Locomotives

The three 1,750 HP diesel-electric locomotives that power the Southern Belle were built in 1957 by General Motors' Electro Motive Division (EMD) for VIA Rail Canada.  In 1995, KCS bought three units from the Ohio Central Railroad and Independent Locomotive and began refurbishing them at Mid-America Car in Kansas City. 

While braking and control systems also are updated, one sentimental holdover remains from the locomotives of old: a whistle cord.  As in years past, a tug on the cord - suspended from the cab's ceiling just an arm's length away from the engineer's control panel - produces the distinctive train whistle.  However, in keeping with the locomotives' other mechanical updates, there is also a button on the control panel for sounding the horn.  In addition, a floor-mounted foot control is specially configured to create the whistle sequence used when approaching a signal crossing.

KCS #1, The Shreveport
Type:  F9A
Length:  55 feet
Weight: 237,400 pounds
Namesake: Named for the U.S. operating hub, the crossroads of U.S. traffic and main locomotive shop

KCS #2, The Meridian
Type:  F9A
Length:  55 feet
Weight:  233,000 pounds
Namesake: Named for the eastern gateway to the “Meridian Speedway”

KCS #3, The Pittsburg
Type: F9B or cables unit
Length: 50 feet 6 inches
Weight: 230,500 pounds
Namesake: Named for a crew-change point on the U.S. north-south line and the location of what was the main locomotive shop until the 1970's