Gulf and Mississippi Railroad
| Reporting mark | GMSR |
|---|---|
| Locale | Mississippi |
| Dates of operation | 1985–1988 |
| Predecessor | Illinois Central |
| Successor | MidSouth |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) |
| Length | 713 miles (1,147 km) |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Mississippi |
The Gulf and Mississippi Railroad (reporting mark GMSR) was the first regional railroad in the United States upon its creation in 1985. With over 713 miles (1,147 km) of track in the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama it was among the largest spin-off railroads in the post-Staggers Act era. MidSouth Rail acquired the entire G&M railroad in 1988, operating it as a separate entity, SouthRail. Kansas City Southern purchased MidSouth Rail in 1994 and most of the former G&M lines are still in service under KCS.
Nearly all components of the Gulf & Mississippi were previously owned by the Gulf, Mobile, & Ohio before the 1972 acquisition of that railroad by the Illinois Central. The GM&O previously maintained two parallel routes through eastern Mississippi, and the easternmost route from Corinth, Mississippi, to Mobile, Alabama, 331 miles (533 km), formed the backbone of the G&M system. This route, as well as the Artesia, Mississippi through Tuscaloosa to Holt, Alabama line belonged to the Mobile & Ohio prior to merger with the GM&N in 1940.
In addition to the Corinth–Mobile route, the G&M owned a route from Middleton, Tennessee, to Woodland, Mississippi, including a branch to Tupelo, Mississippi, through trackage rights with Burlington Northern. This allowed access between the main G&M system and the disconnected line from Middleton to Woodland. Initially the disconnected branch was reached through Corinth and Middleton via trackage rights with the Southern. Further lines included Aberdeen to Laurel, Mississippi, and Union to Walnut Grove, Mississippi.
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