Investment in New Capacity Continues

[Anonymous]

KANSAS CITY -- The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) has begun the grading, bridge, and signal work for adding a second main track to its route between Milan and Attica, Kansas. Track construction work is tentatively scheduled to begin in December.

BNSF is also installing an upgraded train signal system along with the new track. This will involve the installation of new signals and control houses at the new turnout and signal locations which represent the position of the new double track. The grading, bridge, signal and track work will continue through the winter months.

The new second main track in Harper and Sumner counties will allow present train traffic to move through the area more expeditiously and leave room for future business growth.

This track is part of BNSF's premier rail route between Chicago and Southern California and carries many of the consumer goods and packages that millions of Americans consume every day. Once the additional track BNSF is constructing on this route is completed in 2005, more than 90 percent of this 2,214 mile route (Chicago - Los Angeles) will be double track.

Source: Wellington (KS) Daily News

[jeaton]

I know there was the big addition to terminal capacity in the Chicago area with the new facility near Joliet. I can't recall seeing anything about BNSF having problems with terminal capacity, and am wondering if they have any such problems worthy of note.

Jay

[jeaton]

Mark

I am sure a survey of yardmasters, train crews waiting to get in and dispatchers waiting to get their railroad back would argue that the truism is in fact true.

Speaking of the question of the third track, when I was hanging around Belen and Dalies the term "headway" came to mind.

Jay

[Anonymous]

The more goods being shipped by rail the better.

The fewer number of trucks on the highways, the better.

[TH&B]

Maybe once the transcon is fully doubled up and choke points all slicked up they will start reducing level crossings. Hiway crossings are a source of delays (just slowing down to flag a deffective crossing is bad enough) and if the BNSF transcon becomes more reliable and busy, the more expensive crossing delays will become.

I would think building over and under passes be more productive then a 3rd or 4th main through out.

[Junctionfan]

Sounds like something UP should be doing in some of the areas I have read about.