When traffic is back up, I don't think it is intended to make a big impact. They see it more as an overflow port, taking a small but steady cut of traffic, or something to relieve the bottlenecking that occurs at the west coast ports when traffic is heavy. An alternate port if there are strikes. They have supposedly done some test runs and claim that it's slightly faster through Mexico, and probably a bit cheaper, as the containers travel more on ships and less on rail. I suppose this gets judged against a possible feeling of less reliable service through Mexico. This was the original idea of the old KCM&O, that the west coast of Mexico was significantly closer to the east coast than the California ports. But the old KCM&O route down through the Sierra Madre (today the FXE line through the Copper Canyon) is twisty, full of low clearance tunnels, and tougher grades. Note that FXE does handle container traffic through other ports and runs them to the States over other lines. The KCSM route to the Pacific coast at Lazaro Cardenas is a much better line. It was constructed new in the 70's, has less curvature and easier grades. I think all this has been part of KCS's master plan since it bought into the Mexican railroads back in the 90's. Regards Ed
Just to add a couple of points. 1. Container traffic through Mexico to the US is only intended for containers going to the mid-west or eastern US. 2. With a population north of 20 million people in Mexico City, there's a good amount of container traffic coming in through the Mexican ports just heading there. 3. Prior to the recent economic turndown, I think it was felt that trans-Pacific container traffic would grow faster than the ability of the west coast ports to expand to accommodate it. Much of the future traffic through Mexico was seen as coming from this projected increase. Regards Ed .
This latest discussion about container traffic being a major portion of growth for KCS and its affiliates is very interesting, and coincides with other information I've read over the past five years. Five years ago, KCS committed to the Mississippi Economic Development Agency that it would upgrade the Gulfport (MS) branch with CWR to provide an economical 55 mph container route from the Port of Gulfport to Jackson, MS. This branch connects with the Meridian Speedway in Jackson providing access all the way from Dallas to Atlanta. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina put the project on hold, but I expect to see the project started in a few years as the port regains its container traffic from Central and South America. Mississippi has committed $600 Million of FEMA/HUD Katrina Recovery funds to upgrade the port over the next 25 years, and KCS is the only rail company that can support the effort. The port, only 7 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, is projected to become the highest capacity US container port on the Gulf, and the fourth highest (IIRC) in the Nation. It's exciting to watch KCS become a major player in container traffic.
Open June 17th Someone needs to get a picture of the first train! From Railspot: KCS Announces the Start of Rail Operations on Victoria to Rosenberg Rail Line; Partners with Texas Operation Lifesaver and TxDOT to Promote Rail Crossing Safety Kansas City, Mo., June 10, 2009 - The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) announced today that it will begin operating freight trains on its newly rehabilitated line from Victoria to Rosenberg, Texas on June 17. This renewed operation restores rail service to communities along the line and brings needed rail capacity to south Texas to reduce highway congestion and the number of trucks on Texas highways. As an important part of a transcontinental main line that connects the heartland of the United States with the heartland of Mexico and as an important part of a rail network that connects with every other major rail carrier in North America, the restoration of the line will also make this part of the state more economically competitive, leading to future economic opportunity and jobs. Safe operations are paramount as train operations begin. As designated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and as part of the joint TxDOT/KCSR corridor plan: - Fifty-two sets of flashers/gates and KCSR emergency notification signs have been installed at public at-grade crossings. One more set of flashers/gates will be installed at the intermodal shipper facility near Kendleton. - Crossbucks with a STOP or YIELD sign, reflective striping and KCSR emergency notification signs have been installed at the remaining public at-grade crossings. - In advance of each public, at-grade crossing is an Advance Warning sign with pavement markings and stop bar markings applied on paved roads. - In addition to these warning devices, signs and markings, all trains approaching public at-grade crossings are required by federal regulation to sound their horn a minimum of fifteen seconds before reaching the