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Kansas City Southern’s U.S. and Mexican railroads are registering a few firsts. The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) recently acquired its first large-scale, high-production tamper.

The railroad is using a Plasser American Corp. 09-16 DYNA C.A.T continuous-action, high-speed tamper, which is designed to tamp track three times faster than a conventional tamper. The machine features automatic computer-controlled lifting, leveling and lining systems, and a dynamic track stabilizer.

Meanwhile, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) is getting ready to roll out its first computer platform designed to manage and schedule operations. In June, the railroad will cut over the Management Control System — which currently is used by KCSR and The Texas Mexican Railway Co. — to improve shipment data accuracy and timeliness.

KCSM also is spending $7 million to upgrade telecommunications networks and purchase new phones, computers and Automated Equipment Identification readers.