Don's Rail Photos

 Kansas City, Clay County, & St. Joseph Ry.

The "Excelsior Springs Route" was built quite late, in 1913, and, at 79 miles, was the largest of the Kansas City systems. The line from Kansas City to Excelsior Springs(28 miles) was opened on January 13, 1913, and the  line to St. Joseph (51 miles) was opened on May 5, 1913. The line was built to high standards and used 1200 volt power. Equipment consisted of sixteen passenger cars, five freight cars, and one service car. Service was hourly on the St. Joseph line, and was relatively profitable until 1929. The depression hit hard, and the line entered receivership in 1930. Abandonment came on March 10, 1933. This was a case of the owners liquidating early to get the most possible returns. If the line could have held out a year or two, it probably would have survived until after World War II.

The passenger cars were typical Cincinnati Car "submarine" type.

20 was built by Cincinnati Car Co in May 1912, #1540.  It was rebuilt as 44.

26 was built by Cincinnati Car Co in May 1912, #1540.

30 was built by Cincinnati Car Co in May 1912, #1545.

41 was built by Cincinnati Car Co in May 1912, #1545.

43 was built by Cincinnati Car Co in May 1912, #1545.

45 was built by Cincinnati Car Co in May 1912.  It was apparently rebuilt from another car.

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