Picture this: a bustling city nestled at the crossroads of America, where the Kansas and Missouri Rivers converge...

...creating a vibrant hub of commerce and connectivity. Welcome to Kansas City, where the heartbeat of the railroad industry echoes through the ages, shaping its destiny and leaving an indelible mark on the American landscape.

In the heyday of westward expansion, Kansas City emerged as the beating heart of the nation's rail network. It wasn't just its prime location that made it a railroad powerhouse; it was the spirit of innovation that coursed through its veins.

Imagine the clatter of steel on steel as locomotives chugged into the city, bearing the dreams of pioneers and the fruits of labor from distant lands. Kansas City wasn't just a stop on the map; it was the gateway to the American West, beckoning adventurers and settlers with promises of opportunity and adventure.

The Kansas City Southern established the city as a powerhouse among the Industrial Age giants.

But Kansas City wasn't content with merely being a passageway.

It became a crucible of innovation, where bold ideas and pioneering technologies transformed the railroad industry. From the groundbreaking Stockyards that revolutionized the transportation of livestock to the skilled workers in the rail yards who pushed the boundaries of locomotive maintenance, the city was a hotbed of creativity and progress.

And the legacy of Kansas City's railroad heritage lives on, woven into the fabric of the city's identity. Today, as freight and passenger trains crisscross the nation, Kansas City remains a vital artery in the nation's transportation network, a living testament to the enduring power of railroads.

Times have changed, but the railroad remains. Most recently, the Kansas City Southern, one of the five Class 1 railways in the United States,  merged with the Canadian Pacific to create the CPKC proving that KC remains at the heart of railroading in the USA.

The American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is having its annual conference there. 

Rail Yard Studios plans to be on-hand at ASLRRA in booth 1126 showcasing one-of-kind Industrial Age furniture creations like the Roundhouse Cocktail Table.

Our Roundhouse Cocktail Table - a fresh new limited-edition design from Rail Yard Studios serves as an homage to the longstanding history of Kansas City. The vintage switchstand used for the base is a rare sight these days, long since replaced by more modern styles of equipment with lower profiles, bow handles, latches and other improvements and added safety features.

The base is an antique switchstand used in a turnout to change the direction of the train. Throw the handle and move the points of the turnout to switch from one track to another.

So the next time you hear the distant whistle of a train or feel the rumble of tracks beneath your feet, remember the story of Kansas City—a city built on steel, steam, and the relentless drive to connect the world…and consider making yourself the rightful owner of one of Rail Yard Studios’ historical pieces.