From the KCS web site... Service Status Updates 9/2/2008 KCSR Works to Clear Lines In Wake of Hurricane Gustav In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) terminals at New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana were relatively unharmed; however, many trees and power lines were down on the rail line leading to these terminals. The KCSR line between Shreveport, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas has been cleared and will open later today. The KCSR line between Shreveport and Baton Rouge should be cleared of trees and generators will be in place for traffic signals by tomorrow. The line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans will be cleared of trees and generators will be in place by Thursday. However, the opening of the line between Shreveport and New Orleans is dependent on when local power companies can remove power lines from the track. KCSR has approximately 100 maintenance of way employees and contractors working to restore the line, and is making every effort to connect with local power companies, so that the rail line can be safely and efficiently restored. Operational updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. Sincerely, KCSR Customer Service Center
KCS doesn't like Ike, either In the wake of Hurricane Ike, this bit of post-hurricane news from the KCSNotes group: As of today, KCS has cancelled its embargoes at Beaumont and between Corpus Christi and Laredo. Embargoes remain in effect for Port Arthur and Port Neches traffic. Trees had to be removed from tracks at places from Shreveport southward to Beaumont, westward to Dallas, and northward to Heavener. Lowell G. McManus Eagle Pass, Texas, USA Ike traveled north up through east Texas and then through Arkansas, putting the entire north-south main in its crosshairs. Besides blown-over trees, the area suffered lots of rain. I haven't heard of any washouts on any KCS lines from Ike.
Also thos positive bit of news from Beaumont, TX: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/28474414.html Beaumont & Port Arthur are both served by KCS, as well as BNSF (ex-ATSF) and UP. With this port out of service, traffic on the KCS is obviously decreased
