In January 2004, KCS SD60 744 was involved in a crossing collision at Calhoun, La. that caused extensive damage to the engine.

In the past, locomotive bodywork would have been outsourced to a local shop. This time the project was kept at the KCS locomotive shop in Shreveport, La.

"The KCS mechanical team has the skills and the resources to produce first rate work, and they have really demonstrated that with the restoration of KCS 744 to its full operable condition," said Jim Fisk, vice president and chief mechanical officer. "Keeping projects like this in house directly affects our bottom line." In this instance, locomotive repairs are billable to a third party. By keeping the work in house, KCSR lowers fixed costs for other mechanical department activities.

KCSR gave special thanks to carmen Ricky Bollman and Larry Stevens, boilermaker Mitch Hataway, chief special representative Chris Burchfield and car foreman Mike Ebarb, who worked tirelessly to restore KCS 744 to its original condition.