(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on June 15, 2009.)
On June 1, Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) began using a second wheel impact load detector (WILD) south of Nuevo Laredo on the B line between Huizachito and Rodriguez, Mexico.
The railroad previously installed its first WILD north of Vanegas. The devices are designed to measure rolling stock’s impact on track, and detect flat or broken wheels on rail cars or locomotives.
“By identifying defects, the rolling stock can be taken out of service and repaired, preventing track damage or even a derailment, and enhancing the overall safety of the operation,” KCSM officials said in an item posted on the “KCS News” Web site.
Meanwhile, Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) announced plans to begin operating trains on the newly rehabilitated Victoria-to-Rosenberg, Texas, line on June 17.
To ensure motorists’ safety along the line, KCSR worked with the Texas Department of Transportation to install flashers/gates and emergency notification signs, or crossbucks with a stop or yield sign, reflective striping and emergency notification signs at dozens of public grade crossings.
The railroad plans to launch operations gradually to enable motorists to adjust to train traffic along the restored line. Maximum speed through crossings will be 10 mph until June 25, when speed will increase to 25 mph. Maximum train speeds later will increase to 40 mph on July 13 and 49 mph on Aug. 1.