Riesel, Texas (near Waco)

Customer
Sandy Creek Power Partners

RailWorks Business Unit
RailWorks Track Systems

Description
RailWorks installed a 33,000-track-foot loop track and 10 turnouts for a new power plant under construction in Texas, to be operated by Houston-based Dynegy Inc.

Scope
RailWorks constructed track for a new coal-fired electric plant near Waco, Texas. Crews built the 33,000-foot loop track using continuous-weld rail. Included in the project were 10 turnouts, two of which are mainline turnouts connected to the Union Pacific line. Another six turnouts are solar-powered.

Unique features
When the time came to weld the rail, the grade wasn’t yet ready so workers welded 80-foot sections of rail into 1,440-foot segments. The track was later moved into position when the grade was completed.

Sandy Creek Energy Station’s solar-powered turnouts will help promote energy and labor efficiencies. Besides capturing free fuel, the solar-switch machines are centrally controlled, eliminating the need for leave the train and manually throw switches.

The Sandy Creek plant is slated to begin operation in 2012 as a 900-megawatt facility that will be among the largest in the United States using supercritical steam generators. Hallmarks of supercritical technology are operating efficiency gained through a better power-to-fuel ratio, and lower plant emissions. The facility should generate electricity for more than 100,000 homes and businesses in Texas.

Other participants
Sandy Creek Power Partners is comprised of Gilbert Industrial Corp. (an affiliate of Kiewit Construction Co.)
Overland Contracting, Inc. (a subsidiary of Black & Veatch)
Zachry Construction Corp.