When I was in high school, Midsouth Rail Corp. owned what is now known as The Meridian Speedway. The only intermodal MSRC ever had was maybe 5 or 6 trailers riding on the end of their cross-system freight train MS-1 (through MS-5 depending on where the train was running) and its counterparts SM-1 (through 5). Well one day the MSRC ran a test train using 6 trailers and it ran from Bossier City to Meridian. On the point was a solid white KCS 4004 (back then it was a GP38). Train meets were rare on the Midsouth back then, so I was shocked to see the local run past my usual watching spot...then even more shocked to see a KCS engine pulling the train. (I thought for sure a MSRC GP10 would pull it) The run from Bossier to Meridian took a very disappointing 11 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Back then the speed limit on the Bossier-Meridian mainline was 40 mph with many permanent speed zones (Ruston and Arcadia back then were both 25 mph!). So the Midsouth wasn't read for big time intermodal, probably much to the disappointment of NS & UP. Plus, Midsouth's locomotive fleet was not really suited for "big time railroading." I doubt UP or NS really wanted to run trains led by GP9s. GP10s, GP 18s, or (even better) CF7s!! But then in 1993 the KCS purchased the Midsouth. The first thing KCS did was rehab the mainline and start replacing the Midsouth motors with their own bigger power. Back then, the KCS numbered all of their trains. So the very first regular intermodal on the new KCS Vicksburg and Meridian Subs were trains #7 and #8. The big beefier power didn't come along until several years later after bridges, switches, and track were rehabbed. Did this mean I never saw a Midsouth unit pull a #7 or a #8? NOPE! For a couple of months, MSRC 1074 was the rear unit on train #8 (I never got to see #7 because I was working during the day). That poor engine seemed like it was 2 notches higher than the other engines ahead of it when it came roaring by. I feel like UP or NS would have blown up half of Midsouth's fleet trying to use their engines on their respective mainlines. Sorry so long winded. Just wanted to get the "old days" included in this very well put together and very informative documentary you created Bishop. Keep it up!
I grew up in Mississippi.. That line goes through my hometown. I remember when the upgrades began in the mid 90's. The number of intermodals was bananas. Not to mention the locals and regular manifest freight. BNSF used to run their intermodals that way but now they run through Memphis down to Birmingham.
When I first started with the KCS it was dark territory and then the NS spent 300 million to make it CTC. There were a lot of changes to the rail in Shreveport. I remember when the track bulletins said no double stacks could go under 49.
Burntfields Johnson on kcs 4101 got Chelsea Barton fired from Visit Tuscaloosa after he built a robot like her and the robot shot and killed a man, he was later caught and arrested in Scott County, Arkansas the week after, Chelsea got fired wrongfully, she sued Tuscaloosa Police for arresting and charging her with capital murder, the charges were dismissed Chelsea Barton
I first heard the intro song on Great American Scenic Railroads, and while I long to know what it’s called, I feel like it’s a perfect fit for the video.
@@LouisianaRailProductions Indeed! I do know that the theme song for the series is called “Homelands”, though. You can even find it on RUclips, though make sure it’s uploaded by the channel “de Wolfe Music USA” (or something along those lines).
Excellent railroad videography and excellent narration providing interesting information on a critical link in the North American rail network. Thanks!
Yes they did. I think they had 2 pairs of intermodals. One was I-LBAT (Long Beach-Atlanta)...the counter part used a different symbol not related to I-LBAT.
Great catches Bishop, bud! Especially with the information you given in this video. I actually knew where they originated from & were terminated to. The reason why I call ZLCAI & ZAILC iZLAAT & iZATLA is because that's the KCS symbols for the UP Intermodals.
Great video and commentary, Bishop. I really enjoyed watching and learned a lot in the process. As always, I loved seeing those KCS locomotives in action.
And the previous owner you speak of was none other than MidSouth who took the line over from the original builders. It's a shame that MidSouth didn't get a heritage unit from KCS.
Correction, UP does not have haulage rights. UP trains become NS when they hit Shreveport going east and the opposite going west. Otherwise amazing video.
When I was in high school, Midsouth Rail Corp. owned what is now known as The Meridian Speedway. The only intermodal MSRC ever had was maybe 5 or 6 trailers riding on the end of their cross-system freight train MS-1 (through MS-5 depending on where the train was running) and its counterparts SM-1 (through 5).
Well one day the MSRC ran a test train using 6 trailers and it ran from Bossier City to Meridian. On the point was a solid white KCS 4004 (back then it was a GP38). Train meets were rare on the Midsouth back then, so I was shocked to see the local run past my usual watching spot...then even more shocked to see a KCS engine pulling the train. (I thought for sure a MSRC GP10 would pull it)
The run from Bossier to Meridian took a very disappointing 11 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Back then the speed limit on the Bossier-Meridian mainline was 40 mph with many permanent speed zones (Ruston and Arcadia back then were both 25 mph!). So the Midsouth wasn't read for big time intermodal, probably much to the disappointment of NS & UP. Plus, Midsouth's locomotive fleet was not really suited for "big time railroading." I doubt UP or NS really wanted to run trains led by GP9s. GP10s, GP 18s, or (even better) CF7s!!
