Counting noses

Recounting a family train trip to Abilene on the eve of Amtrak

Spring 1971 was hectic. Federal legislation called for the May 1 startup of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. — soon branded Amtrak — and just about every passenger-hauling railroad in the country had posted discontinuance notices on almost all their passenger trains.

I was working for the Rock Island in Kansas City, Kan., at the time and figured it was time to ride some of the interesting trains in the area. The list included Kansas City Southern, Frisco, Burlington Northern, and the Union Pacific.

The Kansas City Star had an article about “Old Abilene Town” in Abilene, Kan., touting activities along the replica Main Street that included gunfighting reenactments.

This sounded like a good family outing. (The Can-can dancers at the Alamo Saloon didn’t start until May). A study of the Official Guide showed we could make a (long) day trip from our home in Mission, Kan., riding Union Pacific trains 117 and 118 there and back. It would be a bit convoluted, as these were mixed trains. It didn’t say so in the guide, but the departure was from Kansas City, Kan., from Armstrong Yard down in the “bottoms,” not from Kansas City Union Station. Rather than trying to get the family down there for an 8 a.m. departure, I figured it would make sense to go west to Lawrence and catch the train at 9:03 a.m.

The depot in Lawrence was right in town in the middle of a sweeping curve. We were there in time to see 117 arrive in grand style – three E units, two SDs, a streamlined baggage car and coach, and a string of boxcars. The power was put to good use. Even with stops at Topeka, Manhattan, and Junction City, 117 made the 124 miles to Abilene in two hours and 36 minutes, arriving at 11:39 a.m. The timetable showed 117 going on to Denver, with 118 returning with a similar daylight schedule (but still after dark in K.C.).

After a fun afternoon in Old Abilene Town it was time to hike back to the depot to catch 118 at 7:10 p.m. to return to Lawrence. Time to count noses. There’s Mike, Jim, my patient wife Barb, Kateri, Joe, and Rob. But where is the littlest one? Joe had the answer: Mary Rachel had spent most of the day on my back in the Hike-A-Poose! — Philip A. Weibler

Joe Weibler The Weibler family is ready to board train 118 at Abilene, at top. Above, Mary Philip A. Weibler Rachel rides with Dad while he photographs 117 arriving at Lawrence.