KCSR notes completion of four key engineering projects in 2014

Kansas City Southern Railway Co.'s (KCSR) Engineering Department so far this year has completed four major projects aimed at expanding capacity and improving operational efficiency.
 
Crews completed a north lead extension in Shreveport, La., that involved extending a mainline by 8,000 feet.  The extension provides an independent switching lead for the Shreveport Terminal and improves train fluidity for the terminal and main track, KCSR officials said in an item posted on the "KCS News" web page.
 
In Corpus Christi, Texas, workers added five new classification tracks to the railroad's yard. In addition, two existing yard tracks were rehabilitated, increasing the facility's capacity to approximately 240 rail cars.

"This was the first KCSR project to exclusively use steel ties, a cost-effective option in high traffic yards," KCSR officials said. "Steel ties allow for lower construction and ballast costs, decreased maintenance and longer tie life."
 
Also in Texas, crews replaced an existing turnout on a Union Pacific Railroad line involving trackage rights in Placedo and upgraded rail to increase train speed by 10 mph. The work will accommodate more train movements between the United States and Mexico in the railroad's Rosenberg and Laredo subdivisions, KCSR officials said.

"The work at Placedo represents the first of several projects aimed at improving fluidity across the UP trackage rights," said KCSR Vice President and Chief Engineer Jeff Songer.
 
A third project in Texas involved the first phase of work at an automotive and intermodal shipper facility in Kendleton. Workers added three acres of concrete-paved areas where trucks and an additional 1,200 automobiles can be parked.