Railroad News

Kansas City Southern has submitted a commitment letter to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) pledging to set a science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.

The science-based target will align with what climate scientists say is needed to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, KCS officials said in a press release.

Kansas City Southern announced today that its KCS Holiday Express program raised over $277,000 to benefit The Salvation Army in 20 communities on the Class I's U.S. rail network.

Over the past 20 years, the charitable component of the KCS Holiday Express project has raised over $2.3 million, which was donated to The Salvation Army at each scheduled train stop to help provide warm clothing and other necessities for children in need in local communities. This year's Holiday Express Train stops were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the fundraiser continued.

Kansas City Southern's Holiday Express project so far this year has raised $148,115 in a fundraiser to benefit The Salvation Army in 20 communities on the Class I's network.

KCS officials announced in September that the company would launch the fundraiser to mark the Holiday Express program's 20th anniversary. Yesterday, the company issued a challenge grant to raise even more, KCS officials said in a press release.

Kansas City Southern today reported third-quarter 2020 revenue declined 12 percent to $659.6 million compared with the same period a year ago, as carload volumes fell 4 percent during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Class I's Q3 operating expenses were $388.1 million, down from $465.7 million, and operating income was $271.5 million, down from $282 million a year ago. KCS posted an operating ratio of 58.8 percent for the quarter, down from 62.3 percent in Q3 2019. Net income was $190.2 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, up from $180.6 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, a year ago.

A protestors' blockade has obstructed rail tracks between Caltzontzin and La Vinata, Mexico, which has affected Kansas City Southern de Mexico's rail traffic for the past three weeks, MexicoNewsDaily.com reported.

More than 70 teachers and teachers in training have been blocking the tracks in Michoacan, Mexico, halting the movement of freight to and from the Port of Lazaro Cardenas. The KCSM traffic mainly consists of steel, petroleum and automotive products, the news site reported.

Kansas City Southern has canceled this year's Holiday Express train due to the pandemic, but the railroad will mark the charitable program's 20th year with a fundraiser to benefit The Salvation Army in 20 communities along the KCS network.

"While it is not safe to gather for free visits with Santa Claus and tours of the Holiday Express train this year, the need for the charitable component of this program is greater than ever," KCS President and Chief Executive officer Patrick Ottensmeyer said in a press release.

President Donald Trump has approved a permit to allow Kansas City Southern to build an additional, parallel bridge span next to its existing international rail bridge in Laredo, Texas.

The Class I applied for the permit with the U.S. Department of State in March.

Kansas City Southern reported second-quarter 2020 revenue of $547.9 million, a 23 percent decline from second-quarter 2019 primarily due to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, carload volumes tumbled 21 percent compared to the prior year, KCS officials said in a press release.

Kansas City Southern in late June released an update to its 2019 sustainability report.

Safety statistics shared annually in sustainability reports now will include data from KCS’ Mexican operations, the update states. Titled "For the Long Haul: Delivering Prosperity, Valuing People, Protecting the Planet,” the 2019 report now shows the Class I improved its consolidated reportable train accident frequency ratio by 26 percent and consolidated reportable injury frequency ratio by eight percent.

Kansas City Southern today reported record revenue of $731.7 million for the first quarter, an 8 percent increase from first-quarter 2019. Overall carload volume rose 4 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

KCS officials said the Q1 revenue growth was led primarily by an 18 percent increase in its chemicals and petroleum business, which was boosted by higher refined fuel products and liquid petroleum gas shipments to Mexico.

Kansas City Southern today reported fourth-quarter 2019 revenue rose 5 percent to $729.5 million compared with the same quarter a year ago, driven primarily by increases in chemicals, petroleum and industrial and consumer products.

However, fourth-quarter net income declined year over year to $127.2 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, from $161.1 million, or $1.59 per diluted share.

Kansas City Southern's 19th annual Holiday Express will distribute $170,450 to The Salvation Army at stops along the route to provide clothing and other necessities to children in need, the Class I announced yesterday.

The train will stop in 20 communities in five states on 25 dates, starting Nov. 27 and ending Dec. 22, KCS officials said in a press release.