Project Highlights
- Rehabilitated the Sayre Yard
- Changed out 50,000 ties on the main line
- Reconstructed 16 grade crossings
- Constructed a new passing track
- Built a new main line track
Farmrail hired RailWorks Track Systems to upgrade its track to Class II standards and to expand capacity at key junctures on its line.
RailWorks crews performed the following work over seven months beginning in late 2012 and continuing into June of 2013:
- Rehabilitated the Sayre Yard – A crew demolished and then reconstructed a total of 12,000 feet of track, including installing five rehabilitated and five new switches, in the strategically important Sayre, Okla., yard. Work was completed in two stages to allow traffic in the yard to continue while each half was being constructed. The updated yard is located near the railroad’s primary oil collection points.
- Performed a mainline tie program – A production crew changed out 50,000 ties on the main line between Sayre and Clinton, Okla. All work was completed at night so trains could move during daylight hours.
- Reconstructed road crossings – Crews rebuilt 16 grade crossings throughout the network.
- Constructed new passing track – A crew constructed a new, 3,000 foot passing track at Elk City, Okla.
- Built a new main line track – A crew constructed one mile of new main line track in Clinton. This work was completed at night to allow for train movements during the day.
Unique Features
RailWorks worked closely with Farmrail and watched train movements constantly, especially in the yard. It was a challenge to work at night. Crews wore head lamps and participated in detailed job briefings to make sure everyone understood the work plan.
Farmrail has experienced a 30 percent increase in carloadings since 2008, fueled primarily by the oil boom. In 2012, oilfield-related carloadings. including inbound frac sand and outbound oil, accounted for 66 percent of Farmrail’s freight.
Despite its rapid business expansion, Farmrail’s track conditions limited train composition to just five tank cars and limited train speeds. RailWorks updated the track through a federal assistance under a program called TIGER III.
Farmrail has experienced a 30 percent increase in carloadings since 2008, fueled primarily by the oil boom. In 2012, oilfield-related carloadings. including inbound frac sand and outbound oil, accounted for 66 percent of Farmrail’s freight.
Despite its rapid business expansion, Farmrail’s track conditions limited train composition to just five tank cars and limited train speeds. RailWorks updated the track through a federal assistance under a program called TIGER III.