Smart Sand ships first unit train from Wisconsin transload site

Smart Sand Inc. has moved the first unit train from its expanded unit-train transload facility at its mining operation in Byron Township, Wisconsin.

The company recently completed an expansion of its siding and transload facility, which is on a Union Pacific Railroad line. The unit train was moved via UP on Dec. 26, 2017, Smart Sand officials said in a press release.

With the expansion completed, the company has the capacity for several hundred rail cars and unit trains to ship frac sand via UP and Canadian Pacific, they added.

"As one of the first sand providers to recognize and respond to customer demands to move higher volumes in shorter timeframes, Smart Sand has been a pioneer in building unit train capability," said Smart Sand Chief Executive Officer Charles Young. "Our investment in the Byron location is another example of Smart Sand's commitment to superior logistics service for our customers."

The company also expects to complete a drying capacity expansion at the site by the end of March.