Just read your post of KSU. I believe its a fine RR servicing the plains of the USA and beyond.
I have done some research and I will share it with you and look forward to corresponding with you on KSU.
Pay special attention to 2000. That year the dividend was suspended, the Stillwell financial subsidiary (Janus) was spun off, and there was a reverse split in the common stock. I am a historian so I may have overemphasized the Staggers (RR deregulation) Act information.
During 4q2005- KSU and Norfolk Southern agree to Joint Venture. NS will pay $300 mill to upgrade the
railway from Meridian MS to Shreveport LA
April 1, 2005 - KSU competes the acquistion of the controlling interest in Kansas City Southern de Mexico railway.
Jan 1, 2005 - KSU completes the acquisition of the Tex Mex railway.
Nov 11, 2005 - The Billings MT Gazette had an informative article on ksu, especially
for transporting goods overseas from Asia.
Sep 2005 - I read an informative article in the "Rocky Mtn News" reviewing the
shortage of rail cars to carry the coal from the western slope of Colorado & Powder
River Basin of Wyoming to end markets. The RRs impacted were the Union Pacific
and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Both railroads stated they are improving their
rail lines in the areas, AND experiencing a shortage of railcars that carry the
coal to markets in the east and midwest.
Tom White of Amer Assoc of Railroads states "The rule of thumb is that for trips of
about 750 mi. of longer, particularly if the cargo is heavy, the railroad can move it for
at lower cost. Trains are inherently more fuel-effiecient than trucks by a factor of 2
or 3. One train moves cargo equivalent to 280 trucks, but instead of 280 drivers
a train's got 2".
April 2002 - KSU and BNSF sign a marketing agreement, kind of a joint venture.
where each RR uses each other rail lines.
In 2002 - KSU sells Wyandotte Garage for a gain of $4.9 mill
During 2001 - Canada National RR acquires Wisconsin Central
June 2001 - STB issues new rules governing major railroad mergers or
consolidations of 2 or more 'class 1' RRs. The new rules increase the burden on
on the acquiring RR to demonstrate the transaction is in the public interest.
Class 1 - RR w/ $250 mill revs; Class 2 are regional RRs; Class 3 are local RRs
Mar 12, 2001 - the TexMex sub buys a 85 mi line from Rosenberg, TX to Victoria TX
from Union Pacific for $ 9.2 mill, effectively connecting Laredo to the Gulf of Mexico
July 12, 2000 - KSU spins off Stillwell Financial (Berger, Janus, other fin opers)
to its shareholders
July 2000 - stk does a reverse 1-for-2 split
First qtr 2000 - KSU suspends the div on com stk.
Late 1999 - BNSF tries to buy Canada Natl RR, and the Surface Trans Board
says WHOA - there must be railway competition in No Amer these
consolidations are going overboard.
June 1999 - Canada Natl RR buys Illinois Central RR - further consolidating No
Amer Railways
During 1998 - KSU buys concesssion for $9.5 to rebuild the Panana Canal Railway
During 1998 - KSU gets haulage rts to Omaha, Lincoln NE, & Council Bluffs IQ as
result of UP buying the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
Dec 1997 - KSU and Norfolk Southern enter 3 yr marketing agreement giving
co the right to service the railroad from Dallas, TX to Meridian, MS
During 1997 - Norfolk So & CSX buy the assets of Conrail - furthering RR
consolidation in No Amer
During 1997 - KSU buys 37% of Grupo TFM (Mexico) for $298 mill
During 1996 - KSU authorizes a 9 mill shs buyback program
During 1995 - KSU authorizes a 24 mill shs buyback program
During 1995 - Union Pacific and Chicago & NW RR merge - furthering RR
consolidation in No Amer
During 1995 - Burlington Northern and Sante Fe RRs merge - starting RR
consolidation in No Amer
During 1995 - KSU buys 49% of Tex Mex of Laredo for $23 mill
During 1980 the RR industry changes drastically because of the Staggers Act
which derulated the industry and let to market base competition in RRs.
In addtion trucks remained a very strong competitor. The railroads were forced
to adapt or die.
During 1887 Arthur Stillwell starts a north south railway that become the
Kansas City RR, he wants to get midwest food stuffs to the Gulf of Mexico ports.
For export around the world. |
