Espee's Rosenberg Line

[valleyeagle2006]

Has The KCS Finished It's Rehab Of The Former Espee Rosenberg-Wharton-Victoria Line Yet Or Are TexMex Trains Still Going Through Flatonia and Yoakum To Victoria and Laredo??Also,Has The "Southern Belle"Business Train Traveresed The Beaumont-Flatonia-Victoria-Corpus Christi Line To Laredo/Nuevo Laredo??

[BoxcabE50]

What do they use for power on their business train these days? Do they still have refurbished F units?

:D

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

I drove over it yesterday just southwest of Rosenberg and it did not look like anything had been done yet. The KCS still has to go through Flatonia. KCS only recently found local office space to move into and manage all the construction out of for the line rebuilding.

[valleyeagle2006]

TABunch Russ!!

[Kenneth L. Anthony]

I drove Houston-Rosenberg-Wharton-Victoria-Corpus Christi on Sunday. Saw lots of roadbed with grass between Wharton and Victoria, untracked bridge over Lake Texana, etc.

[r_i_straw]

Things are starting to happen around here. The KCS business train just went through Sugar Land on its way to Victoria. I have heard they have been out in force telling property owners along the old right of way to get everything off of it such as fences they have strung over it or it will be buldozed. They bought a big chunk of propery around Beasley for their offices and eventually an intermodal facility that they are now using as staging for the construction. Lots of equipment and stuff piling up there.

[r_i_straw]

According to a post on Yahoo Railspot (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/railspot/message/69221) (I don't know if that link will work if you are not a Yahoo user) a lot is starting to happen. Mostly old track and ties being ripped up and the right of way cleared.

[r_i_straw]

I drove out to take a look today. Old rail still in place for about three miles from junction in Rosenberg. Found this UP MOW gang (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_0780.JPG) at about mile 2. (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_0781.JPG) I don't know why they would still be out there unless they still own that short piece. Rail was all gone through Beasley (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_0770.JPG) and they were clearing all the brush from beside the right of way. The old rail is still in place (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_07761.JPG) just west of the San Bernard River.

[Flash Blackman]

Jointed rail, though. I wonder why UP is out there? Maybe they just like the KCS paint scheme? OTOH, maybe that's not it. Perhaps they have some trackage rights along that route that will require some shared maintenance. I have a UP guy at the club I can probably ask on Wednesday.

Looks like some wet, flat ground around there, Russell. Must be some rice out there somewhere? :D

Do the tracks just follow Highway 59?

[r_i_straw]

OK, I just found out that UP still owns the first 2.4 miles up to McHattie on the old SP timetable. They will take care of their whimpy 60 lb jointed rail and let KCS tie their 120 lb welded rail onto the end. KCS will have to slow down anyway because UP will likely hold them for ever before letting them pull out on the Sunset.

[r_i_straw]

Do the tracks just follow Highway 59?
Pretty much. Out of downtown Rosenberg the tracks follow Farm Road 529 until it merges into Highway 59. 59 bypasses little towns like Beasley and Kendleton but the old highway still follows the tracks.

[friscobob]

I'm a member of Railspot as well as the KCSnotes group on Yahoo, and rebuilding progress is indeed being posted. Stories of rail & tie removal are being posted (get rid of the old, replace with new), as well as weed/tree/brush removal on the ROW.

BTW, to read posts on Railspot you have to be a member. Same with KCSNotes.

Here's the post I mentioned from Railspot:

01/20/2007:

Here's SIGNIFICANT progress to report!

Rail removal has progressed to about MP 14.8, basically the east end of the San Bernard River bridge outside of Kendleton. This means that the stretch of ribbon rail into Kendleton was removed.

Rail-mounting hardware removal has progressed to somewhere between MP 13 and MP 14. This part of the railroad is not accessible, as the old US 59 right-of-way is blocked off along this stretch due to construction.

Tie removal has progressed to about MP 10.0.

Right-of-way clearing has made some progress too. Last time I reported it stopped at about MP 4.0. It starts again about MP 5.1, and has been done here and there to about MP 7.2, about the east edge of Beasley

[r_i_straw]

From the Yahoo T&NO list.
02/03/07:

As of 1030 this morning progress on the Macaroni line
was as follows:

Rail removal: MP 22.4 (CR 220 crossing north of
Wharton) Last rails to be removed are at about MP
25.9.

Removal of tie-mounting hardware: MP 20.2

Removal of ties: MP 14.2

Clearing of ROW: no notable progress, except for
burning piles of trees and brush, since last report.

------

And now--sit down and hold on to your hats!

I talked to a foreman with W. T. Byler this morning at
the CR 220 grade crossing. He projected further
progress as follows:

--1600-foot ribbon rail will start being delivered to
Rosenberg in about two weeks

--Installation of new wood ties and ribbon rail will
commence at end of track in Rosenberg in about one
month. While KCS ownership starts at MP 2.4 (and the
official ROW clearing starting point is MP 2.5), a
3500 ft. stretch of track was left in place so that
rail installation machinery and ribbon rail train
could be placed on KCS trackage when they start new
rail installation.

--New rail installation will reach Wharton probably
about four months after installation begins at
Rosenberg.

--Bridges: only one bridge is slated for replacement
as of now--the first wood trestle on KCS property
south of Rosenberg. Others may be replaced, but which
ones are not known as of yet. The Colorado River
bridge is believed to have been inspected recently and
found suitable for use by KCS.

--ROW infringement at MP 5.0. There is a pair of
billboards that infringe on KCS ROW at MP 5.0. Power
has been disconnected to those billboards, and the
owner(s) will have to move or remove the billboards.

So, there you go--the real excitement is just around
the corner--a lot sooner than I would have guessed.
Still, another project to be on the lookout for is
reconstruction of roadbed south of Wharton. Perhaps
this will start after rail installation begins, so
that installation can continue unimpeded once the
track crews have reached Wharton. This, however, is
only conjecture on my part, as I received no
information on construction south of Wharton.

