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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number    1-4717

KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN

(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)

Company’s telephone number, including area code    (816) 983-1303

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:    None

Indicate by check mark whether the Company (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Company’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Company is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2)  YES  x    NO  ¨

Company Stock.    The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KSU.” As of June 30, 2003, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Company was approximately $742 million (amount computed based on closing prices of common stock on New York Stock Exchange). As of February 27, 2004, 62,633,808 shares of common stock and 242,170 shares of voting preferred stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the following documents are incorporated herein by reference into Part of the Form 10-K as indicated:

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KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN

2003 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

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Part I

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Kansas City Southern (“KCS” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a holding company with principal operations in rail transportation.

KCS, along with its subsidiaries and affiliates, owns and operates a uniquely positioned North American rail network strategically focused on the growing north/south freight corridor that connects key commercial and industrial markets in the central United States with major industrial cities in Mexico. The Company’s principal subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (“KCSR”), which was founded in 1887, is one of seven Class I railroads in the United States (railroads with annual revenues of at least $272 million, as indexed for inflation). KCSR serves a ten-state region in the midwest and southern parts of the United States and has the shortest north/south rail route between Kansas City, Missouri and several key ports along the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

The Company’s rail network also includes an equity investment in Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (“Grupo TFM”), a 46.6% owned unconsolidated affiliate, which owns 80% of the stock of TFM, S.A. de C.V. (“TFM”). TFM operates a strategically significant corridor between Mexico and the United States, and has as its core route a key portion of the shortest, most direct rail passageway between Mexico City and Laredo, Texas. TFM serves most of Mexico’s principal industrial cities and three of its major shipping ports. TFM’s rail lines are the only ones which serve Nuevo Laredo, the largest rail freight exchange point between the United States and Mexico.

TFM wholly-owns Mexrail, Inc. (“Mexrail”). Mexrail owns 100% of The Texas-Mexican Railway Company (“Tex-Mex”). Tex-Mex operates a 157-mile rail line extending from Laredo to the port city of Corpus Christi, Texas and connects the operations of KCSR with TFM. Tex-Mex connects with TFM at Laredo and connects to KCSR through trackage rights at Beaumont, Texas. TFM, through its concession with the Mexican government, has the right to control and operate the southern half of the rail-bridge at Laredo and, indirectly through its ownership of Mexrail, owns the northern half of the rail-bridge at Laredo, which spans the Rio Grande River between the United States and Mexico. Laredo is a principal international gateway through which more than 50% of all rail and truck traffic between the United States and Mexico crosses the border.

Together, the Company’s rail network (KCSR, and equitable interests in TFM and Tex-Mex) comprises approximately 6,000 miles of main and branch lines extending from the midwest portions of the United States south into Mexico. Additionally, through a strategic alliance with Canadian National Railway Company (“CN”) and Illinois Central Corporation (“IC” and together with CN, “CN/IC”), the Company has access to a contiguous rail network of approximately 25,000 miles of main and branch lines connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico. The CN/IC alliance connects Canadian markets with major midwestern and southern markets in the United States as well as with major markets in Mexico through KCSR’s connections with Tex-Mex and TFM. Management believes that, as a result of the strategic position of our rail network, the Company is poised to continue to benefit from the growing north/south trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada promoted by the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).

KCS’s rail network is further expanded through marketing agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway Company (“Norfolk Southern”), The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (“BNSF”) and the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corporation (“IC&E” – formerly I&M Rail Link, LLC). Marketing agreements with Norfolk Southern allow the Company to capitalize on its east/west route from Meridian, Mississippi to Dallas, Texas (“Meridian Speedway”) to gain incremental traffic volume between the southeast and the southwest. The marketing alliance with BNSF was developed to promote cooperation, revenue growth and extend market reach for both railroads in the United States and Canada. It is also designed to improve

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operating efficiencies for both KCSR and BNSF in key market areas, as well as provide customers with expanded service options. KCSR’s marketing agreement with IC&E provides access to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois and to the origination of corn and other grain traffic in Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois.

The Company’s rail network interconnects with all other Class I railroads and provides shippers with an effective alternative to other railroad routes, giving direct access to Mexico and the southeastern and southwestern United States through less congested interchange hubs.

The Company also owns 50% of the common stock (or a 42% equity interest) of the Panama Canal Railway Company (“PCRC”), which holds the concession to operate a 47-mile coast-to-coast railroad located adjacent to the Panama Canal. The railroad handles containers in freight service across the isthmus. Panarail Tourism Company (“Panarail”), a wholly owned subsidiary of PCRC, operates a commuter and tourist railway service over the lines of the Panama Canal Railway. Passenger and freight service commenced during 2001.

Other subsidiaries and affiliates of KCS include the following:

KCS was organized in 1962 as Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. and in 2002 formally changed its name to Kansas City Southern. KCS, as the holding company, supplies its various subsidiaries with managerial, legal, tax, financial and accounting services, in addition to managing other minor “non-operating” investments.

The information set forth in response to Item 101 of Regulation S-K under Part II Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference in partial response to this Item 1.

RAIL NETWORK

Owned Network

KCSR owns and operates approximately 3,100 miles of main and branch lines and 1,250 miles of other tracks in a ten-state region that includes Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas and Illinois. KCSR has the shortest north/south rail route between Kansas City and several key ports along the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. KCSR’s rail route also serves the Meridian Speedway and the east/west route linking Kansas City with East St. Louis, Illinois and Springfield, Illinois. In addition, KCSR has limited haulage rights between Springfield and Chicago that allow for originating or terminating shipments on the rail lines of the former Gateway Western Railway Company (“Gateway Western”). These lines also provide access to East St. Louis and allow rail traffic to avoid the St. Louis, Missouri terminal. The geographic reach of KCSR enables service to a customer base that includes electric generating utilities, which use coal, and a wide range of companies in the chemical and petroleum, agricultural and mineral, paper and forest products, and automotive and intermodal markets.

