The Alabama Southern Railroad was formed by Watco Co. and leased
the rail line from Columbus, MS to Tuscaloosa, AL from Kansas City Southern
Railway (KCS). Included in this lease is the Warrior Branch between
Tuscaloosa and Fox, AL and the Brookwood Branch from Brookwood Jct. to
Brookwood, AL. Alabama Southern RR also has trackage rights over the KCS
between Columbus and Artesia, MS. The Alabama Southern RR started operations
on November 20, 2005.
SOURCE: Wikipedia article on Alabama Southern RR HERE