[friscobob]

Thanks for the update, Russ! I've been keeping up with the rebuild of the Macaroni Line on both the KCSNotes and Railspot groups on Yahoo.

[Ed M]

I just passed through the Victoria-Rosenberg section of Hwy 59 yesterday and saw a lot of activity, mostly appeared (as far as I could make out just glancing out the window) to involve removing old ties and piling them for removal, and clearing brush/small trees from along the r-o-w. I did see a number of bundles of new wood ties dropped off along the route.

Nice to see progress being made.

Ed

[r_i_straw]

KCS said this bill board was too close so the owner chopped one leg off. I wonder if that is good enough. ;)
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_1130.JPG

[friscobob]

Something tells me it ain't, and since KCS now owns the ROW they should be able to force the issue. Too dang many bollboards anyway as it is....and the one in the background looks too close as well.

[Matthew Roberts]

Hopefully, KCS can eventually be independent of UP for connection btw. the main KCS lines and Tex-Mex/KCSdeM.

60lbs. rail is worse than my local shortline (135lbs. rail). :shade:

[r_i_straw]

On Wednesday, February 6th, I drove out to the end of rail at McHattie. There was a string of gons loaded with concrete ties parked on the last stretch of jointed rail and rotten ties that KCS has not pull up yet. It was just west of where the UP ownership ends. Equipment was busy unloading ties. The ribbon rail train can't be too far behind.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_1962.JPG

[Flash Blackman]

Gateway Western RR was a Santa Fe subsidiary. Sold to KCS when BNSF was formed and ATSF no longer used that entrance to Chicago. Gateway Western has been merged into KCS. Nice looking gondola there. Reporting marks are GWWR.

[BoxcabE50]

GWWR was operating on what had been GM&O trackage?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

They had a ballast train backed up to the end of track and were unloading today.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/ballast.jpg
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/kcs2.jpg

[Ed M]

Interesting to see the concrete ties laid out there. What I saw last time thru (November) were stacks of new creosoted wood ties.

[r_i_straw]

It may be that the wood ties were being used to rebuild the decking on bridges and trestles. There is a long stretch of trestle over the Bernard River and a lot of other smaller short ones.

[BoxcabE50]

They had a ballast train backed up to the end of track and were unloading today.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/ballast.jpg


How are they working this? The truck is dumping past end of rail, and then? Or is the ballast going elsewhere along the project?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

I am not sure. I did not have time to see where the trucks were going. I will have to check it out later.

[r_i_straw]

Today I found where they had dumped piles of ballast on the right of way outside Beasley.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/ballast1.jpg

They also were replacing old timber trestles with steel piles and concrete abutments.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/pile_driver.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

I hope someone can catch photos for us, as the track laying progresses. Watching that process can be fascinating!

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

I hope someone can catch photos for us, as the track laying progresses. Watching that process can be fascinating!I may try tomorrow. I drove by tonight after dark and there was a ribbon rail train at the end of track. They had lights set up and had tractors dragging rail down the right of way.

[BoxcabE50]

That would be great! BTW- Have you heard a schedule for opening this route?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

They were already unloaded and gone by the time I got there today.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_19941.JPG

I found the empty train backing off of the UP main onto the BNSF main at the interlocker in Rosenberg.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_19971.JPG

They put it on a siding just north of Rosenberg.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_19991.JPG

I have heard the line is supposed to be up and running, first quarter of 2009.

[BoxcabE50]

Looks like it was a great day to be out there. Blue skies, with some fluffy cotton balls...

Early 2009... Any hints of where there will be sidings? Or possibly any spurs to serve a few customers?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

KCS bought a huge chunk of land just outside of Beasley for an inter modal yard. Not sure where they will put sidings but probably where there were sidings in the past. A large grain elevator outside Wharton is negotiating service contracts and there are a few other industries like a plastic pipe manufacturer who are interested.

[BoxcabE50]

Sounds good! At least this won't just be a bridge route.

Boxcab E50

[drawbar]

Great updates. Thanks for the pics. Keep em coming.

[BoxcabE50]

drawbar-

Welcome to TrainBoard!

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Welcome drawbar. No photos today, however when I went by yesterday they had about half a mile of ribbon rail laid out on concrete ties west from where the old rail ends. I could not tell if the rail was clipped in yet but it looked nice and straight. No ballast yet but a string of gondolas full of some sort of aggregate was backing down the old track to be unloaded.

[BNSF FAN]

Don't really know my Texas geography that well and being too lazy to pull up a map, and since I will be in Waco next week, I'll ask where is this in relation to Waco?

[Ed M]

A long way away. This is just a bit southwest of Houston, heading southwest towards Victoria.

Let me edit that a bit in view of how "a long way" may be interpreted. Waco to Rosenberg is about 200 miles. Waco is maybe 170+ miles northwest of Houston, and Rosenberg is about 30 miles southwest of Houston, so if your route to Waco takes through Houston, you wouldn't be all that far away.

Ed

[r_i_straw]

Here is a map. (http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=30.5528,-96.311646&spn=2.507034,3.735352&z=8)
Waco is upper left and Rosenberg is lower right just southwest of Houston.

[inch53]

There was a westbound load of ribbon rail went through here [CSX Indy – St Louis line] yesterday.
I’m guessing it maybe headed down that way.
inch

[r_i_straw]

Went by today and watched the progress.

Towing rail riding on bogey trucks.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/tractor1.jpg
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/boggies.jpg
Close up of ties.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/KCStie.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

How long are those rail sections?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

How long are those rail sections?

Boxcab E50 "Welded rails are made of sections about 1400 feet in length which are transported to the site of the laying operation"

From this site (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3999276.html).

[BoxcabE50]

Do you by chance have a photo at end of track? I am curious what they're using to skid the rail on out onto awaiting ties.

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Sorry, no. I waited around a while for something to happen but nothing did. I had to get to a board meeting at the museum so was not able to wait forever.

