Meridian Railroad Museum

The Railroads of Meridian MS.

Kansas City Southern

Kansas City Southern currently operates through the Meridian area on their route between Vicksburg, MS and Artesia, MS to points northward. As a result of their newly upgraded "Meridian Speedway" route to the west they trade at least four intermodal trains a day with NS crews. Meridian is a crew base for all KCS crews running on the two subdivision (Meridian & Artesia). KCS operates a significant yard facility here also.

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern currently operates through the Meridian area on their route between New Orleans. LA and Birmingham, AL. They also have trackage rights on the KCS route west to Shreveport, LA, and as a result trade at least four intermodal trains a day with KCS crews. Meridian is also the crew base for all NS crews running on the two districts (A.G.S. & N.O.N.E.). NS is the only railroad in the Meridian area that still has operational locomotive servicing facilities, car department and "Special Agent". As well as well as a rather large yard facility.

Meridian & Bigbee

Meridian's original hometown shortline (originally 50.9 miles), Meridian & Bigbee is one of the few rare railroads left today that has remained under one name during its entire existence. The paper mill in Myrtlewood, AL that it serves once owned this railroad passing it to Rail Management Corporation (RMC) a few years back. While under RMC the system was enlarged on November 16, 2003 by acquiring former CSX trackage to Montgomery, AL. bringing to a new total of 158.6 miles in length. On June 1, 2005 RMC was purchased by the Genessee & Wyoming Inc. giving the M&B new leadership.

Meridian Southern

Meridian Southern is the areas newest shortline having recently started serving the customers of the former KCS Waynesboro Subdivision. Beginning April 1, 2000 the Meridian Southern assumed operations of the 54.5 mile line south out of the area to Waynesboro, using four former KCS GP10's Still in MidSouth paint leased from a third party. They have recently purchased five former Norfolk Southern B23-7’s to replace the GP10’s. The Cayuga Railway out of New York State owns the railroad.

Amtrak

Amtrak currently operates two passenger trains a day through the Meridian area, the northbound (#20) and southbound (#19) "Crescent". They operate out of the newly built Union Station on the site of the old station downtown. Meridian is also the crew change point for all Amtrak trains running thru the area for Conductors and Locomotive Engineers. Plans are On hold at this time for Amtrak to add an additional train out of this city, to be known as the "Crescent Star", it was to operate from Meridian to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area on KCS trackage and would have split from the southbound "Crescent" for the westward trip and be recombined with the northbound "Crescent" at the end of its eastward trip. Only time will tell if Amtrak can get back on their feet again, but I have word that when things get better the “Crescent Star” will be on top of the list of new trains they will be starting.