Meridian and Bigbee Railroad

The Meridian and Bigbee Railroad (MNBR), identified by its reporting mark MNBR, is a Class III railroad with operations spanning over 168 miles (270 km) of track, running between Meridian, Mississippi, and Burkville, Alabama. Additionally, MNBR holds trackage rights over the CSX line, extending from Burkville to Montgomery, Alabama. The railroad possesses a railcar loading capacity of 286,000 pounds.
== Historical Background: ==
The M&B, chartered on December 24, 1926, embarked on its construction journey. By April 1928, it had progressed eastward to Cromwell, Alabama, and eventually, in 1935, it reached Myrtlewood, Alabama, establishing a connection with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N).[1][2] The railroad initially operated with steam locomotives until 1953. Presently, the sole surviving M&B steam locomotive is engine #116, a 2-8-0 Consolidation originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1917 for the Susquehanna and New York Railroad. This historic locomotive is on public display at Highland Park in Meridian.
In 2003, the M&B assumed control of the ex-L&N line from Myrtlewood to Selma, Alabama, and the ex-Western Railway of Alabama line from Selma to Burkville. CSX retained ownership between Montgomery and Burkville, where a significant industrial customer was located.
In 2005, Genesee & Wyoming Inc. acquired MNBR, marking a significant development in its ownership.
The M&B gained national attention in 2007 when a train carrying components of the Space Shuttle solid rocket booster derailed on an overloaded bridge, weakened by heavy rains.
=== Investments and Upgrades: ===
Between 2018 and 2022, the MNBR experienced substantial investments totaling over $21 million. These investments included enhancements at Naheola Yard and Meridian Yard. The improvements at Meridian Yard were achieved through a public-private partnership between the Mississippi Department of Transportation and MNBR. During this period, more than 99,000 new crossties and switch ties were installed, alongside a $7 million investment to improve grade crossings and to repair and upgrade bridges along the railway.
=== Future Developments: ===
On June 28, 2023, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Transportation revealed their joint intention to acquire the entirety of the MNBR line. In this proposed arrangement, CPKC would take control of the line section stretching from Meridian to Myrtlewood, Alabama, while CSX would do the same for the segment from Myrtlewood to Burkville. Approval by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) would create a direct link between the two companies. As part of the agreement, Genesee & Wyoming would receive CPKC properties in Alberta and access to CPKC lines. MNBR would continue serving its existing customers on the line.[6][7] This connection through the MNBR line would streamline the movement of CSX traffic destined for Mexico, eliminating the need for intermediary railroads. Currently, CSX traffic bound for Mexico is routed through the Union Pacific Railroad in New Orleans before reaching its cross-border gateway in Laredo, Texas, and eventually delivered to CPKC.
It's worth noting that Kansas City Southern, one of CPKC's predecessor railroads, had previously attempted a joint purchase of the MNBR line with CSX more than two decades ago. However, the deal was abandoned to avoid upsetting BNSF and Union Pacific, the dominant railroads in the western region, which did not wish to see CSX or Norfolk Southern doing business with KCS.
In the event of the purchase's approval, CPKC and CSX have plans to upgrade the MNBR track to Class III standards, enabling faster operation at 40 mph (64 km/h), compared to the current 10 to 25 mph (16 to 40 km/h) speed limit. Further enhancements include improvements in Meridian to accommodate double-stack trains by increasing clearances. If traffic on the line intensifies, CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel has suggested the possibility of introducing centralized traffic control and advancing track quality to Class IV standards, allowing speeds to increase to 60 mph (97 km/h).
Category:Class III Railroads
Category:American railroads