Kansas City Southern – Page 6

DOT Signs Agreement with Kansas City Southern Railway to Relieve Freight Congestion at Laredo Border

December 25, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — An alternate route for freight rail traffic to and from the United States and Mexico to improve cross-border goods movement is one step closer to reality thanks to an agreement signed this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Kansas City Southern Railway, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today. The East Loop Bypass project proposes a new rail bridge east of Laredo, Texas, continuing across the border and south into Mexico. “Border congestion creates an unnecessary obstacle to efficient trade with our international partners. Providing alternative routes for freight transport is good for the economy

House Approves Rail Safety Bill; Billions to go to Passenger Rail

September 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives has approved legislation that proponents say will improve the Nation’s intercity passenger rail system and the safety of the nation’s railroads. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 will increase funding for Amtrak over the next five years, require new safety controls on trains that help reduce crashes, allow states to regulate solid waste processing facilities along rail lines and allocate funding for improvements to Washington’s Metro transit system. The legislation sets “an aggressive deadline” of 2015 for implementation of positive train control (PTC)

Hurricane Ike Causes Rail Freight Downturn

September 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off sharply during the week ended September 20 in comparison with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported. Much of the decline can be attributed to disruptions caused by Hurricane Ike which struck the Gulf Coast Sept. 13. Total volume was estimated at 32.8 billion ton-miles, down 6.8 percent from the comparable week last year. Carload freight in the week totaled 312,662 cars, off 7.8 percent from last year. Volume was down 10.4 percent in the West and 4.3 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is

FRA Grant Supports Highway-Rail Project in Vicksburg, Miss.

September 12, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The City of Vicksburg, Miss., is receiving a $4.3 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to make significant improvements where the Washington Street highway bridge crosses over Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) tracks. The project involves constructing a tunnel for KCS trains above which the existing highway bridge will be removed and replaced with an at-grade roadway. As a result, heavy trucks can resume operating on Washington Street, KCS will straighten its right-of-way, and a new connector road will be built to accommodate the closure of the Lee Street highway-rail grade crossing. The City of Vicksburg

2007: A Strong Year For Railroad Safety

June 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Last year was another strong year for safety on the nation’s railroads, with records being set in two key safety measurements while a third fell just shy of setting a record. “Over the years, the railroad industry has developed a strong safety culture,” said Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) at the annual E.H. Harriman Awards luncheon which honors railroads with the best employee safety records for the previous year. “Last year the train accident rate was the lowest in history,” he said. “So was the grade crossing accident rate. The

Rail Network Could Face Major Congestion in Coming Decades

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Congestion on the nation’s rail network is expected to increase over the next two decades and could eventually pose a major problem, members of Congress warned. Since deregulation of the freight railroad industry in 1980, Class 1 freight ton-miles have increased 93 percent, while miles of track have decreased 40 percent, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., said. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the demand for rail freight transportation will increase 88 percent by 2035, and their studies estimate that an investment of $148 billion in infrastructure expansion will be needed over the ext 28 years to

KCS Announces Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation

May 8, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Southern Railway Co. has commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its $200 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/2 percent Senior Notes due 2008 and a consent solicitation to amend the related Notes and indenture. The terms and conditions are set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 8. — PRNewswire-FirstCall

KCS Realigns Operations Team, Promotes Two

March 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern and its U.S. subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Co., announced the promotions of two employees and the realignment of its transportation divisions and leadership team. David R. Ebbrecht was promoted from assistant vice president network operations to vice president transportation, reporting to Scott E. Arvidson, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Jeff M. Crandall has moved from vice president transportation to vice president engineering, reporting to Jerry W. Heavin, senior vice president international engineering. Mitchell S. Whitmire was promoted from general director materials logistics to general manager locomotive operations, reporting to

KCS Announces the Appointment of Michael W. Upchurch as Senior Vice President Financial Management & Purchasing

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern announced the appointment of Michael W. Upchurch as senior vice president financial management and purchasing. Upchurch will direct The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) and advise Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) on all long-range planning, purchasing and internal audit matters. He will report to executive vice president and chief financial officer Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “In addition to an extensive background in managing a broad array of financial functions for a major, international telecommunications company, Mike brings an impressive track record of change management, driving for results and leadership,”

KCS Announces the Appointment of Brian H. Bowers as Senior Vice President Intermodal & Automotive

March 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern announced the appointment of Brian H. Bowers as senior vice president intermodal and automotive. Bowers will direct The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) and advise Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) on the sales and marketing of these business units. Bowers will report to executive vice president sales and marketing Daniel W. Avramovich. “KCS has a vast number of opportunities for business growth, especially in the NAFTA corridor and International Intermodal Corridor,” Avramovich said. “With 32 years of transportation leadership experience, Brian will play a critical role in helping