Seen here on the cold evening of February 25, 1975 is MKT train #102 as it passes the unique spanish mission style depot at Boonville, MO. Withing seconds, the train will cross the massive Missouri River drawbridge, and will soon thereafter arrive at Franklin yard for a quick crew change before making its way through the cold winter night into St. Louis. Leading the train is GP38-2 316, followed by GP38 303, and GP40 210, all in green and yellow dress. Today, the tracks are long gone, and the beautiful depot has been fully restored and reopened as a museum. In place of the tracks is the Katy Trail. Many hundreds of visitors still arrive and depart from the Boonville depot each year, though on foot and bicycle instead of on trains.
Rick Morgan photo.