[TJS909]

Wow abandoned line starting anew....I LIKE IT!
Thanks for the photos Russ....Hopefully I can make it over to Cajon pass (15 mi. away) this week and get photos of BNSF's 3rd main progress.

[r_i_straw]

I went out yesterday to take a look. Ties and rail are in place all the way to the east side of Beasley. A Ballast train was out as far as the Spur 10 overpass and some gondolas and hoppers were parked farther out. Ties were staged for placement out as far as the west side of Beasley. I put a bunch of new photos in an album I created with all my photos of this project.

KCS Victoria Sub - RailImages.com (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=1784)

[r_i_straw]

Here is a close up of the steel ties on the left. I have never seen these before. Maybe just a temporary siding?
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/Steel_Ties.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

Interesting. I wonder if they're comparing? Testing? Or temp as you've suggested? Maybe you can catch someone there, and have a friendly conversation?

Boxcab E50

[Ed M]

Okay, I had never heard of steel ties before (at least not in modern railroading) but a quick Google search turned up a few sources, including:
http://www.ttsties.com/products/mainline/index.html
.

[Flash Blackman]

I just checked the location of Beasley, Texas. That's a long way from Victoria. How long will this refurbishing be in progress? Maybe I can make a trip to Victoria when it gets closer.

Also, what was the siding for? An industry, I hope.

[SirTainly]

Interesting progress. They use steel ties here for temporary tracks, so maybe they are bieing used here to allow equipement to be moved by rail to the end of the line before the concrete ones are properly emplaced and ballasted.

[r_i_straw]

Also, what was the siding for? An industry, I hope.
No industries near it. After watching them go through all kinds of maneuvers to get a ballast train turned around in Rosenberg, so they could back it down the line to rail end, I think it may be a temporary siding to bring the engines around to the other end of a train. That way they don't tie up the UP/BNSF interlocker in Rosenberg.

[r_i_straw]

The "company line" is it will be finished next spring. They have one of the new switches active on the temporary siding and are using it to switch cars.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_21011.JPG
More photos here. (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/1784)
You can see the section of rails with the concrete ties dragged off to the left at the switch. I believe they will weld that back in when they take out the switch and the temporary siding. That will probably happen when they reach Kendleton and put in a wye at the site of their new intermodal yard that they are building on a huge tract of land.

[Ed M]

What are the frames for in the two gondolas next to the locomotives?

Ed
.

[r_i_straw]

I think they had the panels for the switches leaning on those racks. Each temporary switch breaks down into two sections that just fit inside the gondola.

[r_i_straw]

Here is one half of a switch yet to be bolted to its other half. The gondolas were parked near by after being unloaded.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_20892.JPG

[Ed M]

"Snap track"

[LADiver]

CP uses steel ties in both spiral tunnels.

[r_i_straw]

This empty train of ballast hoppers was about ready to head up to the Sunset Route at Rosenberg.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/601/IMG_22262.JPG

[Triplex]

I always find cylindrical open hoppers unusual, as if they belong somewhere other than North America. How long have they been in use?

[beagle_badge]

I have just made the trip following the Rosenberg/Victoria ROW. Photographs of the significant existing bridges from Wharton west to Victoria are on:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/10433

[r_i_straw]

Cool shots. Welcome to Trainboard. It will be interesting to see if they can use all the old bridges or not. There is a lot of timber trestle in place crossing the San Bernard. I wonder if they will replace much of it with a fill causeway similar to what the SP did across Lake Texana at the Navidad River.

Note: you can edit the information on any of your photos in your gallery at Railimage by clicking on the http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/images/image_edit.png button below it.

[Flash Blackman]

That is a great set of photos of all the bridges along the route. I recommend to all that it is worth your time to see them. Some bridges appear solid and some not so solid. It will be interesting to see the disposition that KCS makes of them.

Welcome to TrainBoard, too!

[BoxcabE50]

beagle_badge;

Welcome to TrainBoard!

Nice set of photos. It will be interesting to follow the rehabilitation of those structures. Hope you can help keep us updated.

Boxcab E50

[beagle_badge]

Hi Russell,

If you have the opportunity, there where two long (600-700 feet) timber trestles that KCS was approaching with their MOW teams. The one on the west end of Kendleton (San Bernard River) had been stripped of foliage and a large backhoe was clearing the eastern approach and another, next to "Old Hwy 59" near Hungerford--it would be interesting to see pictures of the rebuild or replacement of these open timber trestle bridges.

beagle

[friscobob]

Here is what I observed on the KCS rebuilding project out of Rosenberg Sunday evening:

NEW RAIL is complete to the intermodal facility property at Kendleton. In fact, even a second track has been laid on the north/west side of the main at that property. Still, lots of ballast work is still in order for most of the line.

LAND WORK inside the facility is under way.

ROW clearing has proceeded to about half-way between Kendleton and Hungerford.

SAN BERNARD RIVER BRIDGE south of Kendleton has mostly been demolished, and piles are being driven for the new bridge.

ANOTHER NEW BRIDGE is complete past where ROW clearing ends. It is a small trestle, the first bridge north of the long trestle north of Hungerford (Little Bernard River?).

No KCS trains were on the property.

[BoxcabE50]

Sure hope someone can grab a few photos of the bridge repairs. That aspect has always fascinated me.

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

A friend of mine who volunteers at the Museum posted this to a few of the Yahoo Groups.
05/11/08:

Behold, some significant progress in a week!

NEW RAIL: KCS's last remaining section of SP 90lb. rail on the north end of their trackage has been replaced with welded rail and concrete ties. At the intermodal facility, the siding has been connected to the main on the north end with a switch.

ROW CLEARING: This has progressed almost to Hungerford.

SAN BERNARD RIVER BRIDGE construction continues south of Kendleton, with a couple of piers complete. Some of the SP bridge is still intact, but it appears that the decking from that bridge is being salvaged, as there are intact parts of it on the ROW south of the bridge.

INTERMODAL FACILITY: quite a lot of earth work has been going on here now, but it is hard to describe.

