Regional railroad Kansas City Southern on Friday reported a higher quarterly net profit that came in above Wall Street expectations, driven by rising freight volumes in particular in the automotive and energy sectors. The Kansas City-based railroad reported net income of $142 million, up nearly 25 percent from $114 million a year earlier. The company reported earnings per share for the quarter of $1.28, compared with $1.03 a year earlier. Analysts had expected earnings per share for the quarter of $1.03. (Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)