(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on November 13.)
The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) recently completed a 9,000-foot siding west of the Ouachita River in Monroe, La.
The siding, which features Centralized Traffic Control, is named the “Fitzmorris Siding” to honor former KCSR Vice President and Louisiana Lieutenant Gov. James Fitzmorris Jr.
During his 32-year KCSR career, Fitzmorris rose from messenger boy to vice president. He retired from the railroad in 1972 after being elected as the state’s first full-time lieutenant governor, but continues to serve KCSR as an advisor.
In 1984, Fitzmorris retired as a two-term lieutenant governor — the last to preside over the Louisiana State Senate.