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Eastern railroads and their customers can use the Company’s rail network to bypass the gateways at Chicago; St. Louis; Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans by interchanging with KCSR at Springfield and East St. Louis and at Meridian and Jackson, Mississippi. Other railroads can also interconnect with the Company’s rail network via other gateways at Kansas City; Birmingham, Alabama; Shreveport and New Orleans, Louisiana; and Dallas, Beaumont and Laredo, Texas.

KCSR revenues and net income are dependent on providing reliable service to customers at competitive rates, the general economic conditions in the geographic region served and the ability to effectively compete against other rail carriers and alternative modes of surface transportation, such as over-the-road truck transportation. The ability of KCSR to construct and maintain the roadway in order to provide safe and efficient transportation service is important to its ongoing viability as a rail carrier. Additionally, cost containment is important in maintaining a competitive market position, particularly with respect to employee costs, as approximately 84% of KCSR employees are covered under various collective bargaining agreements.

Significant Investments

Grupo TFM

In December 1995, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Transportacion Maritima Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (“TMM”) to, among other things, provide for participation in the privatization of the Mexican national railway system and to promote the movement of rail traffic over Tex-Mex, TFM and KCSR. Pursuant to written notice given by TMM’s successor, Grupo TMM, S.A., and in accordance with its terms, the joint venture agreement terminated on December 1, 2003. In 1997, the Company invested $298 million to obtain a 36.9% interest in Grupo TFM, the company formed by KCS and TMM under the joint venture agreement for the purpose of participating in the privatization of the Mexican national railway system. At the time Grupo TFM purchased 80% of the shares of TFM, TMM, the largest shareholder of Grupo TFM, owned 38.5% of Grupo TFM and the Mexican government owned the remaining 24.6%. In 2002, KCS and Grupo TMM exercised their call option on the Mexican government’s Grupo TFM shares and, on July 29, 2002, TFM completed the purchase of the Mexican government’s 24.6% ownership of Grupo TFM. The $256.1 million purchase price was funded utilizing a combination of proceeds from an offering of debt securities by TFM, a credit from the Mexican government for the reversion of certain rail facilities and other resources. This transaction increased the Company’s ownership percentage of Grupo TFM from 36.9% to approximately 46.6%. Grupo TFM owns 80% of the stock of TFM (all of which shares are entitled to full voting rights) while the remaining 20% of TFM (with limited voting rights) is owned by the Mexican government.

TFM holds the concession, which was awarded by the Mexican government in 1996, to operate Mexico’s Northeast Rail Lines (the “Concession”; the Northeast Rail Lines are now known as “TFM”) for 50 years ending in June 2047. Subject to certain conditions, TFM has an option to extend the Concession for an additional 50 years. The Concession is subject to certain mandatory trackage rights and is exclusive until 2027. The Mexican government, however, may revoke TFM’s exclusivity after 2017 if it determines that there is insufficient competition and may terminate the Concession as a result of certain conditions or events, including (1) TFM’s failure to meet its operating and financial obligations with regard to the Concession under applicable Mexican law, (2) a statutory appropriation by the Mexican government for reasons of public interest and (3) liquidation or bankruptcy of TFM. TFM’s assets and its rights under the Concession may, under certain circumstances such as natural disaster, war or other similar situations, also be seized temporarily by the Mexican government.

Under the Concession, TFM operates a strategically significant corridor between Mexico and the United States, and has as its core route a key portion of the shortest, most direct rail passageway between Mexico City and Laredo. TFM’s rail lines are the only ones which serve Nuevo Laredo, the largest rail freight exchange point between the United States and Mexico. TFM’s rail lines connect the most populated and industrialized regions of Mexico with Mexico’s principal U.S. border railway gateway at Laredo. In addition, TFM serves three of Mexico’s primary seaports at Veracruz and Tampico on the Gulf of Mexico and Lazaro Cardenas on the Pacific

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Ocean. TFM serves 15 Mexican states and Mexico City, which together represent a majority of the country’s population and account for a majority of its estimated gross domestic product. KCS management believes the Laredo gateway is the most important interchange point for rail freight between the United States and Mexico. As a result, KCS management believes that TFM’s routes are an integral part of Mexico’s foreign trade infrastructure.

This route structure enables the Company to benefit from growing trade resulting from the increasing integration of the North American economy through NAFTA. Through Tex-Mex and KCSR, as well as through interchanges with other major U.S. railroads, TFM provides its customers with access to an extensive rail network through which they may distribute their products throughout North America and overseas.

TFM operates approximately 2,650 miles of main and branch lines and certain additional sidings, spur tracks and main line tracks under trackage rights. TFM has the right to operate the rail lines through the Concession, but does not own the land, roadway or associated structures.

TFM, including its indirect ownership of Tex-Mex, is both a strategic and financial investment for KCS. Strategically, the Company’s investment in TFM promotes the NAFTA growth strategy, whereby KCS and its strategic partners can provide transportation services between the heart of Mexico’s industrial base, the United States and Canada. TFM seeks to establish its railroad as the primary inland freight transporter linking Mexico with the U.S. and Canadian markets along the NAFTA corridor. TFM’s strategy is to provide reliable customer service, capitalize on foreign trade growth and convert truck tonnage to rail.

