KCS/L&A Modern Operations

[SPF]

I am interested in the present day operations on KCS's ex L&A line from Shreveport, LA to Dallas, TX. Does anyone know or know where I could get a list of trains that run over this line? Also, how much industry is there in the Dallas area? I have a KCS video filmed in 1996 that identifies the trains by numbers, but on the KCS website it appears they have switched to letter designations.
Also, in the video two coal trains meet at Kaysawn, TX (don't know spelling), and one is identified as a "Welch" coal train, where are these headed? Thanks for any help.

[watash]

I'll see what I can find out. So far as businesses in Dallas? The Metroplex is from west Ft.Worth to east Dallas, all one big city now with a bunch of the smaller towns all consumed into one. The list would be like sending you all 14 sets of Yellow Pages! You name, we got it here. I'll get back to you. In the mean time, check out: railspot.com & look at the KCS and Lousiana listings, lots of data you may be interested in.

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Watash

[This message has been edited by watash (edited 27 October 2000).]

[SPF]

Oops, what I meant to type was how much industry does the KCS serve directly. Thanks for any info you can find. I used to live in Dallas, but when I lived there the line was still ATSF and East Dallas Yard was where my dad took my to see trains when I was younger. I've heard that this area is all DART stuff, does the KCS line extend toward Dallas past Zacha Junction to serve any industry or interchange?

[watash]

Web is crazy tonight, hope you get this, I can't tell.

There is no listing for KCS I can find. No yards, all is now Dart. Sorry.

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Watash

[Maxwell Plant]

I lived in Monroe, LA. on this line for about six months. They did a lot of "paper products". West Monroe has a HUGE paper mill served by the railway before KCS. I can't recall their name but I know the route is an old IC line that came from Jackson, MS. KCS was just taking over operations when I left.

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Brent Tidaback, Member #234
BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot!
"Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!"
The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF

[This message has been edited by Maxwell Plant (edited 31 October 2000).]

[herendeen]

I know for a fact that the KCS uses a yard west of Denton, Texas and has tracks that run through the south part of Denton, and towards Richland Hills.

[herendeen]

I forgot this part:

In the Klambach Book
Track Planning Ideas from Model Railroader,
there is a small KCS track plan that is based on the KCS operations in east Texas.
If you would like, I'd be glad to scan it and e-mail it to you.

[SSW9389]

? Is Hunt Yard still in operation in Greenville, TX. Used to be a place that I saw KCS back in the early 70's.

[DavidWL6]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SPF:
I am interested in the present day operations on KCS's ex L&A line from Shreveport, LA to Dallas, TX. Does anyone know or know where I could get a list of trains that run over this line? Also, how much industry is there in the Dallas area? I have a KCS video filmed in 1996 that identifies the trains by numbers, but on the KCS website it appears they have switched to letter designations.
Also, in the video two coal trains meet at Kaysawn, TX (don't know spelling), and one is identified as a "Welch" coal train, where are these headed? Thanks for any help.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe that the meet was at Cason, Tx. "Welch" (I pretty sure that it is actually Wilks) is the name of the power plant that coal train serves.

[DavidWL6]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant:
I lived in Monroe, LA. on this line for about six months. They did a lot of "paper products". West Monroe has a HUGE paper mill served by the railway before KCS. I can't recall their name but I know the route is an old IC line that came from Jackson, MS. KCS was just taking over operations when I left.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe that the shortline you're thinking of was the Mid South.

[TexChris]

I'd be glad to see more postings on the KCS. I put in my vote for a separate board some time ago--still hoping we get one. I'm here along the Shreveport-Ft.Worth line in the Lewisville (North Dallas)area--Lots of intermodal coming through--KCS owns old Santa Fe line from Dallas to Denton, then uses trackage rights from "Metro" to Alliance yard in Ft. Worth--be glad to hear from other KCS fans.

[DavidWL6]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TexChris:
I'd be glad to see more postings on the KCS. I put in my vote for a separate board some time ago--still hoping we get one. I'm here along the Shreveport-Ft.Worth line in the Lewisville (North Dallas)area--Lots of intermodal coming through--KCS owns old Santa Fe line from Dallas to Denton, then uses trackage rights from "Metro" to Alliance yard in Ft. Worth--be glad to hear from other KCS fans.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd like to see a seperate board for the KCS also.

[thomas]

Put my vote in for a KCS board also.
I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new
Atlas N-Scale sd-60s in KCS in May.

