From the KCS web page , this bit of news. It's gonna get interesting north of Rich Mountain for a while, especially around Heavener and Page, OK: June 7, 2005 Capital improvements underway across the railroad Previous Article / Next Article / KCS News Menu Just as construction ramps up on the highways during the summer, the railroad takes advantage of the warm months to further a host of capital improvement projects to add capacity, efficiency and better serve customers. The following is a sampling of the projects now underway. Work continues on a project that began in January to upgrade the track from just east of Vicksburg, Miss. to the Mississippi River, a distance of 11 miles. The program includes inserting new ties, laying new rail across the bridge over the Mississippi River, relaying all of the rail in the area, undercutting the track, adding a new 9,000 foot siding at Vicksburg and building a new drainage system along the main track. In addition, CTC will be installed in the 50 miles between Bovay, La. and Jackson, Miss. In April, construction began on a double track at Heavener, Okla. with completion expected in July. In April, track construction began to extend the Fox siding at Karnack, Texas with completion expected in June. In May, grading began for a project to expand the yard and main track capacity at High Oak Yard in Pearl, Miss. Project completion is expected in November. In May, grading began on a siding extension at Jury, TX with project completion expected in August. In June, bridge construction began to extend the siding at Page, Okla. with project completion expected in August. In June, construction will begin on a distributed power track and two main line crossovers in Pittsburg, Ks. with project completion expected by August. In July, construction will begin on a double track at Monroe, La. with completion expected in September. In August, track construction will begin on a siding and set out track at Wade, Ark. with completion expected in October.
Thanks for the post. I wonder when KCS will start on the commitment they made to the Mississippi Economic Development Agency (EDA) regarding the orphaned 75 mile line between Gulfport and Hattiesburg? Four years ago the MS Legislature approved a $40 Million bonding authority for the EDA to buy that line and improve it to 50mph double-stack quality. About a year later KCS, realizing that they were about to lose a lot of business with the Port of Gulfport, commited to upgrade the line to CWR, increase clearances, and receive certification for 50mph to allow double-stack container traffic. The MS EDA accepted that commitment in good faith and stopped the purchase process. Now I'm sure that the EDA is wondering when KCS will get a "Round TUIT"....?
Hank- Any more info on how this line was "orphaned?" Did KCS embargo it? Or is there still service? Boxcab E50
Well, you asked for it... In 1912 the Gulf & Ship Island RR was opened from Jackson, MS to the Gulf of Mexico at Gulfport, MS. The G&SI and Gulfport were both developed and funded by Joseph T. Jones, a Pennsylvania oil millionaire, to ship lumber cut from the Mississippi Piney Woods, and to give direct access to the Gulf for tourists and freight from Memphis and Chicago. Sometime during the 20's the IC bought the G&SI out of bankruptcy for the same reason that Jones had built it in the first place. In the mid-80's when the IC was dumping many of their less profitable branches, Mid-South Rail Company (MSRC) was formed to buy up the IC spin-offs in MS, AL, and TN, including the southern half of the G&SI. IC kept the half from Hattiesburg north to Jackson for the oil revenue out of Hattiesburg. IC tried to buy back the Gulfport half a couple of years later when MSRC started to turn nice profits from port traffic, but MSRC refused. Then KCS came along in '94 and made MSRC an offer they couldn't refuse and took over all the old IC lines, including the Gulfport orphan. Of course, now KCS is very happy with that orphan. A four-five unit 60-80 car freight goes north to the new KCS yard in Jackson every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and returns every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 150 miles is a l-o-n-g way at 25 mph, but they are the only train on the line so it's not that bad. I'll try to get some photos of the power assigned to the Gulfport terminal one of these days. They are a hodge podge of cast off GPs from KCS, GTW, and other KCS take overs, plus six ex-IC GP10 Paducah Rebuilds still in MSRC colors. Oh yeh, and one gray MSRC caboose that is used at least once a week when they work the five miles of the Gulfport Industrial complex. So there you are....probably with more information than you really wanted. [ June 10, 2005, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Hytec ]
Interesting history. I knew a little of that. But not enough. Sounds like a railfan photographer could have some fun down there. Boxcab E50
More on G&SI- Hi guys! A little more background on one of my favorite railroads, the Gulf & Ship Island. As Hank pointed it out, it was eventually financed by Joseph T. Jones, but it started out many years before his involvement. It was originally chartered way back in 1850, but no serious work began until the early 1880's. About 20 miles was finished on the south end by early 1887, but the railroad ran out of money, and placed in receivership. About 1895, J. T. Jones stepped in and financed the completion of the railroad. It was finished from Gulfport to Jackson in 1900. There were also two branches, partly built by logging railroads, one from Maxie to Lumberton, Columbia and back to Mendenhall, and one to Laurel. After the death of J. T. Jones in 1916, his wife Melodia became president of the railroad. A few months later his daughter, Grace Stewart was elected president of the railroad, who ably managed the railroad for several years. When it was bought by Iliinois Central in 1925, the railroad was solvent and financially healthy. The Jones family just decided it was a good time to sell. Tony H. Ocean Springs, Miss.
Tony, Welcome to the TrainBoard, and thanks for filling in the beginings of the G&SI. I didn't know any of that, nor did I know that the G&SI was still a profitable operation when Grace Jones Stewart sold the line by choice. Regards the MSE : Boxcab, you probably know of these sites, but just in case.... Mississippi Export Railroad Home Page MSE Directory Site There was a nice piece on Mississippi ETV about the history and operation of the MSE a while back. I'll see if I can dig up a reference or link to that show. Also, Charles Kuralt featured the MSE on one of his On The Road series many (30-40?) years ago. That show focused on the fact that the MSE was still employing Gandy Dancers for all track work...not one piece of machinery in sight. What I remember best from that show was the Supervisor singing to provide the synchronizing beat for the dozen or so men using very long prybars in unison to align the track. From what I hear, the MSE makes a nice profit delivering an average of three coal unit trains each week to Mississippi Power's largest generating plant 15-20 miles up the line from the CSX interchange in Pascagoula.
Was MSE ever affiliated with the GM&O? I have seen paper (train orders) overstamped MSE on top of GM&O forms. Any thoughts on where to find a better map? Hank- I remember that TV segment! I never knew where it was filmed. But it was fascinating to see them work. Boxcab E50
Hi guys! The history of the Mississippi Export on the company's website is fairly complete. Another line with a complex history. When the company was formed in 1922, the ownership was divided as follows: 1/3 owned by the paper mill in Moss Point, 1/3 owned by Luce family 1/3 owned by GM&N In 1940 GM&N merged with M&O to form the GM&O. Best wishes, Tony Howe
Interesting! There was indeed a GM&O "connection" as I had wondered. Luce family = Lucedale. Amazing some times, the involved and colorful histories of smaller operations. Boxcab E50
The MSE interchanged with the GM&O at Lucedale, now the CN/IC. A portion of the Mississippi & Alabama Railroad was the forerunner of the MSE. This is a short, but interesting history of the M&A with photos. A photo of MSE #66 . I can't find an MSE route map yet, but I'll keep looking.
