Personally I would not leave the station. The Harvey House has closed and moved to a small more open area in the lobby. Pierponts is a steak house and bar in the station and could be open when the train arrives. Again I would not leave the station for a 45 minute lay over.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

The station itself is worth a look, but it is a maze around the area and IIRC not much in the way of markets. There's some bars and places to grab grub (took advantage of this on a MORR/SWC layover) but the SWCs layover is just too short.

 

[Steve4031]

There is a restaurant on the station but not much else. To wander around looking for beer is a recipe for missing the train. The next one does not leave for 24 hours. If a beer is worth that much hassle then go for it.

 

[Trogdor]

If the beer is that important, they do serve beer in the lounge car on board the train.

 

[ScottC4746]

I see the Southwest Chief has about a 45 minute layover in KCY at around 10 pm. What's the neighborhood of the station like? I am willing to risk a short walk around if there's anything to see, or maybe a place to get a quick beer.

I would not venture away from the train. As someone posted, if the paperwork is complete and boarding and alighting is complete, you could be watching the red light on the back of the train get further and further away. The only station I understand they encourage people to go to Denny's nearby is SS Ltd/TX E in SAS because we are talking hours of a layover.

 

[Rider]

I guess I appreciate all of your concern that I WILL miss the train. Recipe for disaster etc. I have ridden many miles on Amtrak and never missed one yet by being late. I have one of those electronic things that tells me what time it is? You ever see one? Also, I am not the kind of guy who will try to cut it to the last 5 minutes. I am a bit disturbed that only one or two answered the actual question. In the first post I said I AM WILLING TO RISK etc.

Best to you all, DON'T miss YOUR train, better get there way way early. Just to be safe, I recommend 6 hours. And bring your toothbrush! And your hankie.

 

[CNW]

Well some people like to live on the edge and some people don't! Let us know what you found to do.. we might learn something......

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I guess I appreciate all of your concern that I WILL miss the train. Recipe for disaster etc. I have ridden many miles on Amtrak and never missed one yet by being late. I have one of those electronic things that tells me what time it is? You ever see one? Also, I am not the kind of guy who will try to cut it to the last 5 minutes. I am a bit disturbed that only one or two answered the actual question. In the first post I said I AM WILLING TO RISK etc.

Best to you all, DON'T miss YOUR train, better get there way way early. Just to be safe, I recommend 6 hours. And bring your toothbrush! And your hankie.

If it's worth the risk, go for it-- after all, smart people with stupid ideas get away with it. Good luck!

 

[Steve4031]

And I'll wave at you from the railfan window as the train pills away with you standing on the platform holding your beer. Enjoy.

 

[TransitGeek]

Some hostility on this thread...

As a frequent transit rider, I can think of PLENTY of things that I've managed to accomplish in a 45 minute layover. (The joys of suburban transit...) Granted, I've never done it for a route that only runs daily, but I'm sure I could comfortably snag a beer and mail a postcard in 45 minutes- given that I knew where the bar and mailbox are. Given that requirement, which I'm sure the OP is aware of, perhaps somebody more knowledgeable than I could mention if there's somewhere within a couple blocks of KCY at which the gentleman could grab a beer? Or is the oft-cited station bar the only option?

 

[CNW]

Seems the OP is having a little chuckle at some of us for being so cautious about missing a train. I don't think I would ENJOY doing something with the thought of my train pulling away with my luggage onboard but not with me, because of a miscalculation. All that aside and to each his own there is a Jack Stax BBQ with a large bar, maybe even time to polish off a rack of ribs. Jack Stax is directly to the north and across the tracks. When I go there I access it by way of the overhead walkway leading from the station. Good luck and God speed....

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Jack Stax, last time I checked, closed around the time the SWC pulled in. I barely had time to place an order coming off of the last MORR.

 

[Cristobal]

Jack Stax, last time I checked, closed around the time the SWC pulled in. I barely had time to place an order coming off of the last MORR.

You would be correct about the timing. And it's Jack Stack.

 

[Rider]

Sorry to get a little testy folks. I am not really super adventurous, and as I said I have never missed a train - I an an always-on-time guy. I just happen to think that 45 minutes is a lot of time. I don't want to spend my life looking out the window at the world if I can be out in it!

Maybe the train will be late arriving, and I won't go far. Maybe the train will be early - I love me some Barbeque! I know I can get a beer on the train, but Barbeque! MMmmm.

Thanks all

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I get you, my friend went over to a supermarket at a mid-morning service stop in CO on the SWC to get beer (yes we were in a sleeper). I was worried about being late so I stuck behind and railfanned the BNSF yeard. (We really weren't friends, I met him on the MORR, thought he was cute, and upgraded him since I had an AGR deluxe bedroom and was traveling alone).

Anyway he made it back on time, noting that the chef had gone into the market too for some tomatoes for dinner salads. And obviously the TE crew wouldn't have left the cook behind, even if it meant delaying the train.

 

[alanh]

If you're on the train at 10:45pm, you aren't going to be left behind.

I've gone around the station area in ABQ during the long layover there. Just keep an eye on your watch.

 

[PaulM]

Just so that you don't get the idea we are all mother hens, Google Maps shows the Brasserie Bar just around the corner from the station.

Not that I would try it either :giggle:

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Monday I will be on the westbound Chief I don't wallk wells o will not get off, but if I can see something from the train I will pass hat on.

 

[como]

Crown Center is a ten minute walk from Union Station. There are two very nice hotels there, both with bars. A skywalk connects Crown Center to the station. It might be hard to do the walk and order a beer in 45 minutes, but you could enjoy your drink in a nice setting.