System-Wide Monthly Update # 6

14, September 2005

 

The 2005 production season has been proceeding well for the past several months.  The engineering forces have essentially completed most of the CWR projects and all of the tie distribution that was scheduled for the 2005 production season.  Bridge work, tie installation, surfacing and several switches will be installed yet this year and we fully expect all projects to be completed, on time and on budget by the end of the year.

 

¨       Both large CWR projects, one north of  Plymouth IA. on the IC&E and the other east of Revere MN. on the DM&E are completed and track speeds have been raised to 40 mph in these areas.

¨       The “Curve Patch” program for 2005 will include laying over 75,000 feet of premium rail on over 35 curves between Nora Junction on the Mason City sub, to Airline Junction on the Kansas City sub.  Work on this program is over 90% completed and will be 100% completed within the next four to six weeks.

¨       Due to the additional Capital projects that have recently been added to the 2005 capital program, major tie projects are scheduled to be completed on the Kansas City, River, Chicago, and Owatonna subs of the IC&E and the Tracy and PRC subs of the DM&E.  There will be lesser projects on the Mason City sub on the IC&E and the Hartland, Waseca, and Black Hills subs on the DM&E.  Nearly 185,000 ties are now projected to be installed in the 2005 season.  All tie projects are completed except for those on the Tracy, PRC, Kansas City and River subs and those are still scheduled to be completed by year’s end.

¨       The most notable bridge projects of 2005 are the complete rebuild of Bridge 1506 at Fort Pierre, South Dakota and Bridge 434.5 at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota on the DM&E.  Several lesser projects will be completed on both properties.

¨       All materials for all projects have been in good supply and have been readily available, although high steel and fuel prices have hampered some deliveries and have raised the prices on many items.  Most materials have been delivered and are on site ready for installation.

¨       There are now 30 new premium turnouts in the 2005 capital plan with 15 of them being associated with the CWR projects and the rest for various upgrades around the two properties.  All turnouts are scheduled to be installed by the middle of October.

¨       Current estimates are for about 220,000 tons of ballast for the 2005 season’s 925 miles of surfacing.