MOSS POINT, MISS.,—Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE) held a Gold Spike Ceremony for a new railcar repair shop specializing in tank qualification at the Helena Industrial Complex, Moss Point, Mississippi, on May 13. The Mark B. Miller Railcar Repair Shop, named after retired Vice President of Operations of 22 years, will service outside customers, specializing in tank car qualification, cleaning, and blast and painting, bringing new business and growth to Jackson County.
“The new Tank Qualification Shop will be built on a 12-acre site in our Helena Industrial Complex,” said Kate Bourgeois, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mississippi Export Railroad. “The complex site is certified and shovel ready to begin construction. We hope to add up to 24 new full-time jobs within the first five years of operation.” Tank cars transport various liquid commodities, including water, ethanol, crude oil, vegetable oil, and propane. At regular intervals, tank cars must be inspected or “qualified” by certified personnel to ensure their safety for carrying these commodities. The qualification process involves visual inspections, structural integrity checks, thickness testing, safety system evaluations, complete valve rebuilds, leakage pressure tests and internal coating inspections.
While tank car inspection and qualification are less common than other types of railcar maintenance, such as preventative maintenance repair, the services help protect the environment and
the communities served by rail and ensure the long-term, overall safety of rail transportation. “The MSE team is proud to be able to fill this important need for our industry,” said Bourgeois. “MSE will now be ready to inspect and qualify tank cars for use all over the country while at the same time growing Jackson County’s economy.”
For more information about Mississippi Export Railroad, visit www.mserr.com or its development site-ready locations, please visit www.railcentric.com.
About Mississippi Export Railroad
Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE) – headquartered in Moss Point, Mississippi – was founded on November 10, 1922, as a 42-mile short-line railroad extending from Evanston, Mississippi, to Pascagoula, Mississippi. It is in the north-south corridor, providing a critical commerce link between Canadian National Railway (CN) and CSX Transportation (CSX) to south Mississippi
industries. Through MSE’s rail connections, customers also have access to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Norfolk Southern (NS), in addition to the Ports of Pascagoula and Mobile, linking customers to all points on the continent and beyond. MSE’s team focuses on providing rail solutions for shippers, enabling easy utilization of rail. The commitment and determination of its employees have allowed MSE to grow and serve customers for over 100 years. For more information, visit mserr.com.