Here are some common questions we are asked. Hopefully your question is listed here with an answer.
Ticketing -
Q1 - What is eTix?
A1 - Etix is our ticketing and e-commerce partner for online reservations. After looking into what was required, we determined that we would not be able to build a safe e-commerce website and chose to partner with Etix. We have been with them or their predecessor since 2014 and have been happy with their work. As we moved in 2019 into the realm of Google's mandatory secure https:// and the EU rules on GDPR, we think that was an even wiser decision.
Q2 - Who is the Smoky Hill Railway and Historical Society, Inc.?
A2 - The short answer is that the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a D/B/A of Smoky Hill Railway and Historical Society, Inc. Smoky Hill is the long time Kansas City area railway museum. The group started in Lenexa in 1964, and moved to a number of locations and even operated for a while as the Kansas City Railroad Museum (KCRRM). The group moved to Belton in 1990 after purchasing our segment of railroad from the Burlington Northern. The longer answer is explained in our About page.
Q3 - When should I buy my tickets?
A3 - If you are going to buy your tickets online with our partner Etix.com, please make your purchase by at least the day before departure. Online ticket sales are cut off at noon before departure. We accept cash and Credit Cards at the Depot, HOWEVER due to COVID-19 we are limiting depot activity as much as possible, so we are encouraging our patrons to purchase tickets in advance!
Q4 - Do I need a ticket for my 2 year old?
A4 - Regular Trains - Children under the age of three (age on the day of departure) ride free on any normally scheduled train with a paid adult fare.
Santa Trains - All passengers must have a ticket, however we have a reduced the fare for those under 3.
Q5 - Do you have a senior rate? A child rate?
A5 - Though we do offer free fare to children under the age of 3, we do not offer any other discounted fares. We feel it is more fair to charge everyone equally rather than to inflate the adult fare to absorb the "discounts" that might be given for a Senior or Child fare. We hope you understand.
Q6 - Do you have a season pass or a family rate?
A6 - [Answer in development]
Q7 - Can I buy a ticket to Chicago, New Orleans, Oakland or Boston from you?
A7 - No, those are all Amtrak destinations. Please call Amtrak at 1 (800) USA-Rail [1-800-872-7245] or see their website at amtrak.com.
Schedule -
Q8 - What time do I need to arrive?
A8 - Please arrive early enough to purchase your tickets or pick up your will- call tickets and be prepared to board 20 minutes prior to departure. We are having some difficulty with passengers arriving very late, and causing delays to trains which can be quite miserable on a hot train in July, so we are introducing the policy that passengers must be prepared to board 20 minutes prior to departure. Passengers not checked in will now be subject to cancelation of their reservation, will forfeit their fare and will only accommodated on a first come first served basis on a future train.
Q9 - Do you run in the winter?
A9 - Our organization operates from May 1 to October 31 of each year, along with a brief visit with Santa the two Saturdays closest to Dec. 1. Diesel locomotives typically operate without antifreeze, so they are left running all the time during cold weather. So, due the huge expense for diesel fuel that would be incurred (as well as the needless waste of fuel and the resulting harm to the environment), we cannot operate in the cold weather. With this constraint in mind, we have set our schedule to minimize our exposure to freezing temperatures.
Q10 - Do you operate regularly scheduled trains during the week?
A10 - No, we do not have a regularly scheduled train during the week. Our volunteers typically have 9 to 5 jobs elsewhere, so our weekday events are limited to charter trains with lots of scheduling and prior notice.
On Board Amenities -
Q11 - Do you serve food?
A11 - Outside of our ice cream trains during the summer, we do not serve food on board. (PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NO ICE CREAM TRAINS IN 2021!) There are a number of restaurants in the local area, but we would recommend Tara's Café, Rich and Rich's On Main, The Tea Room by Country Keepsakes or Mary's Mountain Cookies on Main Street, and Oden's Barbeque on North Scott Street.
Q12 - Do you allow drinks on the train, and do you have drinks for sale?
A12 - We do allow drinks, but we do request where at all possible please use lids on children's drinks where possible. During hot weather we will typically have cold bottled water for sale for a dollar onboard the train. We also have a soda vending machine available next to our depot and cold soda and water for sale in our gift shop.
Q13 - Is the train heated / is there any air conditioned seating?
A13 - At this time all of our train cars are open window. For our December Santa events we do heat the car, but it still can be quite cool, due to the open doors from boarding. Please plan accordingly for warm weather in the summer, and cool weather in the spring, fall and winter.
Q14 - Do you allow Stollers?
A14 - We do not have space onboard the train for large strollers so we recommend the use of umbrella type strollers. Larger style strollers can be stored inside our depot while the train is out on the trip.
Q15 - Do you allow smoking?
A15 - Our Diesel locomotive does smoke a little, but our passengers and crew are prohibited from smoking at all times on board the train (even on the open air car!).
Q16 - If I plan a charter train, can I serve alcohol?
A16 - Railroad personnel are prohibited from handling any alcohol while on duty, but it is possible. Any charter that will include alcohol must be approved in advance, is subject to an additional fee, and the event host must agree to clean up all open and / or empty beverage containers and separately dispose of them.
Directions -
Q17 - How do I get there?
A17 - From the Metro area, please take 71 Highway / Interstate 49 South to the Belton 163rd Street / Y Highway exit. Turn Right on 163rd Street / Y Highway and travel through three stop lights to North Ave. / MO 58 Highway. Turn Right on North Ave. / Mo 58 Highway, and travel West to your second Left, Walnut Street. Travel on Walnut Street to the Railroad tracks. You can either park in the rail yard in between the tracks, or you can park on Main Street Loop Road.
Q18 - Where can I park?
A18 - You can either park on Main Street Loop Road (the parking on the back side of the Main Street buildings) or you can park in the Rail Yard, between the tracks.
Q19 - Where do I pick up my tickets?
A19 - Depending on the weekend, we will either be ticketing from either the Small Depot next to the train on the Main track, or we will be ticketing from the Gift Shop which is in the center black passenger car. The entry to the depot is opposite the end with the soda vending machine. The Gift Shop car is accessed from the stairs next to the Gift Shop Sign.
Q20 - What is an address to use with my smartphone's map program?
A20 - 502 East Walnut Street, Belton, MO 64012.