KCSR promotes Vecellio to AVP, sets higher train speed on Mississippi line

Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) has promoted Shawn Vecellio from director to assistant vice president of production and standards for the engineering department. He reports to Senior Vice President of Engineering and Chief Transportation Officer Jeffrey Songer.

Vecellio oversees tie and rail production gangs, engineering mechanical functions and engineering standards. In his new role, he will assume additional responsibilities for the Superior Tie & Timber facility in Vivian, La.; planning and administrative functions for the engineering group; and support of the engineering functions for Kansas City Southern’s subsidiaries in Mexico and Panama.

Vecellio, who has nearly 18 years of railroad engineering and management experience, joined KCSR in 2008. He previously served CSX Transportation as manager of program construction for the Atlanta division, and held various positions at BNSF Railway Co., Permian Basin Railways and Great Western Railway.

"Shawn's technical expertise and strong execution and leadership skills make him a natural fit for this position," said Songer in a press release.

Meanwhile, KCSR last week announced plans to increase train speed on portions of its line from Gulfport to Hattiesburg, Miss., from 25 mph to 49 mph, beginning Sept. 1.

Speeds won't be increased at yard limits on either end of the line, inside Wiggins' city limits and the line south of Interstate 10. A major track rehabilitation project — which will enhance economic development opportunities in the region — has enabled the railroad to increase speed on five track segments, KCSR officials said.