KCS management believes TFM is an excellent long-term financial investment. TFM’s operating strategy has been to increase productivity and maximize operating efficiencies. With Mexico’s economic progress, growth of NAFTA trade between Mexico, the United States and Canada, and customer focused rail service, KCS management believes that the growth potential of TFM could be significant.

As further described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Developments—Proposed Acquisition of Grupo TFM from Grupo TMM”, on April 20, 2003, the Company entered into an agreement with Grupo TMM and other parties (“Acquisition Agreement”) under which KCS ultimately would acquire control of TFM through the purchase of shares of common stock of Grupo TFM (“Acquisition”). The obligations of KCS and Grupo TMM to complete the Acquisition are subject to a number of conditions. Grupo TMM and KCS are currently in dispute over Grupo TMM’s attempt to terminate the Acquisition Agreement. This dispute could adversely affect TFM’s operations and business.

On January 21, 2004, Moody’s Investors Service, or Moody’s, announced that it had placed the B1 senior unsecured debt rating of TFM under review for possible downgrade. Moody’s announced that, as part of the current review, it will consider the implications of these issues—the Grupo TMM/KCS dispute, the value and rights for the VAT reimbursement, and the obligations under the Mexican government’s put of TFM shares.

On February 26, 2004, Grupo TMM announced that during the fourth quarter of 2003, TFM failed to meet certain financial covenant ratios under its term loan facility and its commercial paper program. The press release stated that TFM was negotiating with its lenders on amendments to these credit agreements, which would retroactively amend the covenants and would effectively cure the defaults, and that TFM is also in the process of refinancing its commercial paper program to extend the maturity date to 2006. On March 11, 2004, Grupo TFM announced that effective March 10, 2004, it had received a waiver from the banks that participate in the term loan facility and commercial paper program and that it was waived from the financial covenants for the three months ended December 31, 2003 and for the period from January 1, 2004 through May 11, 2004.

The Mexican government has the right to compel the purchase of its 20% interest in TFM (referred to as the “Put”) by Grupo TFM following notification by the Mexican government in accordance with the terms of the

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applicable agreements. Upon exercise of the Put, Grupo TFM would be obligated to purchase the TFM capital stock at the initial share price paid by Grupo TFM adjusted for interest and inflation. Prior to October 30, 2003, Grupo TFM filed suit in the Federal District Court of Mexico City seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment interpreting whether Grupo TFM was obligated to honor its obligation under the Put agreement, as the Mexican government had not made any effort to sell the TFM shares subject to the Put prior to October 31, 2003. In its suit, Grupo TFM named Grupo TMM and KCS as additional interested parties. The Mexican Court has admitted Grupo TFM’s complaint and issued an injunction that would, following the posting of a bond by Grupo TFM, block the Mexican government from exercising the Put. The Mexican government provided Grupo TFM with notice of its intention to sell its interest in TFM on October 30, 2003. Grupo TFM has responded to the Mexican government’s notice reaffirming its right and interest in purchasing the Mexican government’s remaining interest in TFM, but also advising the Mexican government that it would not take any action until its lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment was resolved. In the event that Grupo TFM does not purchase the Mexican government’s 20% interest in TFM, Grupo TMM and KCS, or either of Grupo TMM or KCS alone, would, following notification by the Mexican government in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements, be obligated to purchase the Mexican government’s remaining interest in TFM. As this matter is currently the subject of litigation in Mexico to which the Mexican government, Grupo TFM, Grupo TMM and KCS are parties, KCS management does not believe it is likely that the Mexican government will seek to exercise the Put until the litigation is resolved. Based upon public disclosures made by Grupo TMM, it is not in a position to make this purchase. Following the resolution of the lawsuit in Mexico, should Grupo TFM fail to purchase the Mexican government’s TFM shares in accordance with the terms of the Put, then the Mexican government has the right to put all the shares of TFM to KCS. In such an event, KCS would have the right, but not the obligation, to put 51% of the shares purchased by KCS to Grupo TMM. However, there can be no assurance that Grupo TMM would have the financial resources necessary to purchase those shares. If the Acquisition is completed, KCS will be solely responsible for purchasing the Mexican government’s 20% interest in TFM. If KCS had been required to purchase this interest as of December 31, 2003, the total purchase price would have been approximately $467.7 million.

The original term of the Grupo TFM joint venture agreement was renewed for a term of three years on December 1, 2000. Pursuant to written notice given by Grupo TMM, and in accordance with its terms, the joint venture agreement terminated on December 1, 2003. The joint venture did not have any material assets and management believes that the termination of the joint venture agreement will not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its interest in Grupo TFM.

The shareholders agreement dated May 1997 between KCS and Grupo TMM and certain affiliates, which governs the Company’s investment in Grupo TFM (1) restricts each of the parties to the shareholders agreement from directly or indirectly transferring any interest in Grupo TFM or TFM to a competitor of Grupo TFM, TFM or the parties without the prior written consent of each of the parties, and (2) provides that KCS and Grupo TMM may not transfer control of any subsidiary holding all or any portion of shares of Grupo TFM to a third party, other than an affiliate of the transferring party or another party to the shareholders agreement, without the consent of the other parties to the shareholders agreement. The Grupo TFM bylaws prohibit any transfer of shares of Grupo TFM to any person other than an affiliate of the existing shareholders without the prior consent of Grupo TFM’s board of directors. In addition, the Grupo TFM bylaws grant the shareholders of Grupo TFM a right of first refusal to acquire shares to be transferred by any other shareholder in proportion to the number of shares held by each non-transferring shareholder, although holders of preferred shares or shares with special or limited rights are only entitled to acquire those shares and not ordinary shares. The shareholders agreement requires that the boards of directors of Grupo TFM and TFM be constituted to reflect the parties’ relative ownership of the ordinary voting common stock of Grupo TFM.

