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Last month, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) implemented a locomotive management system (LMS) to electronically monitor locomotives’ location, condition, fuel consumption, inspection records and shop status.

The system is similar to one implemented in 2001 by the Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR), which since has upgraded the LMS to receive data from Automated Equipment Identification readers; handle telephone voice response units; process fuel consumption, utilization and dwell reports; and monitor End of Train devices, and locomotive inspections and repairs. KCSR also merged LMS with the Management Control System (MCS) computer platform. KCSM plans to do the same after deploying MCS in May.

“LMS provides access to more accurate and timely information to manage locomotive assets,” said Norm Nolte, Kansas City Southern’s assistant vice president of international asset management and process control, in a prepared statement.

Meanwhile, KCSM also restructured its engineering department last month. Formerly split into three divisions (Monterrey, San Luis and Mexico), the department now is divided into a North and South division.

Led by Engineering Manager Benjamin Campero, the North Division covers the former Monterrey Division territory, as well as lines between Vanegas and San Luis, San Luis and Chicalote, and Salinas and Laguna Seca; led by Engineering Manager Francisco Vazquez Patino, the South Division covers the remainder of KCSM’s system.