MIDDLE DIVISION FIRST DISTRICT

You can still catch a passenger train on this line. Amtrak' Southwest Chief runs daily to and from Chicago and Los Angeles and several points inbetween. The Middle Division First District is covered by Amtrak in the late evening and early morning hours. This is unfortunate due to the fact that there are many railroad sites in this area of Kansas which are of interest. However Amtrak's schedule does allow you to see some geographic scenery which is equally as breathtaking in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Amtrak should run a second section of the Southwest Limited in order to catch those passengers who don't want to catch a train in the witching hour. But this is a story about the Santa Fe so we will refrain from commenting further on this.

The area that the Middle Division First District crosses through Kansas begins as a transition from the large communities of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and Emporia. Emporia is the launching point for rual Kansas. The further you travel west the dryer the climate becomes and the fewer large communities you encounter. This in a way is the heart of Kansas. The First District is the heart of Kansas. Rich farmland, vibrant people, bustling cities, towns, and communities. The terain is pure flat farmland.

In prior years no less than 22 Passenger trains called this segment of the Santa Fe home. The Super Chief/ El Capitan was included in this extensive roster. What a joy it must have been to journey to central Kansas to watch the parade.

Timetable from November 29, 1942
MP112.1 Emporia
MP 115.3 Merrick
MP 120.2 Plymouth
MP 123.4 Staffordville
MP 125.4 Ellinor
MP 131.7 Strong City
MP 135.8 Neva
MP 138.3 Elmdale
MP 145.6 Clements
MP 150.7 Cedar Point
MP 156.9 Florence
MP 164.1 Horners
MP 168.3 Peabody
MP 168.6 P.O. Tower., C.R.I.&P. Crossing
MP 173.0 Braddock
MP 178.3 Walton
MP 184.6 Mo. Pac. Crossing
MP 185.1 Newton YL