TRAINS: There was one train on KCS property Sunday, a ballast train made of KCS system of gondolas with SD40's 6611 and 6615 on the siding at Kendleton. Another similar train was on UP trackage just north of McHattie. This train was loaded and had SD40's 6601 and 6612.

Matthew
The museum is supposed to get the old rail they just replaced at the north end.

[r_i_straw]

Sure hope someone can grab a few photos of the bridge repairs. That aspect has always fascinated me.

Boxcab E50Well, here they are replacing the whole works.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_2340.JPG
More photos in my album (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/1784).

[BoxcabE50]

First class! Brand new CBD. :thumbs_up:

Boxcab E50

[Flash Blackman]

Looks like a pretty good steel bridge at Wharton, Texas. Maybe they will keep that one?

[beagle_badge]

Russell,

Thanks for your pictures. I envy you living so close to the site. Heading west the next major bridge to be replaced is just east of Hungerford on Old Hwy 59. I gather since you were at the Wharton Rail Depot (the Ghost of Jim Crow pictures gave me pause) that nothing has been done to the Wharton Bridge across the Colorado River.

The Lavaca River Bridge is difficult to find. It is just west of Edna, Tx turn south on County Rd 300, about 150 yards south the road turns 90 degrees west--you have just crossed the ROW. Walk down the ROW and the bridge is about 1/4 mile.

[r_i_straw]

I gather since you were at the Wharton Rail Depot that nothing has been done to the Wharton Bridge across the Colorado River.
I did not go look at the bridge so can't say one way or another.

Today I just went out a little way till I found a train full of rail on the temporary siding.
Photos here. (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/1784/page/2)

I also noted that they have been replacing the old grade crossings that they left in place with new rail and ties.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_2370.JPG

[Flash Blackman]

I scanned the Wharton area using Google Earth. Is there any old rail to be removed and replaced with this new rail? It appeared to me that the ROW was just the road bed in most areas. Thanks.

[BoxcabE50]

Are all of the new crossings asphalted? Or do any have seemingly more permanent materials used?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

I scanned the Wharton area using Google Earth. Is there any old rail to be removed and replaced with this new rail? It appeared to me that the ROW was just the road bed in most areas. Thanks.
The rail has all be removed there. I think UP pulled it up between Wharton and Victoria while KCS pulled up everything from outside Rosenberg to the Wharton bridge.

The crossings I saw were all at county roads and were only asphalt. I don't know yet what they will put in at major highway grade crossings.

[Hytec]

CSX uses asphalt when they repair or upgrade crossings here on the Coast. Being flexible, asphalt is more resilient and lasts longer than concrete, also it is less labor intensive to install.

[grf]

I found this message board by accident trying to find any information on the old abandoned rail line that is now by refurbished. I work in Richmond and drive down 59 a couple of days a week to Wharton just to relax.

I don't know much about railroad construction, even though I've ridden Amtrak many times in the past. I love all things railroad. I have some questions, I know you all can answer for me.

1. Why are they rebuilding the track with concrete ties?

2. What is meant by ballast?

3. Where will this project eventually end up?

4. How long is it expected to take?

[Flash Blackman]

1. Why are they rebuilding the track with concrete ties?Concrete ties wear better and last longer than wooden ties. It saves money.

2. What is meant by ballast?Ballast is the rocks under the track. It allows it to drain water in wet periods and stabilizes the track and ties. Track, ties, ballast all together are called "roadbed."

3. Where will this project eventually end up?Victoria, Texas

4. How long is it expected to take?Not sure. Next summer, or so. That answer might be found earlier in this thread.

Others may have better answers to these.

Glad you stumbled on to TrainBoard and hope you will stay. We have several different forums depending on your train interest.

Welcome to TB and your first post!!:thumbs_up:

[BoxcabE50]

grf-

Welcome to TrainBoard!

2. What is meant by ballast?

Ballast for a railroad is essentially the same purpose as what you'd see done for a roadway, before concrete or asphalt is poured. Support and drainage.

Boxcab E50

[redapache59]

From the KCS web site, the line will be open late 2008 or early 2009. Earlier in the week I was in Victoria and they have started ROW clearing from the end of the line to the north. There was only 1 grader and 1 backhoe working and they had cleared about half way to the 59 overpass. I had read somewhere earlier that the line would be worked from both ends with the primary goal to get phase 1 of the intermodal center in Kendleton open. There was some work going on behind the scenes on a Victoria bypass, but the area that they just started clearing this week is in the area that would be bypassed so I guess that means that bypass may not happen until sometime in the future after the line is restored.

Has any rail been laid south of Kendleton, I haven't been up that way in about three weeks?

I have some pictures that I shot in Victoria to Rosenberg in a pre-existing album on rrpicturearchieves.

[Flash Blackman]

Do you have a link to the album? Thanks.

[redapache59]

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=30726

I think that should work.

[grf]

Y'all are great! Thanks for the information. Initially, I had thought the use of concrete ties were to implement high speed rail similar to what is used in the NE corridor on Amtrak. Now I'm just wondering if there are any plans to extend the line to Laredo and Mexico to be part of all this NAFTA stuff you read so much about. I mean, a year ago this line was an old goat trail to nowhere.

[r_i_straw]

I drove out as far as the San Bernard River today. They have installed many of the pre-stressed concrete bridge deck sections already. Still not ready for track. The rail still ends in the middle of Kendleton but the ribbon rail train is parked about a quarter mile away ready to unload. I watched them unload 30 foot sections of rail to be used for grade crossings.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_23791.JPG

[r_i_straw]

I found a Mexican engine on a gravel train just east of Kendleton.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_23802.JPG

[grf]

I drove out as far as the San Bernard River today. They have installed many of the pre-stressed concrete bridge deck sections already. Still not ready for track. The rail still ends in the middle of Kendleton but the ribbon rail train is parked about a quarter mile away ready to unload. I watched them unload 30 foot sections of rail to be used for grade crossings.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_23791.JPG

One thing I've noticed for the first time is the new "modular" construction of the San Bernard River bridge. The original bridge reminds me of an old movie with the men dodging mosquitos, aligators, and malaria to finish a bridge.

