What is the history of railroads in Kansas?

Arthur Edward Stilwell began construction on the first line of what would become the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1887, in suburban Kansas City, Missouri. Over the ensuing decade the line grew through construction and acquisitions to become a through route between Kansas City and Port Arthur, Texas, with the final spike being driven north of Beaumont, Texas, on September 11, 1897. Another mainline between Dallas, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana, via Shreveport, Louisiana, was added through merger with the Louisiana and Arkansas Railway during the 1930s. From 1940 to 1969, Kansas City Southern operated the Southern Belle passenger train between Kansas City and New Orleans.