Sidings Weekly Update #4

6 May 2004

 

SCHEDULES FIRMING, BUT NOT COMPLETED

 

As of May 6, we have put  1 of the 4 sidings tentatively planned for 2004 in to service although it is not completely finished. 

 

1. The Cobden siding construction began on April 27, and thanks to some excellent weather, has progressed to the point of being 80% complete.  We are now awaiting final approval for our wetlands proposal, but at any rate we now expect this siding to be in service by mid- September. If the approval process is delayed, we may shorten the siding to 8000’ to get it in service prior to the grain rush.

 

¨       Switches are ordered and expect delivery and installation of the West switch before June 15th

¨       Ties are ordered and will be delivered to the sight over the next three weeks

¨       OTM and rail is being recovered from the CWR project near Volga and will be transported to the sight during the next two weeks

 

2. The Tracy siding is ahead of its scheduled May 15 date for being put in to service.

¨       Sub grade is 100% complete and the track is over 95% complete

¨       The Tracy Siding will be put into service at 1700 on the 6th of May. This is over a week ahead of schedule and should help with congestion problems in the area.

¨       Crossing at Sale Barn Road was completed on May 5th and final surfacing of the siding will be done by the crew of Kent Maxon on Thursday the 6th.

¨       We expect to install the crossovers later in May or June to complete the project, but the new pass will be usable without the crossovers being installed. 

 

3. The negotiations on the Florence siding appear to be making better progress this past week, but we are still awaiting a final agreement with BNSF before we can commit.

 

4. The internal discussions regarding the Manchester siding are leaning toward not building it if Florence happens.  Instead, we are looking at other alternatives, including extending De Smet and Elkton as well as extending and rebuilding the Sanborn siding.  Any ideas or suggestions from the field as to other potential siding locations (extensions or new sidings) would be much appreciated.  Operational needs are the primary consideration.  Suggestions should be directed to Dick Awe or Steve Scharnweber.