Tex-Mex

On February 27, 2002, the Company, Grupo TMM, and certain of Grupo TMM’s affiliates entered into a stock purchase agreement with TFM to sell to TFM all of the common stock of Mexrail. The sale closed on March 27, 2002 and the Company received approximately $31.4 million for its 49% interest in Mexrail. The

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Company used the proceeds from the sale of Mexrail to reduce debt. Although the Company no longer directly owns 49% of Mexrail, it retains an indirect ownership through its 46.6% ownership of Grupo TFM. Under the stock purchase agreement, KCS retained rights to prevent further sale or transfer of the stock or significant assets of Mexrail and Tex-Mex and the right to continue to participate in the corporate governance of Mexrail and Tex-Mex, which will remain U.S. corporations and subject to the Company’s super majority rights contained in Grupo TFM’s bylaws.

Tex-Mex connects to KCSR through trackage rights over the rail lines of the Union Pacific Railroad Company (“UP”) between Robstown, Texas and Beaumont. These trackage rights were granted pursuant to a 1996 Surface Transportation Board (“STB”) decision and have an initial term of 99 years. Tex-Mex provides a vital link between the Company’s U.S. operations through KCSR and its Mexican operations through TFM.

On March 12, 2001, Tex-Mex purchased from UP a line of railroad right-of-way extending 84.5 miles between Rosenberg, Texas and Victoria, Texas, and granted Tex-Mex trackage rights sufficient to integrate the line into the existing trackage rights. The line is not in service and will require extensive reconstruction, which has not yet been scheduled. The purchase price for the line of $9.2 million was determined through arbitration and the acquisition also required the prior approval or exemption of the transaction by the STB. By its Order entered on December 8, 2000, the STB granted Tex-Mex’s Petition for Exemption and exempted the transaction from this prior approval requirement. Once reconstruction of the line is completed, Tex-Mex will be able to shorten its existing route between Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas by over 70 miles.

Panama Canal Railway Company

In January 1998, the Republic of Panama awarded PCRC, a joint venture company formed by KCSR and Mi-Jack Products, Inc. (“Mi-Jack”), the concession to reconstruct and operate the Panama Canal Railway, a 47-mile railroad located adjacent to the Panama Canal that provides international shippers with a railway transportation option to complement the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Railway, which traces its origins back to the mid-1800’s, is a north-south railroad traversing the Panama isthmus between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The railroad has been reconstructed and it resumed freight operations in December 2001. KCS management believes the prime potential and opportunity for this railroad to be in the movement of container traffic between the ports of Balboa and Colon for shipping customers repositioning such containers. The Panama Canal Railway has significant interest from both shipping companies and port terminal operators. In addition, there is demand for passenger traffic for both commuter and pleasure/tourist travel. Panarail operates and promotes commuter and tourist passenger service over the Panama Canal Railway. Passenger service started during July 2001. While only 47 miles long, KCS management believes the Panama Canal Railway provides the Company with a unique opportunity to participate in transoceanic shipments as a complement to the existing Panama Canal traffic.

As of December 31, 2003, the Company has invested approximately $21.0 million toward the reconstruction and operations of the Panama Canal Railway. This investment is comprised of $12.9 million of equity and $8.1 million of subordinated loans. These loans carry a 10% interest rate and are payable on demand, subject to certain restrictions.

In November 1999, PCRC completed the financing for the reconstruction project with the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), a member of the World Bank Group. The financing was comprised of a $5 million investment by the IFC and senior loans through the IFC in an aggregate amount of up to $45 million. Additionally, PCRC has $3.4 million of equipment loans and other capital leases totaling $3.0 million. The IFC’s investment of $5 million in PCRC is comprised of non-voting preferred shares which pay a 10% cumulative dividend. As of December 31, 2003, PCRC has recorded a $2.0 million liability for these cumulative preferred dividends. The preferred shares may be redeemed at the IFC’s option any year after 2008 at the lower of (1) a net

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cumulative internal rate of return of 30% or (2) eight times earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization for the two years preceding the redemption that is proportionate to the IFC’s percentage ownership in PCRC. Under the terms of the loan agreement with IFC, the Company is a guarantor for up to $5.6 million of the associated debt. Also if PCRC terminates the concession contract without the IFC’s consent, the Company is a guarantor for up to 50% of the outstanding senior loans. The Company is also a guarantor for up to $1.8 million of the equipment loans and approximately $100,000 relating to other capital leases. The cost of the reconstruction totaled approximately $80 million. The Company expects to loan an additional $3.5 million to PCRC during 2004 under the same terms as the existing $8.1 million subordinated loans.

Southern Capital

In 1996, KCSR and GATX Capital Corporation (“GATX”) formed a 50-50 joint venture—Southern Capital—to perform certain leasing and financing activities. Southern Capital’s operations are comprised of the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock and other rail equipment and the leasing thereof to KCSR. Concurrent with the formation of this joint venture, KCSR entered into operating leases with Southern Capital for substantially all the locomotives and rolling stock that KCSR contributed or sold to Southern Capital at the time of formation of the joint venture. GATX contributed cash in the joint venture transaction formation.

