ROAD CLOSED TO BALDWIN CITY!  That’s right my friends, the Kansas Department of Transportation as erected the official State of Kansas color of road work orange!  This is going to affect all of us traveling to Baldwin City for Midland Railway’s various events, including Day out with Thomas and the Kansas Belle Dinner Train during the 2013 operating season.  KDOT has officially closed US-56 Hwy west of Baldwin City all the way to US-59 Hwy until late Fall 2013 for several bridge repair projects.  They have posted an official detour which takes you south to Ottawa on US-59 and then on to I-35 towards Kansas City, then exiting onto K-33 Hwy at Wellsville before traveling north to US-56 Hwy again.  To help get you around the roadwork, we have discovered a few easier detours and would like to pass them on to you!

Coming from North on US-59 from Lawrence or Topeka?  Take US-59 Hwy south to N650 Rd exit (Also known as County Road 460 or Zarco Road for the locals).  Turn east and go approximately 4.5 miles to E1700 Road (County Road 1055).  Turn south on CR 1055/E1700 Road and it will take you right in to Baldwin City!  At the stop light (6th and Ames/US-56), go straight south to High Street.  Turn Right on High Street and travel west to the Midland Railway!

Coming from the South (Emporia, Ottawa, I-35 from Wichita)?  Take I-35 to LeLoup Exit 193 (Tennessee Road).  Go north on Tennessee Road to the “T” intersection in LeLoup.  Turn left (west) and travel to Ohio Road (approximately 2 miles).  Turn North (right) on Ohio Road and it will take you straight to Baldwin City. (Ohio Road turns into E1700 Road/CR 1055 in Douglas County).  Turn west (Left) on High Street and travel west to the Midland Railway.

Coming from Olathe, Gardner, Overland Park, Kansas City area?  Take US-56 Hwy Exit at Gardner, KS.  Travel west through Gardner and head towards Baldwin City.  Once at Baldwin City on US-56 Hwy (Ames Street) you will see a stop light at 6th/Ames (56 Hwy).  Turn south (left) on 6th Street and go to High Street.  Turn west (right) on High Street and travel west to the Midland Railway.

Coming from the West (Overbrook, Osage, Council Grove)?  Take US-56 to US-59 Hwy.  Take US-59 Hwy North to N650 Rd exit (Also known as County Road 460 or Zarco Road for the locals).  Turn east and go approximately 4.5 miles to E1700 Road (County Road 1055).  Turn south on CR 1055/E1700 Road and it will take you right in to Baldwin City!  At the stop light (6th and Ames/US-56), go straight south to High Street.  Turn Right on High Street and travel west to the Midland Railway!

If you missed the Gardner exit on I-35, travel I-35 south (which is really westbound) to the Wellsville Exit # 202.  This exit is also K-33 Hwy.  Take K-33 Hwy north to US-56 and turn west on US-56 to Baldwin City.  Follow the direction above after that!

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS VISITORS!!!  Please allow ample time for you to get to Baldwin City!  Trains will be running on schedule for the event. The detour area will be marked with signs directing you to the parking areas.  Please follow those signs and pay attention to them.  We know this can be confusing, but we will be doing our best to get you here.

If you have any questions while trying to get to us,  please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to guide you around the road work!  913-721-1211 or 785-594-6982.