Cost to lay rail

Posted by WisconsinCentral

on Thu, Nov 10 2005 7:32 PM

How much does it cost a RR per mile to lay rail?

Thanks,
Douglas H,
New Brighton, MN

Long live the Soo Line, WC, SD45s, and any remaining standard cab EMDs on todays class 1s!

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Posted by alstom

on Thu, Nov 10 2005 7:33 PM

HAHAHAHA, You stated a thread about this! Like I said, maybe a million per section fo rail. (Hey, I'm not an expert)!

Richard Click here to go to my rail videos! Click here to go to my rail photos! .........

Posted by Richard A

on Fri, Nov 11 2005 8:11 AM

Obviously you two guys (WisconsinCentral & Alstom) have been having a "conversation" about this topic, so I hope you don't mind input from another "non-expert".

I am usually irritated when I post a question and get answers from people who "think" they know the answer, but offer it up as definitive. Nevertheless, here goes. Somewhere, perhaps on another forum [:0] I read where the cost of laying new track in virgin territory was in the ball park of $1,000,000 per mile. It can be a lot more, too, depending on right-of-way acquisition, terrain, etc.

I tried google, to no avail, but I if I run across the info I'll repost.

Are you two betting? Recreationally, I'm sure!

Whether your life is good or bad, trains will make it better!

Posted by cnw4001

on Fri, Nov 11 2005 11:16 AM

As has been stated, the cost varies per case. There is a connecting track near where I live which has something like $6 million in costs but then it included property purchase and extensive grading of the line.

Length, about a mile.

Clearly the only cost one might be able to derive is some very general average.

Posted by tpatrick

on Sat, Nov 12 2005 9:18 AM

Here's a quote from a news article that doesn't answer your question directly but gets us into the ballpark.

"Amtrak says it costs up to $5 million a mile to upgrade existing railroad track to carry high speed trains capable of going 150 mph. Amtrak does not build new track for its high speed routes. Amtrak's data also show that it costs $10 million to $20 million to add one mile of lane to an interstate highway." Quoted from a larger article about magnetic super speed trains.

If high speed passenger rail can be laid for 5 mil, you can be sure freight tracks are much cheaper, but I don't have figures to quote.

Hope this helps. Tim

Posted by TheS.P.caboose

on Mon, Nov 14 2005 5:20 AM

I understood it cost $1,000 per foot.

Regards Gary

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Nov 15 2005 9:19 AM

Some general guidelines:

General cost/mile, virgin, if performed thru the carrier with union labor: $1 million

As above, private contractor: $600,000

Yard track, per foot, non-union: $125

Fly-overs. with track: $5,000 per foot

Main line turn out: $100,000 to $500,000

Yard turn out: $30,000-50,000