The purpose for the formation of Southern Capital was to partner a Class I railroad in KCSR with an industry leader in the rail equipment financing in GATX. Southern Capital provides the Company with access to equipment financing alternatives.

Expanded Network

Through its strategic alliance with CN/IC and marketing agreements with Norfolk Southern, BNSF and the IC&E, the Company has expanded the domestic geographic reach beyond that covered by its owned network.

Strategic Alliance with Canadian National and Illinois Central.

In 1998, KCSR, CN and IC entered into a 15-year strategic alliance to coordinate the marketing, operations and investment elements of north-south rail freight transportation. The strategic alliance did not require STB approval and was effective immediately. This alliance connects Canadian markets, the major Midwest U.S. markets of Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis and the key southern markets of Memphis, Dallas and Houston. It also provides U.S. and Canadian shippers with access to Mexico’s rail system through connections with Tex-Mex and TFM.

In addition to providing access to key north-south international and domestic U.S. traffic corridors, the alliance with CN/IC is intended to increase business primarily in the automotive and intermodal markets, the grain market, the chemical and petroleum market and the paper and forest products markets. This alliance has provided opportunities for revenue growth and positioned the Company as a key provider of rail service for NAFTA trade.

KCSR and CN formed a management group made up of senior management representatives from both railroads to, among other things, guide the realization of the alliance goals, and to develop plans for the construction of new facilities to support business development, including investments in automotive, intermodal and transload facilities at Memphis, Dallas, Kansas City and Chicago.

Under a separate agreement, KCSR was granted certain trackage and haulage rights and CN and IC were granted certain haulage rights. Under the terms of this agreement, and through action taken by the STB, in 2000 KCSR gained access to six additional chemical customers in the Geismar, Louisiana industrial area through haulage rights.

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Marketing Agreements with Norfolk Southern.

In December 1997, KCSR entered into a three-year marketing agreement with Norfolk Southern and Tex-Mex that allows KCSR to increase its traffic volume along the east-west corridor between Meridian and Dallas by using interchange points with Norfolk Southern. This agreement provides Norfolk Southern run-through service with access to Dallas and the Mexican border at Laredo while avoiding the rail gateways of Memphis and New Orleans. This agreement was renewed in December 2003 for a term of three years and will be automatically renewed for additional three-year terms unless written notice of termination is given at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term.

In May 2000, KCSR entered into an additional marketing agreement with Norfolk Southern under which KCSR provides haulage services for intermodal traffic between Meridian and Dallas in exchange for fees from Norfolk Southern. Under this agreement Norfolk Southern may quote rates and enter into transportation service contracts with shippers and receivers covering this haulage traffic. This agreement terminates on December 31, 2006 and provides KCSR with additional sources of intermodal business. Under the current arrangement, trains run between KCSR’s connection with Norfolk Southern at Meridian and the BNSF connection at Dallas. The structure of the agreement provides for lower gross revenue to KCSR, but improved operating income since, as a haulage arrangement, locomotives, locomotive fuel and car hire expenses are the responsibility of Norfolk Southern, not KCSR. Management believes this business has additional growth potential as Norfolk Southern may seek to shift its traffic to southern gateways to increase its length of haul.

Marketing Alliance with BNSF

In April 2002, KCSR and BNSF formed a comprehensive joint marketing alliance aimed at promoting cooperation, revenue growth and extending market reach for both railroads in the United States and Canada. The marketing alliance was also designed to improve operating efficiencies for both carriers in key market areas, as well as provide customers with expanded service options. KCSR and BNSF have agreed to coordinate marketing and operational initiatives in a number of target markets. The marketing alliance allows the two railroads to be more responsive to shippers’ requests for rates and service throughout the two rail networks. Coal and unit train operations are excluded from the marketing alliance, as well as any points where KCSR and BNSF are the only direct rail competitors. Movements to and from Mexico by either party are also excluded. Management believes this marketing alliance provides important opportunities to grow KCSR’s revenue base, particularly in the chemical, grain and forest product markets, and provides participants with expanded access to important markets and shippers with enhanced options and competitive alternatives.

Marketing Agreement with IC&E.

In May 1997, KCSR entered into a marketing agreement with I&M Rail Link, now known as IC&E. This marketing agreement provides KCSR with access to Minneapolis and Chicago and to the origination of corn and other grain traffic in Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. Through this marketing agreement, KCSR receives and originates shipments of grain products for delivery to poultry industry feed mills on its network. Grain is currently KCSR’s largest export into Mexico. This agreement is terminable upon 90 days notice. Management believes this agreement provides IC&E with an important channel of distribution over our rail network versus other railroads.

Haulage Rights.

As a result of the 1988 acquisition of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad by UP, KCSR was granted (1) haulage rights between Kansas City and each of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska and Atchison and Topeka, Kansas, and (2) a joint rate agreement for our grain traffic between Beaumont and each of Houston and Galveston, Texas. KCSR has the right to convert these haulage rights to trackage rights. KCSR’s haulage rights require UP to move KCSR traffic in UP trains; trackage rights would allow KCSR to operate its trains over UP tracks. These rights have a term of 199 years. In addition, KCSR has limited haulage rights between Springfield and Chicago that allow for shipments that originate or terminate on the former Gateway Western’s rail lines.