But then in 1993 the KCS purchased the Midsouth. The first thing KCS did was rehab the mainline and start replacing the Midsouth motors with their own bigger power. Back then, the KCS numbered all of their trains. So the very first regular intermodal on the new KCS Vicksburg and Meridian Subs were trains #7 and #8. The big beefier power didn't come along until several years later after bridges, switches, and track were rehabbed.
Did this mean I never saw a Midsouth unit pull a #7 or a #8? NOPE! For a couple of months, MSRC 1074 was the rear unit on train #8 (I never got to see #7 because I was working during the day). That poor engine seemed like it was 2 notches higher than the other engines ahead of it when it came roaring by. I feel like UP or NS would have blown up half of Midsouth's fleet trying to use their engines on their respective mainlines.
Sorry so long winded. Just wanted to get the "old days" included in this very well put together and very informative documentary you created Bishop. Keep it up!
Lot of cool information in this comment. Thanks for sharing this!
I grew up in Mississippi.. That line goes through my hometown. I remember when the upgrades began in the mid 90's. The number of intermodals was bananas. Not to mention the locals and regular manifest freight. BNSF used to run their intermodals that way but now they run through Memphis down to Birmingham.
When I first started with the KCS it was dark territory and then the NS spent 300 million to make it CTC. There were a lot of changes to the rail in Shreveport. I remember when the track bulletins said no double stacks could go under 49.
Like 81 beautiful video! Greetings 🚂👍🙋♂️
That intro had a very late 90s "educational" intro. Love it.
Because it came from a 90s train documentary! Glad you liked it!
That is a very nice and informative video. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it!
Thumbed up of course! Have a nice Thursday! 🌞
nice video
Appreciate it!
Great fun, indeed! Thanks for that.
Appreciate it!
Thanks, enjoyed!
Thanks Keith!
Sad to see KCS merge with CN, will miss seeing those Beautiful KCS engines!😥
Burntfields Johnson on kcs 4101 got Chelsea Barton fired from Visit Tuscaloosa after he built a robot like her and the robot shot and killed a man, he was later caught and arrested in Scott County, Arkansas the week after, Chelsea got fired wrongfully, she sued Tuscaloosa Police for arresting and charging her with capital murder, the charges were dismissed Chelsea Barton
Actually they merged with CP Canadian Pacific not CN Canadian National
MoP and WP [Western Pacific] heritage units. Good catch. Informative.
Great commentary and video!
Thank you sir!
How many trains use the Meridian Speedway
I first heard the intro song on Great American Scenic Railroads, and while I long to know what it’s called, I feel like it’s a perfect fit for the video.
Glad to see someone else recognizes it! Still trying to find the official song audio myself.
@@LouisianaRailProductions Indeed! I do know that the theme song for the series is called “Homelands”, though. You can even find it on RUclips, though make sure it’s uploaded by the channel “de Wolfe Music USA” (or something along those lines).
Yeah I've found that one. Used it in a few other videos in the past for nostalgia
Nice catches
You do a good job on takeing pictures on the speed way I like your you tub page keep up the good work and be safe
What song was that at 10:00?
Man that was some random music I ripped from the main menu of some railroad DVD and slightly slowed. Wanna say it was from the Extreme Steam set.
Excellent railroad videography and excellent narration providing interesting information on a critical link in the North American rail network. Thanks!
This is your best video yet! I actually wish it was longer. And scenes from my hometown of Monroe is just icing on the cake.
Thanks John glad you enjoyed!
I enjoyed this video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
The kcs is a good railroad
What’s the music in the background in the beginning?
Thanks for sharing friend and informative
Big S and love ypur channel
See you around friend
BNSF use to use it alot in the past .
Yes they did. I think they had 2 pairs of intermodals. One was I-LBAT (Long Beach-Atlanta)...the counter part used a different symbol not related to I-LBAT.
I've seen a good bit of pictures of the BNSF stacks on the line. Wish they were still around.
Another top-notch quality video, my friend. Thank you for sharing.
Great catches Bishop, bud! Especially with the information you given in this video. I actually knew where they originated from & were terminated to. The reason why I call ZLCAI & ZAILC iZLAAT & iZATLA is because that's the KCS symbols for the UP Intermodals.
Apparently KCS just uses the UP symbols now instead of there own.
@@LouisianaRailProductions - Really bud? So I'll call them ZLCAI & ZAILC.
The unit trains from Hardisty to Houston will fill up the KCS line once CP takes over
👍👍always 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸!!!
Terrific compilation LRP's.
That was awesome!! Such a great idea, and the execution didn't disappoint! Really liked the info included!
Glad you enjoyed!
O my god This bad ass video You go man
Great video and commentary, Bishop. I really enjoyed watching and learned a lot in the process. As always, I loved seeing those KCS locomotives in action.
👍👍😎😎
If/when the Atlanta to Dallas route is approved, Amtrak will use the speedway. I believe it will have to be upgraded a bit.
And the previous owner you speak of was none other than MidSouth who took the line over from the original builders. It's a shame that MidSouth didn't get a heritage unit from KCS.
Correction, UP does not have haulage rights. UP trains become NS when they hit Shreveport going east and the opposite going west. Otherwise amazing video.
Hope the cn do not take over the kcs