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On Dec. 1, BNSF Railway Co. assumed switching and classification responsibilities at a yard in Dayton, Texas, which is located about 40 miles east of Houston.

The additional duties “let us establish a footprint in the Houston area, more so than we have been able to in the past,” said BNSF General Director-Transportation Marc Stephens in an item posted on the “BNSF News” Web site. “In the longer term, this opens the door for possibilities of other business.”

The yard supports the Gulf Coast chemical network and handles manifest trains heading to New Orleans; Memphis, Tenn.; and Galesburg, Ill. Operations include classification of intermediate connections and rail-car storage for chemical shippers.

BNSF previously employed a yardmaster and 10 workers at the yard; now, the Class I has added 67 positions.

“We’re using furloughed employees to fill the yard-related positions,” said Stephens.