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Markets Served

Chemical and Petroleum

Chemical and petroleum products accounted for approximately 21.5% of KCSR revenues in 2003. KCSR transports chemical and petroleum products via tank and hopper cars primarily to markets in the southeast and northeast United States through interchanges with other rail carriers. Primary traffic includes plastics, petroleum and oils, petroleum coke, rubber, and miscellaneous chemicals. KCSR’s access to six additional chemical customers in the Geismar, Louisiana industrial corridor has resulted in additional revenue for KCSR and management believes it could provide future competitive opportunities for revenue growth as existing contracts with other rail carriers expire for these customers.

Paper and Forest Products

Paper and forest products accounted for approximately 25.4% of 2003 KCSR revenues. The Company’s rail lines run through the heart of the southeastern U.S. timber-producing region. Management believes that forest products made from trees in this region are generally less expensive than those from other regions due to lower production costs. As a result, southern yellow pine products from the southeast are increasingly being used at the expense of western producers who have experienced capacity reductions because of public policy considerations. KCSR serves eleven paper mills directly and six others indirectly through short-line connections. Primary traffic includes pulp and paper, lumber, panel products (plywood and oriented strand board), engineered wood products, pulpwood, woodchips, raw fiber used in the production of paper, pulp and paperboard, as well as metal, scrap and slab steel, waste and military equipment. Slab steel products are used primarily in the manufacture of drill pipe for the oil industry, and military equipment is shipped to and from several military bases on the Company’s rail lines.

Agricultural and Mineral

Agricultural and mineral products accounted for approximately 18.9% of KCSR revenues in 2003. Agricultural products consist of domestic and export grain, food and related products. Shipper demand for agricultural products is affected by competition among sources of grain and grain products as well as price fluctuations in international markets for key commodities. In the domestic grain business, the Company’s rail lines receive and originate shipments of grain and grain products for delivery to feed mills serving the poultry industry. Through the marketing agreement with IC&E, the Company’s rail lines have access to sources of corn and other grain in Iowa and other Midwestern states. KCSR currently serves 35 feed mills along its rail lines throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Export grain shipments include primarily wheat, soybeans and corn transported to the Gulf of Mexico for overseas destinations and to Mexico via Laredo. Over the long term, grain shipments are expected to increase as a result of the Company’s strategic investments in Tex-Mex and TFM, given Mexico’s reliance on grain imports. Food and related products consist mainly of soybean meal, grain meal, oils and canned goods, sugar and beer. Mineral shipments consist of a variety of products including ores, clay, stone and cement.

Intermodal and Automotive

Intermodal and automotive products accounted for approximately 10.3% of 2003 KCSR revenues. The intermodal freight business consists primarily of hauling freight containers or truck trailers by a combination of water, rail and motor carriers, with rail carriers serving as the link between the other modes of transportation. The Company’s intermodal business has grown significantly over the last ten years with intermodal units increasing from 61,748 in 1993 to 303,507 in 2003 and intermodal revenues increasing from $17 million to $53 million during the same period. Through our dedicated intermodal train service between Meridian and Dallas, the Company competes directly with truck carriers along the Interstate 20 corridor.

The intermodal business is highly price and service driven as the trucking industry maintains certain competitive advantages over the rail industry. Trucks are not obligated to provide or maintain rights of way and do not have to pay real estate taxes on their routes. In prior years, the trucking industry diverted a substantial

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amount of freight from railroads as truck operators’ efficiency over long distances increased. In response to these competitive pressures, railroad industry management sought avenues to improve the competitiveness of rail traffic and forged numerous alliances with truck companies in order to move more traffic by rail and provide faster, safer and more efficient service to their customers. KCSR has entered into agreements with several trucking companies for train service in several corridors, but those services are concentrated between Dallas and Meridian.

The strategic alliance with CN/IC and marketing agreements with Norfolk Southern provide the Company the opportunity to further capitalize on the growth potential of intermodal freight revenues, particularly for traffic moving between points in the upper Midwest and Canada to Kansas City, Dallas and Mexico. Furthermore, the Company is developing the former Richards-Gebaur Airbase in Kansas City as a U.S. customs pre-clearance processing facility, the Kansas City International Freight Gateway (“IFG”), which, when at full capacity, is expected to handle and process large volumes of domestic and international intermodal freight. Through an agreement with Mazda through the Ford Motor Company’s Claycomo manufacturing facility located in Kansas City, KCSR has developed an automotive loading and distribution facility at IFG. This loading and distribution facility became operational in April 2000 for the movement of Mazda vehicles. During 2003, the IFG served Ford through the loading and delivery of its new F-150 truck. Management believes that, as additional opportunities arise, the IFG facility will be expanded to include additional automotive and intermodal operations.

The Company’s automotive traffic consists primarily of vehicle parts moving into Mexico from the northern sections of the United States and finished vehicles moving from Mexico into the United States. CN/IC, Norfolk Southern and TFM have a number of automotive production facilities on their rail lines. The Company’s rail network essentially serves as the connecting bridge carrier for these movements of automotive parts and finished vehicles.

Coal

Coal historically has been one of the most stable sources of revenues and is the largest single commodity handled by KCSR. In 2003, coal revenues represented 16.1% of total KCSR revenues. Substantially all coal customers are under long term contracts, which typically have an average contract term of approximately five years. KCSR’s most significant customer is Southwestern Electric Power Company (“SWEPCO”- a subsidiary of American Electric Power, Inc.), which is under contract through 2006. The Company, directly or indirectly, delivers coal to eight electric generating plants, including the Flint Creek, Arkansas and Welsh, Texas facilities of SWEPCO, Kansas City Power and Light plants in Kansas City and Amsterdam, Missouri, an Empire District Electric Company plant near Joplin, Missouri and an Entergy Gulf States plant in Mossville, Louisiana. KCSR transports coal that originates in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and is transferred to KCSR’s rail lines at Kansas City. KCSR serves as a bridge carrier for coal deliveries to a Texas Utilities electric generating plant in Martin Lake, Texas. In addition, KCSR delivers lignite to an electric generating plant at Monticello, Texas. SWEPCO comprised approximately 61.7% of KCSR total coal revenues and 9.8% of KCS consolidated revenues in 2003.