crossing, regardless of the time of day. Train operations will begin gradually in order to allow motorists to adjust to the restored service. In the first few days of operations, trains will run a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour over all public crossings. The maximum authorized speed will increase to 25 miles per hour beginning June 29. Except for segments of the line where there will be speed restrictions, maximum train speeds will increase to 40 miles per hour beginning July 13. Beginning August 1, the maximum authorized speed will increase to and remain at 49 miles per hour. To help prepare the community for the restoration of rail service, KCSR has partnered with Texas Operation Lifesaver (TXOL) to promote rail grade crossing safety with a multi-media advertising campaign and presentations throughout the Victoria to Rosenberg corridor. TXOL educates drivers and pedestrians to make safe decisions at rail crossings and around railroad tracks. TXOL has trained several volunteer presenters to carry its safety message to schools, trucking companies and local industries. Several schools and civic groups have already scheduled presentations. KCSR will also promote public safety in other public forums. To schedule a presentation, please contact Texas Operation Lifesaver at 800-362-2210 or txol@hot.rr. com. TXOL and KCSR support active enforcement of traffic laws relating to crossing signs and signals and private property laws related to trespassing. TXOL and KCSR are contacting area law enforcement and emergency responders to offer free Rail Safety for Emergency Responder training and Grade Crossing Collision and Trespass prevention training. As train operations begin, regardless of whether the crossing is public or private or what type of warning is in place, motorists and pedestrians are urged to always expect a train. In addition, pedestrians are urged to stay off railroad rights-of-way. Do not walk along the track or trespass on railroad rights-of-way and only cross the tracks at designated crossings. Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Southern (KCS) is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is KCSR, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS' North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Redapache, thanks for the article. Like you, I hope someone can take time off to catch the first train. It's a two-day trip for me to get there, even if I knew where to go.....:tb-wacky:
I would normally be real close except that I will be in Portland, Oregon all next week for the N Scale Collector convention. Rats.
A friend of mine caught this on the line today around Kendleton. I guess they are rolling through now.
Apparently it's a publicity train. The conductor stopped and flagged all the crossings. There haven't been trains on this line for years, and I think it'll be August before they're running at the max speed of 49mph. I look forward to that.
I have been told that this bright shiny newly washed train is both a revenue train and a media target. The train, currently tied down at the Kendleton siding, will be involved in several media events on opening day, Wednesday the 17th. The first will be at Kendleton and others will be held down the line. After the train left the Sunset Route in Rosenberg, the train would stop and the conductor would get off at all public crossings to flag them. After the locomotives were over the crossings the conductor got back on and the train proceded at about 10 mph. Otherwise it got up to 20 mph between crossings.
I was thinking about catching the first train, but after this slow start, I think I will try to catch the 100th or so train. Maybe I will go down this next weekend. Of course, I was going to go from San Antonio to Victoria and track back up the line towards Rosenberg. Wonder how heavy the traffic will be?
Okay, looks like the ceremonial first train went off as planned. Photos here: http://ashelton.jalbum.net/KCS%20Train/ Article from the Victoria Advocate: (incl a short video clip) http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/jun/18/sl_kcs_starts_061809_54980/ From messages on the "KCS Notes" group, it appears that although this was supposed to be the first revenue train on the new route, due to a derailment on the Sunset Route, they actually routed maybe 4 trains over the Macaroni Line the day/night before. Regards Ed .
Up and running, yes. I don't know the schedule of trains (if they have a set schedule for freights). Ed .
I would imagine that it would be kind of a crap shoot as with most railroads these days. Could be loads of traffic at any given time and then long periods of nothing.
They started out running at a 10 MPH pace, and from what I've heard have increased it to 25 MPH. IIRC, this will eventually be a 49 MPH line, with whatever speed limits are imposed by certain towns along the line. The KCSNotes group on Yahoo is a good source for all things Macaroni. Should have a decent estimate of traffic.