[BoxcabE50]

The original bridge reminds me of an old movie with the men dodging mosquitos, aligators, and malaria to finish a bridge.

Hmmm. Interesting thought. It might have been mentioned earlier- When was that line originally built?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Hmmm. Interesting thought. It might have been mentioned earlier- When was that line originally built?

Boxcab E50Construction began on The New York, Texas & Mexican Railway (a.k.a the "Macaroni Line") from Rosenberg to Victoria in 1881.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/NN/eqn2.html

[BoxcabE50]

At that date, they certainly could have been fighting some lousy working conditions. Such as malaria, mosquitoes, etc.

Boxcab E50

[BNSF FAN]

Thanks for continuing to post the progress updates Russell. It is really cool to follow. :) :) :)

[grf]

Construction began on The New York, Texas & Mexican Railway (a.k.a the "Macaroni Line") from Rosenberg to Victoria in 1881.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/NN/eqn2.html

I thoroughly enjoyd reading your link to the origins of the "Macaroni Line". One wonders if the new owners plans to re-initiate passenger service again to Mexico. Obviously, there's plenty of busses making the trip.

[r_i_straw]

One wonders if the new owners plans to re-initiate passenger service again to Mexico. Probably the only Varnish to grace these new rails will be KCS business cars. Would be fun to score a ride on them some time. I can always dream about it anyway. :) The KCS has been real good to us at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum, so you never know.

[reeb88]

I followed the line out from Rosenberg last Wednesday, June 4. I'll post some images here.
West end of Kendleton. Note the stacks of concrete ties.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02501.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02502.jpg

[reeb88]

Ribbon rail on dolly near the end of track:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02503.jpg

Here's the end of track in Kendleton:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02504.jpg

[reeb88]

West end of work train laying ribbon rail:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02505.jpg

East end of work train laying ribbon rail:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02506.jpg

[reeb88]

The work train was just west of the intermodal facility under construction east of Kendleton. There were a lot of loaded FURX aggregate gondolas sitting on the spur track there (possibly road base for the intermodal facility).

Here are the work train locomotives:

Lead unit on the east end (SD40-2 6618)

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02507.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02508.jpg

Lead unit on the west end of the train (SD60 7100):

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02509.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/cinko1/DSC02502.jpg
Hmmmm. Houses backed up against the r-o-w. I wonder how soon until the complaints start? :eek:

Interesting set of photos! Thanks for these views!

Boxcab E50

[Major Carrales]

Greetings Fellows,

I have long been interested in the history of railroads in South Texas as well as promoting contemporary Rail issues in the same context. My brother Anthony recently made a trip to Houston and treked along this route (namely El Campo, Wharton) and was shocked to see the activity. He called me with the news. I then found this forum.

I have read through this post with glee and wonderment, however, I am a bit behind. I do not with to spur the ire of some by going over well-trodden soil, however, I have a few questions?

1) Will the construction end at Victoria?

2) What is the main motivation for rebuilding this line?

3) Does this motivation deal with alternate routes to Laredo or the Rio Grande Valley?

4) If so, why not extend the line Beeville, Mathis and Alice, Texas where it can link up to the Tex-Mex?

5) Heck...why not continue the line down the old Falfurrias Branch of the SA&AP to the Valley and relieve the congestion on the UP line through Kingsville?

As you can see, I have an interest, if not an agenda, to see rails in my area. Anyone know this or care to sepcuate. Contray positions welcomed.

Thanks,
Carrales

[r_i_straw]

Welcome Carrales.

Going way back to the Southern Pacific/Union Pacific merger, part of the approval for the deal was that Kansas City Southern would have track rights over the UP to get to Corpus Christi and hook up with the Texas Mexican Railroad which KCS has a controlling interest in. KCS has since gained control of the Mexican railroad TFM which connects to the Tex Mex. The old line from Rosenberg to Victoria was largely abandoned by the UP before they sold the right of way to the KCS. From the time of the merger until present the KCS has traveled on the UP from the Beaumont, Texas area west to Flatonia, Texas where it turns south on the old San Antonio & Aransas Pass trackage that UP owns. From there it heads down to Victoria and then over to Corpus Christi all on UP tracks before crossing over to the Tex Mex (its home rails). The new tracks will only run between Rosenberg and Victoria where the KCS will again run on UP to get to Corpus. However this will cut many miles of running on the UP where they are up against a lot of Sunset Route traffic. KCS also is building a large intermodal facility along their new route to sort and stage loads for different trains. At this time there are no plans to build more of their own tracks beyond Victoria.

[reeb88]

From Victoria, UP still uses part of the line to serve the power plant near Fannin. It has been many years since I last traveled along the line west of Victoria, but I can tell from Google Earth that there are no tracks in place beyond the power plant spur at Fannin. I am sure that if KCS wanted to replace the line all the way to Alice, this portion would be retained by UP. Does anyone know who much trackage east from Victoria that UP plans to retain ownership of?

[r_i_straw]

Does anyone know who much trackage east from Victoria that UP plans to retain ownership of?UP still uses the old MoPac line from Bloomington, just south of Victoria, back east to Algoa just south of Houston. The continuation of that same MoPac line west of Bloomington is what KCS now uses to get to Corpus Christi. The KCS owns all the old SP right of way into Victoria where the old yard was. However it is doubted that the old yard will be restored in any way due to all the grade crossings. They would not want to hold trains there waiting to get on the UP tracks because of all the blocked crossings. They will probably try to put in a siding farther out of town to the east to hold trains where there are no crossings to avoid riling up the public. They would like to put a bypass around Victoria but the locals want top dollar for an right of way purchases and so far it seems the railroad can not justify that.

[beagle_badge]

STB Finance Docket No. 33914
TEXAS MEXICAN RAILWAY COMPANY
—PURCHASE EXEMPTION—
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
Decided: December 8, 2000
By petition filed on August 11, 2000, and supplemented on October 3, 2000, Texas
Mexican Railway Company (Tex Mex or petitioner) seeks an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502
from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323-25, to acquire from Union Pacific
Railroad Company (UP) and to operate the Rosenberg Line (the Line). The Line is an 84.5-mile
line of railroad between milepost 87.0 near Victoria and milepost 2.5 near Rosenberg, in Jackson,
Victoria, Wharton, and Fort Bend Counties, TX. Tex Mex requests that the exemption include
its acquisition from UP of approximately 6.3 miles of overhead trackage rights at both ends of
the Rosenberg Line, between milepost 0.0 and milepost 2.5 and between milepost 87.0 and
milepost 90.8.1 Additionally, Tex Mex requests permission to move the traffic that will originate
or terminate on the Rosenberg Line pursuant to the overhead trackage rights acquired in the 1996
decision that approved the merger of UP and Southern Pacific Transportation Company (SP).
See Union Pacific/Southern Pacific Merger, 1 S.T.B. 233 (1996) (UP/SP), aff’d sub nom.
Western Coal Traffic League v. STB, 169 F.3d 775 (D.C. Cir. 1999).

beagle

[Major Carrales]

Thank you, everyone, for this information. I will wacth this post as well as the construction efforts on the Rosenberg Line.

So, for speculation purposes, is it an even viable hope in some unfolding of the future to expect that the KCS (or UP) would ever explore a rebuilding of the line to Mathis, if not Alive, Texas? Would that be of any benefit to KCS? A direct line sort of speak to the old TEX MEX Corpus Christi to Laredo Route. Be advised that these are merely pipedreams on my part.

[r_i_straw]

is it an even viable hope in some unfolding of the future to expect that the KCS (or UP) would ever explore a rebuilding of the line to Mathis, if not Alive, Texas? Would that be of any benefit to KCS? It all depends on who owns the right of way. If a railroad still owns it there may be a possibility, especially if there was a lot of local traffic to be generated. If ownership has transfered to adjacent land owners like usually happens, then I would say it is highly unlikely. If NAFTA traffic picks up to an extent that capacity on the existing lines is overwhelmed, I believe the railroads would find it easier to double track the existing right of ways.

[Major Carrales]

Any updates or new photographs of the progress?

[BoxcabE50]

It all depends on who owns the right of way. If a railroad still owns it there may be a possibility, especially if there was a lot of local traffic to be generated. If ownership has transfered to adjacent land owners like usually happens, then I would say it is highly unlikely. If NAFTA traffic picks up to an extent that capacity on the existing lines is overwhelmed, I believe the railroads would find it easier to double track the existing right of ways.

It depends upon how they took it out of service. What year was that line segment removed? If late enough, it might have come under Rails-To-Trails regulations. Worst case scenario, and if traffic demands existed, they could get into a noisy, expensive eminent domain fight.

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Nothing for me lately. I am in Kentucky.;)

[reeb88]

Just in looking at the ROW on Google Earth west of Victoria I can see that KCS might have a NIMBY fight on its hands, especially around Goliad. With little capacity concerns on UP's line south of Victoria, rebuilding between Victoria and Alice appears unlikely at this time.

[Major Carrales]

Just in looking at the ROW on Google Earth west of Victoria I can see that KCS might have a NIMBY fight on its hands, especially around Goliad. With little capacity concerns on UP's line south of Victoria, rebuilding between Victoria and Alice appears unlikely at this time.

Thank you for your honest reply. I depend on such candor to curb the flow of "wishful thinking" that clouds my look at South Texas Railroading.

You see, some of my earliest memories are of my Grandmother taking me to see trains passing in Premont (my home), which is a bit south on the old SAAP line. Any rebuit trackage sparks a good deal of nostalgia.

[reeb88]

I understand Major. I feel the same way about the Rock's Choctaw Route through the Panhandle.

[r_i_straw]

Rail still ends in Kendleton, but the bridge over the San Bernard is ready just west of town. Most activity is on the east side of Kendleton where they are working on the intermodal yard. Lots of earth moving and tracks going in. They were tamping and leveling rail and ballast between UP tracks and Spur 10 outside Rosenberg. Looks like a finished railroad there.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_2487.JPG
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_24881.JPG

[Flash Blackman]

Russell:

Is that a walkway along the length of the new bridge?

[r_i_straw]

Not very wide. I would not want to be standing on it if a train was going by at 50 MPH. However there is probably enough room for crew members to walk along to inspect a stopped train.

[BoxcabE50]

Any current construction progress reports?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Any current construction progress reports?

Boxcab E50Still pretty much the same as reported in post #114 above.

[reeb88]

Any reason I'm seeing a KCS trains northbound on the UP's Austin Sub lately? Problems on the Sunset Route?

[Ed M]

FriscoBob posted this on another thread in this forum earlier today, but the part about the Rosenberg/Victoria line probably bears repeating in this thread. Just to add it to the info already presented.

Information from Kansas City Southern BB&T Transportation Conference Report:


1. Plan to complete rebuilding of ex S.P. line from Rosenberg to Victoria and put into operation by late 2008 or early 2009
a. 84.5 miles long (will be significantly shorter than route thru Flatonia)
b. Will eliminate routing KCS trains thru Flatonia
c. 89 public crossings & 66 private crossings
d. 136 lb rail
e. 223,000 concrete ties
f. 491,000 tons of ballast
g. 23 timber bridges replaced by culverts
h. 15 open deck timber bridges being repaired
i. 32 new open deck ballast bridges built
j. Reconstruct Colorado & Lavaca River bridges

Thanks to Bob for initially posting this info.

[r_i_straw]

Have not heard anything unusual going on over the Sunset so it could just have been UP or BNSF borrowing some KCS power.

On the Macaroni, I watched them load ballast hoppers from gondolas and them pull short little trains with track mobiles over to where they were raising the rail level by pouring ballast over them and then tamping it up underneath. I don't know how anything was able to run on the rails as they were buried out of site.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_2515.JPG
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_25201.JPG
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/Tug.jpg
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/Turkey.jpg
Rail still ends in Kendleton at Farm Road 2919.

[BNSF FAN]

Is that a crane without the boom being used as power for those cool ballast cars?

[r_i_straw]

Yup, I don't know if it has traction motors or a drive shaft but can pull seven whole loaded hoppers at about 5 miles per hour. :)

[Hytec]

Regarding using cranes as rail power...Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS has 3 or 4 rail mobile cranes with electro-magnetic units in place of hooks. These cranes go out to the CSX interchange yard and pick up flat cars loaded with steel. They bring the flats to welding or machine shops on the shipyard where they use the electro-magnet to unload the steel, then return the empty flats to the interchange yard. This allows Ingalls to release the cars back to the railroad within 24 hours, avoiding demurrrage charges.

IIRC, the cranes had hydraulic drives, but I don't know if they were axle mounted or through a shaft.

I can't get photos of this process because I'm no longer authorized on the shipyard since I retired...sorry.

[Major Carrales]

Thanks everyone for the updates.

[r_i_straw]

I don't know how long this link will last but the local news is trying to put a positive spin on things.
My Victoria Online - Progress on Rail Line (http://www.myvictoriaonline.com/content/view/979829/28/)

[BoxcabE50]

Interesting link. Not a bad job of reporting, done by that station.

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

There has been a discussion on the Yahoo TNO Groop about the use of concrete ties. It was noted there that wood ties will be used around El Campo and Victoria because of the possibility that those tracks may be rerouted to bypass those comunities. That all depends if KCS can get funding from TxDot, FRA or the building of the I-69 corridor. Also noted was right of way clearing going on in Jacson and Victoria Counties.

[BoxcabE50]

Also noted was right of way clearing going on in Jacson and Victoria Counties.

Maybe someone can get us a current photo tour?

Boxcab E50

[Major Carrales]

There has been a discussion on the Yahoo TNO Groop about the use of concrete ties. It was noted there that wood ties will be used around El Campo and Victoria because of the possibility that those tracks may be rerouted to bypass those comunities. That all depends if KCS can get funding from TxDot, FRA or the building of the I-69 corridor. Also noted was right of way clearing going on in Jacson and Victoria Counties.

Could you post or PM me those links.

I-69 interests me in that it will come very close to me.

[r_i_straw]

The TNO Yahoo group is at

TNO : Texas New Orleans Railroad (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TNO/)

I think you can read the messages without joining.

[r_i_straw]

I went for a long field trip today all the way to Victoria and back to check things out. The rail still ends in the middle of Kendleton although there is still a lot of activity beyond such as grading the approaches to the new San Bernard bridge and installation of metal culvert pipes farther west. There was an old trestle pulled out just west of Wharton but after that nothing could be seen until about the Wharton/Jackson County line. The ROW clearing and trestle work picked up again. In Wharton County there were still areas where the ROW was still crossed by barbed wire fences and cattle were grazing on it. There were places where farm implement dealers were using it to display their wares. This is just west of Hillje. Combines and ferilizer tanks all lined up on RR property.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_26031.JPG
In Victoria I found where the end of UP track was east of town. They still bring hoppers in to a customer way out on the east end.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1784/IMG_2595.JPG
There are lots of piles of new ties and track building supplies along the cleared ROW east of the end of track. As you can see from the photo above the UP track is in pretty bad shape and will need major work before they start hosting a lot of KCS trains. On this Google link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=28.822699,-96.94557&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr) you can see just how far the UP track goes in the upper right, before it ends where the light colored ballast is no longer visible.
And then there was one business farther east that had put in a new concrete driveway right across the ROW. Either they never heard what is happening, they know something we don't about a bypass around Victoria or they are playing games with the railroad.
There are a lot more new photos posted on the last page in my album (http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/1784).

[BNSF FAN]

Thanks for the continued updates russel. Must be neat to watch this line be reborn. :) :) :)

[BoxcabE50]

What weight is that UP rail?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

What weight is that UP rail?
Sorry, I really don't know. No where near as tall as the welded ribbon rail that KCS is installing. On the Rosenberg end, UP just replaced ties as needed and cleaned and re-tamped the ballast. Still the same old light weight jointed rail. So, I assume that is all they will do on the Victoria end. I doubt they will let KCS go too fast on it but it is in an urban area with lots of crossings. Once they get out of town on their own track they should be able to high ball for sure. These old rice farmers will have to learn about fast trains as anything they would remember from the old SP days was probably waddleing along at a pretty slow rate. There will probably be a slew of grade crossing incidents when the KCS gets cranked up.

[BoxcabE50]

There will probably be a slew of grade crossing incidents when the KCS gets cranked up.

Probably. And will be blamed on everything except the stupid vehicle drivers.

Boxcab E50

[Major Carrales]

Probably. And will be blamed on everything except the stupid vehicle drivers.

Boxcab E50

This has always made me angry. Most times the fault lies with the driver of the vehicle who want's to save a "few minutes" instead of "saving a few lives." I recall a radio PSA that used the motto "Never race a train, because even if you tie...you lose!!!"

Thank everyone for the updates.

[drawbar]

Just a Victoria note. The first KCS ribbon rail train was delivered 8-18 to Victoria and unloaded. They are starting to work north. Sorry no pics.

[r_i_straw]

Maybe yet a bypass.
Victoria Advocate - More train traffic (http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/847/story/303703.html)

[BoxcabE50]

Looks like the usual comments from a public that just has little clue about reality. I'm sure there'll be more...

Boxcab E50

[Traindork]

I've heard that BNSF is helping pay for the rebuilding of this line. Anybody know anything about that?

[boomer48]

Driving to Rosenberg yesteray, I noticed rail ties stacked on the rail bed from the West side of the West Bernard Creek bridge. just out of Hungerford, all the way into Kendleton. Anyone know if they are going to replace the
West Bernard Creek bridge? Don't see any activity as of yet that they plan to replace it.

