Sidings Weekly Update #6

20 May 2004

 

SCHEDULE ALMOST COMPLETE: DE SMET EXTENSION ADDED, MANCHESTER OUT

 

As of May 20, we have put 1 of the 5 sidings now tentatively planned for 2004 in to service although it is not completely finished. 

 

1. The Cobden siding construction began on April 27 and we are now completed with the west 8000’. We will be receiving the switches and other material over the next few weeks and at that time we will reevaluate whether to wait for wetlands approval or construct an 8000’ siding. We expect this siding to be in service by the end of July if it is 8000’and the end of August if we are able to build 10,000’.

 

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

¨       Tie delivery has continued with almost Ό of the ties already at the location. The rest should be delivered within 2 weeks. 

¨       We have now shipped all the rail and OTM that will be required for this project to the area and one of the DM&E cranes is distributing it on site in preparation for the track construction.

 

 

2. The Tracy siding was put in service on Thursday the 6th and has provided immediate help to alleviate congestion in the area.

 

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

¨       The length of the new passing track is over 8000’.

¨       The reconfiguration of the Tracy yard after the new siding was put into service gives the transportation department track 4 which will hold 60 cars.

¨       T & E employees, CSC and dispatch have all been giving high marks for the help this siding is giving them to relieve the congestion in the area and to reduce “meet” times.

 

 

3. The negotiations on the Florence siding continue.  We are still awaiting a final agreement with BNSF before we can commit.

 

4.  After receiving many suggestions from the field we have decided not to build the Manchester Siding this year. Instead we will rebuild the Sanborn siding and extend Elkton. We are also considering an extension at DeSmet.

 

5.  The Elkton Siding will be extended over 4000’ to the east and will help with congestion and will enable the meeting of longer trains.

 

·        Dirt work started on the 17th and we expect this to be completed by the first week in June.

·        A new switch for east end is ordered and will be delivered by the end of June.

·        Ties have been ordered and they will begin arriving immediately with completion by the middle of June.

·        Rail and OTM that has been recovered from the Volga/ Lake Preston project, will be delivered and stored on site ready for the construction.

·        Best estimate now for being in service is mid to late August.

 

6.  The Sanborn Siding project involves renewing over ½ the ties in the current siding and changing the rail as well as adding ballast and surfacing.

 

·        Ties are ordered and will be delivered by the end of the month.

·        Expect contractor LA Colo to install these ties when his crews are in the area around mid June.

·        Will replace rail as soon as ties are installed.

·        Ballast and surfacing will be completed after rail and expect this project to be completed by the end of July, depending on manpower issues.

 

 

7.  We are currently doing a new evaluation at De Smet and preparing new estimates to extend that siding to the west about 3700’. We expect the De Smet Siding decision to be made by May 24th.