Other

Other rail-related revenues include a variety of miscellaneous services provided to customers and interconnecting carriers and accounted for approximately 7.8% of total KCSR revenues in 2003. Major items in this category include railcar switching services, demurrage (car retention penalties) and drayage (local truck transportation services). This category also includes haulage services performed for the benefit of BNSF under an agreement that continues through 2004 and includes minimum volume commitments.

Railroad Industry

Overview

U.S. railroad companies are categorized by the STB into three types: Class I, Class II (Regional) and Class III (Local). Currently, there are seven Class I railroads in the United States, which can be further divided

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geographically by eastern or western classification. The eastern railroads are CSX Corporation (“CSX”), Grand Trunk Corporation (which is owned by CN and includes IC and Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation – “Wisconsin Central”) and Norfolk Southern. The western railroads include BNSF, KCSR, Soo Line Railroad Company (owned by Canadian Pacific Railway Company (“CP”)) and UP.

The STB and Regulation

The STB, an independent body administratively housed within the Department of Transportation, is responsible for the economic regulation of railroads within the United States. The STB’s mission is to ensure that competitive, efficient and safe transportation services are provided to meet the needs of shippers, receivers and consumers. The STB was created by an Act of Congress known as the ICC Termination Act of 1995 (“ICCTA”). Passage of the ICCTA represented a further step in the process of streamlining and reforming the Federal economic regulatory oversight of the railroad, trucking and bus industries that was initiated in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The STB is authorized to have three members, each with a five-year term of office. The STB Chairman is designated by the President of the United States from among the STB’s members. The STB adjudicates disputes and regulates interstate surface transportation. Railway transportation matters under the STB’s jurisdiction in general include railroad rate and service issues, rail restructuring transactions (mergers, line sales, line construction and line abandonment) and railroad labor matters.

The U.S. railroad industry was significantly deregulated with the passage of The Staggers Rail Act of 1980 (the “Staggers Act”). In enacting the Staggers Act, Congress recognized that railroads faced intense competition from trucks and other modes of transportation for most freight traffic and that prevailing regulation prevented them from earning adequate revenues and competing effectively. Through the Staggers Act, a new regulatory scheme allowing railroads to establish their own routes, tailor their rates to market conditions and differentiate rates on the basis of demand was put in place. The basic principle of the Staggers Act was that reasonable rail rates should be a function of supply and demand. The Staggers Act, among others things:

If it is determined that a railroad is not facing enough competition to hold down prices, the STB has the authority to investigate the actions of the railroad.

The Staggers Act has had a positive effect on the U.S. rail industry, competition, and savings to consumers. Lower rail rates brought about by the Staggers Act have resulted in significant cost savings for shippers and their customers. After decades of steady decline, the rail market share of inter-city freight ton-miles bottomed out at 35.2% in 1978 and has trended slowly upward since then, reaching 41.7% in 2001.

Railroad Consolidation

On June 11, 2001, the STB issued new rules governing major railroad mergers and consolidations involving two or more “Class I” railroads. These rules substantially increase the burden on rail merger applicants to demonstrate that a proposed transaction would be in the public interest. The rules require applicants to demonstrate that, among other things, a proposed transaction would enhance competition where necessary to offset negative effects of the transaction, such as competitive harm, and to address fully the impact of the transaction on transportation service.

The STB recognized, however, that a merger between KCSR and another Class I carrier would not necessarily raise the same concerns and risks as potential mergers between larger Class I railroads. Accordingly, the STB decided that for a merger proposal involving KCSR and another Class I railroad, the STB will waive the application of the new rules and apply the rules previously in effect unless it is persuaded that the new rules should apply.

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Competition

The Company’s rail operations compete against other railroads, many of which are much larger and have significantly greater financial and other resources. Since 1994, there has been significant consolidation among major North American rail carriers, including the 1995 merger of Burlington Northern, Inc. and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation (“BN/SF”, collectively “BNSF”), the 1995 merger of the UP and the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company (“UP/CNW”) and the 1996 merger of UP with Southern Pacific Corporation (“UP/SP”). Further, Norfolk Southern and CSX purchased the assets of Consolidated Rail Corporation (“Conrail”) in 1998 and the CN acquired the IC in June 1999. Most recently, in October 2001 CN completed its acquisition of Wisconsin Central. As a result of this consolidation, the railroad industry is now dominated by a few “mega-carriers.” KCS management believes that its revenues were negatively affected by the UP/CNW, UP/SP and BN/SF mergers, which led to diversions of rail traffic away from KCSR’s rail lines. Management regards the larger western railroads (BNSF and UP), in particular, as significant competitors to the Company’s operations and prospects because of their substantial resources. The ongoing impact of these mergers is uncertain. KCS management believes, however, that because of the Company’s investments and strategic alliances, it is positioned to attract additional rail traffic through our NAFTA rail network.

