Railroads begin restoring Mid-South service after ‘Barry’ barrels through Louisiana and Arkansas NEWSWIRE

NEW ORLEANS — Rail operations along the U.S. Gulf Coast were returning somewhat to normal Monday as Tropical Storm Barry — now a tropical depression — moved north into Arkansas and was expected to go in the general direction of St. Louis.

The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad started three switching jobs late Sunday and resumed full operations as expected on Monday.

Norfolk Southern says operations are returning to normal although shipments are delayed 24 to 48 hours.

Kansas City Southern, which embargoed all New Orleans traffic on Friday, says it has returned to interchanging most local traffic through the city and “all embargoes will be lifted when the backlog has been reduced and network fluidity has resumed.”

KCS officials say they are closely monitoring potential Barry-caused flooding threats to its Meridian Speedway between Monroe, La., and Vicksburg, Miss.

Canadian National is working with local customers to determine switching needs.

CSX Transportation and BNSF Railway officials, on Thursday told New Orleans customers to expect service disruptions and Union Pacific last week placed an embargo on New Orleans traffic.