[rrman48]

I dont know if it's still there,but there was
a KCS yard just outside a small town north
of S'port called Benton,La. also had one
in Greenwood,La.I think they also had a small yard in Forbing,La.These towns are
on the outskirts of S'port.They had a yard
I think just outside of Marshall,Tx.
between Wascom,Tx.and Marshall. on Hwy80.It's
been a long time since I've been back,they have probably moved them by now?
RRman48
RUSTYB.
FRISCO4EVER smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif

[DavidWL6]

I don't know about Benton, I'm not sure that KCS even runs through Benton. The Cotton Belt, Southern Pacific, now Union Pacific runs throgh Benton. KCS has a yard in Bossier City, which is just across the river from Shreveport. They also have a huge yard - Deramus - in Shreveport.

[TexChris]

Vistited Hunt Yard in Greenville, Tx. about a week ago. Yes, it's still being used, although as far as the KCS is concerned, it's more of a meeting point for trains going to and from Ft. Worth and Shreveport. They seem to serve a couple of local industries, and the yard is also used by a shortline, which operates on the old Katy trackage. I vaguely remember passing by there in the early 80's, and seeing quite a few engines on hand. I don't know if they used to have an engine facility there, but the only KCS power there now is what was pulling the through trains. I did see a couple of units in the white scheme.

[friscobob]

The ex-Katy trackage is operated by Dallas, Garland & Northeastern, which is becoming a switching line of note in the east side of the DFW Metroplex. One interesting note: the Cotton Belt line running east out of Greenville is now operated by the Blacklands RR, which uses Alco RS3s and one Geep for road power.
The KCS heads west from Greenville to Farmersville, where it then turns southwesttowards Dallas. At Wylie, it crosses the remeaining Cotton Belt line (the SSW track from Wylie to Greenville was taken up), and runs on the Cotton Belt line west to Plano, and on to the former Santa Fe line.
I'm not sure who's running the line from Wylie down to Zacha Jct., but I heard at one point it was to be severed. I've also been keeping tabs on railspot@yahoogroups.com about a proposed intermodal yard at Wylie.
Your best bet is to check out the aforementioned list (go to http://www.yahoogroups.com )
and search for Railspot- it covers the RR scene in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas.

[ 09 April 2001: Message edited by: friscobob ]

[SPF]

Hmm, I am not sure about the line from Wylie to Zacha being severed, as their Dallas intermodal facility is at Zacha and that new Amtrak Crescent Star will be going that way. I don't have the timetable with me, but the KCS line connects with the old SP branchto Sherman via a new connector at Renner (or Reinhardt?), then gets on the UP main at MP junction and then can go to Dallas Union Station. When I get home later I will double check the station names.

I will have to check out that Blacklands RR next time I get back over there. I have never seen an RS-3. Oh, the current rumor is that Wylie will be a Intermodal yard? The KCS website says it will be a classification yard., both maybe?

[ 11 April 2001: Message edited by: SPF ]

[ 11 April 2001: Message edited by: SPF ]

[KCS]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant:
I lived in Monroe, LA. on this line for about six months. They did a lot of "paper products". West Monroe has a HUGE paper mill served by the railway before KCS. I can't recall their name but I know the route is an old IC line that came from Jackson, MS. KCS was just taking over operations when I left.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe that the shortline you're thinking of was the Mid South.


Mid South was the short line KCS bought out. Deramus yard here in Shreveport has a track with nothing BUT retired MS locomotives all coupled together. They have been sitting there for a good while now.

[KCS]

I dont know if it's still there,but there was
a KCS yard just outside a small town north
of S'port called Benton,La. also had one
in Greenwood,La.I think they also had a small yard in Forbing,La.These towns are
on the outskirts of S'port.They had a yard
I think just outside of Marshall,Tx.
between Wascom,Tx.and Marshall. on Hwy80.It's
been a long time since I've been back,they have probably moved them by now?
RRman48
RUSTYB.
FRISCO4EVER smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif


I need to make a correction here. The yard mentioned above is located in north Shreveport in a town called Blanchard I'm only a few miles away from Deramus yard. UP run's through Benton. As far as I know KCS doesn't run up that route. KCS has a couple of storage yards in town one in a suburb area then one near down town right off the south side of I-20 and I-49 interchange. In that same area KCS has what is known as the "rat hole" and UP has an interchange with KCS at the end of that storage yard near a bridge that goes over I-20. Then KCS diverages south on the corridor running along I-49 south then breaks off away from I-49 not far from the DeSoto parish line.

[KCS]

Oh, one note I did forget to mention. From my personal inside resources Deramus yard is under going a major face lift and being turned into a hump yard. This is from several people I know one whom works in the signal dept., and a hand full who are vounteer's on the KCS Chrismas train. They ride the "crow" business train while traveling with the Christmas train. It's funny hearing the stories about going to fast with the possible threat of a reindeer flying off one of the flat car's or any other decorations. :) I can't wait for our club show at Shriner's Hospital in Dec. The Hospital is almost right across the street from the I-49 north/south main line. Walk into the front lobby and watch trains come and go all day long or go back around the corner and play trains. That's where I'll be hearing the stories.