Kansas City Southern recently expanded its Transload Center (TLC) network by opening or improving facilities in Baton Rouge, La., Spiro, Okla. and Jackson, Miss.
In December, KCS completed a Phase II expansion at its Spiro TLC, doubling track capacity to 28 car spots to accommodate growing phosphate and forest-product business. Emerson Transloading operates the facility, which includes a truck scale, warehouse and 30 acres of outside storage.
The railroad also recently opened a TLC in Baton Rouge to serve plastics and chemical shippers, including Exxon Chemical. The fenced, paved and lit facility — which includes 20 car spots, a truck scale and land for expansion — is operated by A&R Transport Inc., one of the nation's largest bulk truck carriers.
Finally, the Class I plans by month's end to add an additional food-grade track, complete paving and widen an unloading area at its Jackson TLC to accommodate centerbeam cars and food-grade freight that requires an undercar conveyor, and increase car spots to 65. The 55-acre facility is operated by Kinder Morgan Co.
The facility currently is at 80 percent capacity, handling plastics, flour, clay and feed-product cars. KCS expects to increase Jackson traffic at an annual growth rate of 25 percent because rail and non-rail served plants in the area plan to expand.
KCS partners with logistics, trucking and warehouse firms to operate its TLC network, which comprises 41 facilities. The railroad markets TLCs to customers that prefer to receive shipments in truckload or smaller lot sizes. KCS offers a single-bill, door-to-door package including rail-car, warehousing and trucking services.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
