| The Gregarious Railfan |
Topeka, KS 66608 (population, 127,473)
GPS: N 39.06616, W 95.66981 Google map
Scanner: UP 160.515 [27], 160.410 [20]
Railroads: Union Pacific Eastern Division, Nebraska Sub; UP Kansas City Division, Kansas City Sub; BNSF Kansas
Division, Atchison Topeka Sub
Description: The Great Overland Station in Topeka, KS, former UP ‘Grand Dame’ passenger station stands on the UP
Maryville Sub. Designed by renowned architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the beautiful Union Pacific passenger
station was reported to be "one of the finest passenger stations on the line" when it opened January 27, 1927. With
its 34-foot ceiling and ornate glazed Terra Cotta ornamentation, the elegant building is perhaps the finest
representation of classic railroad architecture in Kansas. Although railroading has changed drastically since its heyday,
Topeka remains the center of several vital operations of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and a key link in the Union
Pacific system. Topeka was and still is a railroad town. The station no longer serves as a passenger station. However,
the Station has a museum, an outdoor rolling stock exhibit, and is a great place to watch the UP action. The Amtrak
station in Topeka is on the BNSF and located about 1 ½ miles to the south.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 55
Other interesting stuff: Just south of the station on the property is a well designed All Veteran’s Memorial.
Fast Food: Many south on S Kansas Ave, including McDonalds N 39.04397, W 95.67660; many more on SW Gage
Blvd N 39.04506, W 95.72469
Ice Cream: Dairy Queen, 1700 SW Medford Ave N 39.03694, W 95.70942; Baskin Robbins, 4400 SW 21st St
N 39.02951, W 95.73077
Breakfast: Hanover Pancake House, 1034 S Kansas Ave N 39.04465, W 95.67619; Cook's American Grill, 1936 SW
Gage Blvd N 39.03182, W 95.72490; Denny's, 3210 SW Topeka Blvd N 39.01027, W 95.68752
Pub & Grub: Terry's Bar & Grill, 522 SW 6th Ave N 39.05353, W 95.68021; The Celtic Fox, 118 SW 8th Ave
N 39.04912, W 95.67565
Lodging: Best Western Topeka Inn & Suites, 700 SW Fairlawn Rd N 39.05708, W 95.74317
Topeka Visitors Center: 618 S. Kansas Avenue N 39.05072, W 95.67319 Website
GPS: N 39.06616, W 95.66981 Google map
Scanner: UP 160.515 [27], 160.410 [20]
Railroads: Union Pacific Eastern Division, Nebraska Sub; UP Kansas City Division, Kansas City Sub; BNSF Kansas
Division, Atchison Topeka Sub
Description: The Great Overland Station in Topeka, KS, former UP ‘Grand Dame’ passenger station stands on the UP
Maryville Sub. Designed by renowned architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the beautiful Union Pacific passenger
station was reported to be "one of the finest passenger stations on the line" when it opened January 27, 1927. With
its 34-foot ceiling and ornate glazed Terra Cotta ornamentation, the elegant building is perhaps the finest
representation of classic railroad architecture in Kansas. Although railroading has changed drastically since its heyday,
Topeka remains the center of several vital operations of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and a key link in the Union
Pacific system. Topeka was and still is a railroad town. The station no longer serves as a passenger station. However,
the Station has a museum, an outdoor rolling stock exhibit, and is a great place to watch the UP action. The Amtrak
station in Topeka is on the BNSF and located about 1 ½ miles to the south.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 55
Other interesting stuff: Just south of the station on the property is a well designed All Veteran’s Memorial.
Fast Food: Many south on S Kansas Ave, including McDonalds N 39.04397, W 95.67660; many more on SW Gage
Blvd N 39.04506, W 95.72469
Ice Cream: Dairy Queen, 1700 SW Medford Ave N 39.03694, W 95.70942; Baskin Robbins, 4400 SW 21st St
N 39.02951, W 95.73077
Breakfast: Hanover Pancake House, 1034 S Kansas Ave N 39.04465, W 95.67619; Cook's American Grill, 1936 SW
Gage Blvd N 39.03182, W 95.72490; Denny's, 3210 SW Topeka Blvd N 39.01027, W 95.68752
Pub & Grub: Terry's Bar & Grill, 522 SW 6th Ave N 39.05353, W 95.68021; The Celtic Fox, 118 SW 8th Ave
N 39.04912, W 95.67565
Lodging: Best Western Topeka Inn & Suites, 700 SW Fairlawn Rd N 39.05708, W 95.74317
Topeka Visitors Center: 618 S. Kansas Avenue N 39.05072, W 95.67319 Website
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