the missouri river runner route was formerly operated as part of the "missouri service" train network, which included the "missouri mules" (known as the "kansas city mule" westbound and the "st. louis mule" eastbound) and the "ann rutledge". the "missouri service," in turn, ran along what had been the western leg of a route that had been serviced for most of the 20th century by long-distance trains from new york city, most notably in a 52-year run by the "spirit of st. louis" (1927-1971) and its successor, the "national limited" (1971-1979). when the "national limited" was canceled in 1979, missouri officials pressed for the introduction of the "mules" in order to maintain the same level of service between st. louis and kansas city. the "ann rutledge," previously a chicago-kansas city train, had its eastern terminus cut back to st. louis in 2006.