KCS helps commemorate opening of Ray-Carroll grain elevator in Missouri

Earlier this month, Kansas City Southern and Ray-Carroll executives joined officials from Missouri, Lafayette County and city of Corder to mark the completion of Ray-Carroll's new grain elevator in Corder.

A grain cooperative, Ray-Carroll several years ago identified the need for a modern and high-speed elevator in Lafayette County, an active production area for corn and soybeans. Early discussions between KCS and Ray-Carroll officials yielded agreements to locate the new facility on the Class I's mainline, railroad officials said in an item posted on the "KCS News" web page.

A ground-breaking was held in September 2012 and construction of the concrete elevator's upright portion began in early April 2013.

The facility, which can store 1.44 million bushels, will help Missouri farmers bring more grain to domestic and international markets, KCS and Ray-Carroll officials said.

The elevator features an unloading capacity of 60,000 bushels per hour, load-out capacity of 80,000 bushels per hour, dryer capacity of 6,000 bushels per hour and loop-track capacity for 120 rail cars. Now Ray-Carroll's fastest rail-loading facility, the elevator also features power-assisted switches off the mainline, and dual truck scales for inbound and outbound traffic, KCS officials said.

Construction soon will begin adjacent to the elevator to expand grain storage capacity by another 1 million bushels.