I've got one

But these days I can blog it or I can build it.  When I have the chance I choose the later.

Dr. Nick Muff

Dr. Nick Muff, MMR, has almost complete layout based on the KCS, circa "mid-50's".  He has been interviewed and featured on You Tube.  His layout room features a real F-7 painted in KCS livery, and a 1:1 scratchbuilt KCS Pullman car.  The F-7 cab is only the front section (from the side door forward), and cut down in height a bit (pilot removed), but it is still a looming presence in the layout room, in it's gleaming red and yellow paint scheme.  Totally restored to include the working headlight (bright) and working horn (beyond loud - he has to notify neighbors, not to mention his wife, when he is going to honk the horn).  The Pullman car features all KCS appliances and dishes, etc.

The layout has been in progress for 30 plus years.  It features a model of the Kansas station, complete with something like several hundred LEDs, including the chandeliers.  The station has a complete basement, and sub basement.  Most structures in this part of the layout (Kansas City) are scratchbuilt and kitbashed.  

The layout runs around a peninsula, then down a helix, ending up at Shreveport, LA., including several towns along the route, like Siloam Springs, AR.  In these small towns, Nick has reproduced exact replicas of many structures, utilizing his laser cutter and 3d printer.

I'd venture to say Nick is probably the foremost authority on the KCS.

Here is a link to an MRH article on Nick's layout, dated back in 2011:   Dr. Nick Muff's KCS layout | Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine (model-railroad-hobbyist.com)  The layout has progressed significantly since then.  There are lots of links to follow on You Tube, also.

I used to model the KCS

I know, it’s not really what you asked but a few years ago, I was literally obsessed with the KCS and went mad collecting as much H0 scale equipment as I could.

I joined the appropriate yahoo group and made friends with a few guys including one Gerald Hook, I hope he doesn’t mind me mentioning him. He really was kind with information and details, sadly I never took him up on the offer of a meet as I was based in the UK.

Then, the obsession died, it was nothing in particular, just the way it goes sometimes. All my books and videos (dvds) are secure but I only kept one model, a gray AC4400 bought by my wife. Such a shame really.

On a brighter note, Dr Nick’s layout above, sounds awesome!

Cheers,

John

Thanks

Thanks for the responses.  I especially want to thank Al Carter for sharing the link to the MRH article on Dr. Nick Muff's layout.

I had never seen or heard of his layout before.  The models are exquisitely detailed and the room environment is very creative.

I'm often amazed at the passion, effort, and ingenuity people put into the hobby.

"I am surprised there are so

"I am surprised there are so few KCS themed layouts given the railroad's geographic coverage, long history, and unique paint schemes.  Even fallen flags from the region like the MKT, Mo-Pac, and Frisco seemed to have more documented layouts." -OP

This is my theory (based on my era I model which is the transition era) about why it is and because, in my opinion, it lacks wider appeal and prestige to the wider history of American railroading as a whole and the KCS is more of niche, regional appeal type of road (though someone from the UK mentioned they used to be in to it so I find that interesting).

When I picture the history of American railroading (and being from the East Coast I'll admit I'm biased) I will think of a road like the Pennsylvania, B&O, C&O, Western Maryland, Nickel Plate Road, or New York Central.  Heck even the Union Pacific and Santa Fe on the West Coast appeal to me as well.  Maybe it is from the wider array of models available for those roads, the advertising, the prestigious passenger services offered and remembered, the routes they traveled (New York-Chicago, Chicago-LA, etc.), their impact on revolutionizing American railroading being trend setters for the industry to emulate, the unique engines and rolling stock used, or the era involved.  From the videos I grew up watching, model train catalogs, going to train shows, etc. it primarily focused on those roads.  

When I think of the KCS, its history, and the route it served, it draws a blank to me.  I don't see anything appealing to it that sets it apart from the others.  I don't see it really any different than any of the other Midwestern roads that competed against it or what set it apart.  I don't think of or can think of anything revolutionary the KCS did that changed railroading or was a major trend setter like the others who came and went.  It doesn't all of a sudden give me an appealing reason to model it, to me at least, just because it managed to survive as long as it did more by luck of geographic location and good management.  

I'll admit my ignorance but from initial impressions, I don't see anything that stands out except that it survived as long as it did.  To me, it is just another generic railroad with generic locomotives and rolling stock found on any other railroad.  Maybe if I lived in the area or by the old route I would find it more appealing to be in to but I don't.  If you like it, more power to you, but you asked why KCS isn't more popular to model and this is my theory why based anecdotally on my experience.

KCS

"I don't see anything appealing to it that sets it apart from the others."

It's the ONLY Class 1 that railroads through the Ozark AND the Ouachita mountains. The KCS had helper (pre-DPU) grades in the Ozarks and that 17 mile or so southbound climb up Rich Mountain in the Ouachita mountains on the OK/AR border. (Rich Mountain needed helpers both directions.)

Back 30 or so years ago, it was quite a show to see them tack-on a pair SD's on the rear at Heavener and then watch them blast out of town... as well as watching them struggle up Rich Mountain at 10 MPH. Even with DPU and the "meh" equipment of today's railroading, it's still a hoot to experience it. That portion is about the ONLY portion of today's railroading that I have actually made an effort an effort to spectate in years. (Just this past winter.)

Andre