The Company is subject to competition from motor carriers, barge lines, and other maritime shipping, which compete across certain routes in its operating area. Truck carriers have eroded the railroad industry’s share of total transportation revenues. Changing regulations, subsidized highway improvement programs and favorable labor regulations have improved the competitive position of trucks in the United States as an alternative mode of surface transportation for many commodities. In the United States, the trucking industry generally is more cost and transit-time competitive than railroads for short-haul distances. In addition, Mississippi and Missouri River barge traffic, among others, compete with KCSR and its rail connections in the transportation of bulk commodities such as grains, steel and petroleum products. Intermodal traffic and certain other traffic face highly price sensitive competition, particularly from motor carriers. However, rail carriers, including KCSR, have placed an emphasis on competing in the intermodal marketplace and working together with motor carriers and each other to provide end-to-end transportation of products.

While deregulation of freight rates has enhanced the ability of railroads to compete with each other and with alternative modes of transportation, this increased competition has resulted in downward pressure on freight rates. Competition with other railroads and other modes of transportation is generally based on the rates charged, the quality and reliability of the service provided and the quality of the carrier’s equipment for certain commodities.

Employees and Labor Relations

As of December 31, 2003, KCS and its subsidiaries had approximately 2,670 employees.

Labor relations in the U.S. railroad industry are subject to extensive governmental regulation under the Railway Labor Act (“RLA”). Under the RLA, national labor agreements are renegotiated when they become open for modification, but their terms remain in effect until new agreements are reached. Typically, neither management nor labor employees are permitted to take economic action until extended procedures are exhausted.

Approximately 84% of KCSR employees are covered under various collective bargaining agreements. In 1996, national labor contracts governing KCSR were negotiated with all major railroad unions, including the United Transportation Union (“UTU”), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (“BLE”), the Transportation Communications International Union (“TCU”), the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (“BMWE”), and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Existing national union contracts with the railroads became amendable at the end of 1999. In August 2002, a new labor contract was reached with the UTU. The provisions of this agreement include the use of remote control locomotives in and around terminals and retroactive application of wage increases back to July 1, 2002. Also, a new labor contract was reached with

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the TCU in 2002 and signed during 2003. A new labor contract was reached with the BMWE effective May 2001 and a formal agreement with the BLE was reached during 2003. In some cases, the wage increase elements of these new agreements have retroactive application. The provisions of the various labor agreements generally include periodic general wage increases, lump-sum payments to workers and greater work rule flexibility, among other provisions. Additionally, these agreements include provisions that employees under these contracts make contributions to cover a portion of the health and welfare costs. Currently, approximately 90% of all KCS unionized employees are governed under current contracts. Formal negotiations to enter into agreements are in progress with the remaining unions and the existing labor contracts will remain in effect until new agreements are reached. Management does not expect that the negotiations or the resulting labor agreements will have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Railroad Retirement Act and Railroad Retirement Improvement Act

Railroad industry personnel are covered by the Railroad Retirement Act (“RRA”) instead of the Social Security Act. Employer contributions under the RRA are currently substantially higher than those under the Social Security Act and may rise further because of the increasing proportion of retired employees receiving benefits relative to the number of working employees. The RRA currently requires up to a 20.75% contribution by railroad employers on eligible wages while the Social Security and Medicare Acts only require a 7.65% employer contribution on similar wage bases. Railroad industry personnel are also covered by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (“FELA”) rather than state workers’ compensation systems. FELA is a fault-based system with compensation for injuries settled by negotiation and litigation, which can be expensive and time-consuming. By contrast, most other industries are covered by state administered no-fault plans with standard compensation schedules. The difference in the labor regulations for the rail industry compared to the non-rail industries illustrates the competitive disadvantage placed upon the rail industry by federal labor regulations.

On December 21, 2001, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2001 (“RRIA”) was signed into law. This legislation liberalizes early retirement benefits for employees with 30 years of service by reducing the full benefit age from 62 to 60, eliminates a cap on monthly retirement and disability benefits, lowers the minimum service requirement from 10 years to 5 years of service, and provides for increased benefits for surviving spouses. It also provides for the investment of railroad retirement funds in non-governmental assets, adjustments in the payroll tax rates paid by employees and employers, and the repeal of a supplemental annuity work-hour tax. The law also reduced the employer contribution for payroll taxes by 0.5% in 2002 and by an additional 1.4% in 2003. Beginning in 2004, the employer contribution will be based on a formula and could range between 8.2% and 22.1%. These reductions in the employer contributions under the RRA had a favorable impact on fringe benefits expenses during 2003. Additionally, the reduction in the retirement age from 62 to 60 is expected to result in increased employee attrition, leading to additional potential cost savings since it is not anticipated that all employees selecting early retirement will be replaced.

Insurance

KCS maintains multiple insurance programs for its various subsidiaries including rail liability and property, general liability, directors and officers’ coverage, workers compensation coverage and various specialized coverage for specific entities as needed. Coverage for KCSR is by far the most significant part of the KCS program. It includes liability coverage up to $250 million, subject to a $10 million deductible and certain aggregate limitations, and property coverage up to $200 million subject to a $5 million deductible ($10 million deductible in the event of flood or earthquake) and certain aggregate limitations. KCS management believes that the Company’s insurance program is in line with industry norms given its size and provides adequate coverage for potential losses.

Available Information

The Company’s Internet address is www.kcsi.com. Through this website, KCS makes available, free of charge, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K,

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and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing or furnishing of these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, ethics and legal compliance policy, and the charters of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors are available on the Company’s Internet website. These guidelines and charters are available in print to any stockholder who requests them. Written requests may be made to the Corporate Secretary of KCS, P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121 (or if by federal express or other form of express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105).

KCSR — Certain KCSR property statistics follow:

KCSR’s fleet of locomotives and rolling stock consisted of the following at December 31: