In a scene that could easily be the 1950s, KCS E7 #12 stops in Grandview with the southbound Southern Belle in August of 1969. When inaugurated in the 1940s, the Southern Belle operated with sleepers, a diner-lounge and chair cars, and made the KC – New Orleans trek in just over 21 hours. By 1969, its last year of operation, the Belle is down to a baggage, 2 coaches and an observation-diner. Passengers are boarding the second coach as a 50s-era car waits for the train to clear. (Allen Maty)

This selection from “Rails Around Missouri” can be found in “Chapter 4 – The Kansas City Southern.” “Rails Around Missouri” will be released May 1, 2013 as a 224-page, hard-cover book filled with over 500 all-color images like this one. Your copy can be reserved today at the pre-release price of $47.95 plus shipping. All copies will come signed by the author, and will ship the week of May 1. Choose between the KCS or Frisco cover. (Contents identical)