R.J. Corman completed upgrading the Gulfport, MS Sub with CWR, ties, ballast, and bridge improvements. So KCS has increased track speed from 10 to 25 MPH from CP Gulfport north of I-10 to the yard limit in Hattiesburg. Track speed remains at 10 MPH south of CP Gulfport through the yard to the State Port, and within downtown Wiggins. As you can see, part of the upgrade included clearing brush at every grade crossing for better visibility and safety. I'm sure the train crews think they've died and gone to heaven since the 67 mile GPT/HBG run now takes 3-4 hours instead of 7-8 hours. Just wait until track speed is increased to 49 in year or so after crossing safety devices have been improved, they won't know what to do with all that extra time. My good friend David Carter took this picture as this morning's northbound was ramping up to 25.
Yeh, David told me he had to go 18 MPH to get ahead of it. To be fair, the train was still ramping up from 10 at CP GPT a mile or so back, and was on a grade. :wink:
