Page 58 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2022

Celebrating 100 Years of Connecting South Mississippi to the World
story and photos courtesy of Mississippi Export Railroad
MSE Engine #68, or “Big Daddy” - named after long-time MSE executive, Dwain G. Luce. Big Daddy is the strongest locomotive in the fleet and weighs in at 275,000 lbs. It can reach a top speed of 65MPH.
This November marks 100 years since a landmark event in Mississippi transportation history - when Gregory M. Luce purchased the A&M Railroad and began
transforming the short-line railroad into the multifaceted operation that we know today as Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE).
The centennial anniversary of MSE commemorates a rich history of humble beginnings and consistently moving forward for more than ten decades. Its key focus and secret to success is family, in more ways than one.
The family-owned business, currently led by its founder’s great-great-granddaughter, Kate Luce, credits its longevity to those team members both past and present whose resilience, innovation, ingenuity, and passion helped turn a South Mississippi railroad into a gateway to the world.
“Everyone at MSE is a critical member of the team. We are proud that so many of our team members chose to spend their careers at MSE, contributing to the business’ success today and tomorrow,” said Kate Luce, President & Chief Executive Officer, Mississippi Export Railroad. “It’s the team’s commitment to quality service and the knowledge we can always be better that has allowed MSE to continuously evolve, propelling us forward, and will do so for decades to come.”
Beyond rail’s benefits of economical, environmentally friendly, and fuel-efficient transportation, MSE sets itself apart with its steady reputation for customer service and a superior safety record while providing innovative logistics
LEFT TO RIGHT: Cliff Melton, Vice President of Operations; Kate Luce, President and Chief Executive Officer; Melinda Eckert, Vice President of Accounting, Finance, & Customer Service.
Now 42 miles long, the Mississippi Export Railroad continues to put safety and customer service first.
58 | August 2022
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