Western Railroad Discussion > CPKC+CSX Southeast Mexico Express First Run

Today CPKC and CSX commenced operating the Southeast Mexico Express via their new connection at Myrtlewood, Alabama on the former Meridian and Bigbee Railroad.  

I was able to catch the first eastbound movement at Vicksburg, Mississippi as the train crossed the Mississippi River around 6 PM behind CSX Units 406 and 367.  The train was operating on CPKC as Train 164.

The light wasn't the best, but it's the last time I'll see it for the first time.

It's good to see more activity on this strategic route.  

VR Out

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Nice image !
So where does this train originate and terminate ?

I agree that it's nice to see new freight lanes appear on this strategic route.

Can you say how long this inaugural run eastbaound was, and whether they will also need to adhere to the train length constraints that the UP-NS ZLAAI and ZAILA trains are subject to?

I would assume yes, and so I wonder at what point traffic growth by all carriers that use this route could result in capacity expansion spending (longer sidings, maybe also more of them) by the benefitting roads (NS and CPKC) in proportion to their volume.

This might be a positive precedent for similar capacity expansion on UP-owned trackage used by CPKC between Beaumont abd Rosenberg,

This particular train set (164/165) operates between Myrtlewod, Alabama and Wylie, Texas.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/26 18:01 by Vicksburg_Route.

This train had 12 well cars, all loaded.

Yes the 8500 foot length restriction would likely apply to thsi train as well as all others using the speedway.

I'm not sure at what point capacity expansion would be needed.  Right now, if trains stay under 8500 feet, the Speedway can easily handle 30 trains daily.  If trains exceed that 8500 foot restriction, capacity drops significantly because there are only 3 locations over 300 miles where trains over 8500 feet can fit into existing sidings.  

 

What a fantastic view!

Posted from Android

I thought 164/165 was an existing train between Fairborn (suburban Atlanta) and Wylie (suburban Dallas)? Did this one go on to Mexico? 

Great shot!

You are correct.  164/165 operate on CPKC between Wylie, Texas and Myrtlewood, Alabama.  The recent change on the CPKC side is that 164/165 are now dedicated intermodal trains with the SMX (Southeast Mexican Express) designation.  Between Myrtlewood, Alabama and Fairburn, Georgia, these trains operate on CSX as I113 and I114.

This train did not originate in Mexico, but rather in Wylie, Texas.  CPKC has started a new intermodal service, 174/175, that will interchange traffic to and from Mexico with 164/165 in Bossier City, Louisiana.  

Love the picture.

There's a good map on the Wylie site.  But it does leave open the question of why CSX goes all the way to Wylie, when turning south at Shreveport would cut out a lot of distance.  I wonder if they are off loading from rail to trucks to go into Mexico?

https://wylieedc.com/wylie-intermodal-terminal

Love the image. 

Can we assume that NS will try to reactivate those field artillery pieces and aim them at the bridge?😁

Outstanding image!

Very nice!!!!

Very classy scene.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Love the picture.
>
> There's a good map on the Wylie site.  But it
> does leave open the question of why CSX goes all
> the way to Wylie, when turning south at Shreveport
> would cut out a lot of distance.  I wonder if
> they are off loading from rail to trucks to go
> into Mexico?
>
> https://wylieedc.com/wylie-intermodal-terminal

CPKC has started a new intermodal service, 174/175, that will interchange traffic to and from Mexico with 164/165 in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Posted from Android

Vicksburg_Route Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> CPKC has started a new intermodal service,
> 174/175, that will interchange traffic to and from
> Mexico with 164/165 in Bossier City, Louisiana.
>
> Posted from Android

Thanks, that makes a lot more sense than sending the Mexico traffic all the way to Wylie.