OREANDA-NEWS. Effective September 1, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) will increase train speed on portions of its line from Gulfport to Hattiesburg from 25 miles per hour to 49 miles per hour. The exceptions where the speed will not increase include KCSR yard limits on either end of the line, inside the city limits of Wiggins and the line south of I-10.

In addition, the train speed on this line will be affected as follows:

From Gulfport, train speed will remain 25 miles per hour until the lead locomotive passes Morton Road in Saucier northbound, at which time the train speed may increase up to 49 miles per hour.

At Perkinston, train speed will remain 25 miles per hour until the lead locomotive passes Third Street at Perkinston southbound, at which time train speed may increase up to 49 miles per hour.

At Wiggins, train speed will remain at 10 miles per hour until the lead locomotive passes MS 26 southbound, at which time train speed may increase up to 25 miles per hour and when the lead locomotives passes Davis Avenue northbound, the train speed may increase to 49 miles per hour.

At McLaurin, train speed will remain at 25 miles per hour until the lead locomotive passes Dunkly Street southbound and Carter Road northbound, at which time the train speed can increase up to 49 miles per hour.

At Hattiesburg, train speed will increase from 10 to 20 miles per hour from Tatum Industrial Drive to Barkley Road.

The increase in train speed over these track segments is made possible by a major track rehabilitation effort that will enhance economic development opportunities in the region.

For public safety, KCSR and Mississippi Operation Lifesaver would like to remind the community that as train speed increases, regardless of whether the crossing is public or private or what type of warning is in place, motorists and pedestrians are urged to always expect a train. In addition, pedestrians are urged to stay off railroad rights-of-way. Do not walk along the track or trespass on railroad rights-of-way and only cross the tracks at designated crossings.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Southern (KCS) is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is KCSR, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of LЁўzaro CЁўrdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS' North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.