[BoxcabE50]

boomer48-

Welcome to TrainBoard!

One of our members had been watching events and progress on this line. However, he was effected by the recent hurricane. So at present is unavailable. After he is back up and running, perhaps he can uncover some details.

Boxcab E50

[silvanski]

Hi all,
I found this forum when googling for news about the railroad construction going on in my area.
I live in the small community of Telferner, a few miles north-east of Victoria, TX) and I can tell you that work on the revived line has seen steady progress.

They're laying tracks outbound alongside the US Highway 59 Bus, and are at the moment near the overpass of the Victoria Loop.

If you want I can go take some pictures and post them in this forum.

[silvanski]

For my job I often have to travel as far as El Campo...
I've seen that the old rail bed has been cleared of brushes .. Old wooden bridges spanning creeks have been replaced by concrete-timber constructions alongside Hwy 59 ...

Here in Telferner the same thing's been going on for the past month. The fence on a lot next to our only convenience store annex gas station had to be moved to make way for the line.

[BoxcabE50]

silvanski-

Welcome to TrainBoard!

Progress reports always welcome. It's been quite interesting, following this line revival.

Boxcab E50

[silvanski]

Thanks Boxcab:thumbs_up:, I'll keep an eye on things going on around here

[Major Carrales]

Hi all,
I found this forum when googling for news about the railroad construction going on in my area.
I live in the small community of Telferner, a few miles north-east of Victoria, TX) and I can tell you that work on the revived line has seen steady progress.

They're laying tracks outbound alongside the US Highway 59 Bus, and are at the moment near the overpass of the Victoria Loop.

If you want I can go take some pictures and post them in this forum.

Hello,

I live in Premont, Texas...but have been a railfan for years.

I am also a member of the Civil Air Patrol and often have dealings at the Victoria Regional Airport. I often exit on that Telferner exit to get to the Airport.

I assume then that they will be using that right-of-way that "skits" the airport (old Foster A.F.B.). I also noticed that there were once spur lines that used to go into the airport.

Take care.

[BoxcabE50]

Any interesting progress lately?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Have not been out that way in a while. On the 12th I did drive over the Spur 10 overpass on my way back from San Antonio. The temporary siding made of metal ties is gone and the sections with the concrete ties are welded back in place where the panel switches had been. Looks like a real railroad again.

[BoxcabE50]

Will winter weather slow work much in your part of the country?

Boxcab E50

[r_i_straw]

Will winter weather slow work much in your part of the country?

Boxcab E50Not much. If there is real heavy rain, an ice storm or a rare snow they may knock off for a day or so. A few years ago, Victoria had about a foot of snow on Christmas eve. We got about half that up on this end of the line. By night fall on Christmas day it was almost all melted away.

[silvanski]

The new tracks are approaching Telferner, where they closed off access from FM1686 to Hwy59 in order to construct a crossing. We won't be blocked as there's a way to bypass this railroad crossing.

Between the loop (463) and the airport tracks run 3 wide. From 463 overpassing 59bus you can have a nice view

[beagle_badge]

I just revisited the various construction sites along the Victoria/Rosenberg line and have posted new pictures. I tried to get comparable shots from my visit last April. There were two major bridges in need of rebuilding. The bridge at Wharton across the Colorado River is not yet touched. The bridge across the Lavaca River is complete. Similarly, one of the two long timber trestles has been completed (Kendleton) whereas, the long trestle at Hungerford is not yet started.

Other than these two "original" bridge/trestle almost all others are either completed or under construction. I found only one other untouched trestle at Ganado and 3 or 4 small timber trestles which will probably be replaced by culverts.

The current construction on the Rosenberg end is focused on the Kendleton intermodal yard. The construction based in Victoria is moving massive amounts of sub ballast, ballast, and clearing of westbound ROW.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/10433

beagle

[Flash Blackman]

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/97901/ppuser/10433
Great pictures and thanks for posting.

I think that everyone of the newly constructed bridges is a ballasted type bridge. It has a sense of permanence.

Does this mean that Victoria, Texas is going to become a railfan hot spot?

[Traindork]

Yes, great pictures. Thank you. I've been seeing lots of KCS ballast trains rolling thru Houston. Now that the weather is nice and gas is under $2 a gallon, I may make a trip down the whole line. I'll be sure to bring my camera.

[BoxcabE50]

I'll be sure to bring my camera.

:eek: If you don't, then the photo opportunity of a lifetime is guaranteed to be there. Murphy's Law....

Boxcab E50

[BoxcabE50]

Great pictures and thanks for posting.

Yes. I'm really enjoying views of the project. They are doing this job first class in all aspects.

Boxcab E50

[boomer48]

According to the October 8, 2008 edition of the Wharton Journal-Spectator, KCS spokesman Mike Sizemore said that the historic bridge crossing the Colorado River at Wharton will be the last to be completed. He said the historic look will be maintained.

[Hytec]

This was posted on the Trains Newswire.....


KCS, Texas DOT to examine relocating line

Published: Thursday, November 06, 2008
VICTORIA, Texas - Kansas City Southern and the Texas Department of Transportation will investigate relocating the former Southern Pacific alignment through El Campo and Victoria. The possible relocations are taking place as KCS continues to reopen the SP line was part of its link to Mexico.

Kansas City Southern Executive Vice President-Corporate Affairs Warren Erdman told the Victoria Advocate that the agreement would help select the actual bypass routes and give the railroad a better idea of the exact cost, which will be financed by KCS. "Currently, we are doing engineering work in El Campo," Erdman said. "We hope to have some of that wrapped up in the next couple of weeks, and then we're going to move down to Victoria to begin the engineering work."

That should be completed next year and discussions will then begin with the landowners in the path of the bypass. "We will probably start doing property acquisition next year," Erdman said. "Once the entire right-of-way is assembled, then we could begin construction."

Erdman said he's hopeful the right-of-way matters can be wrapped up in a year. "Once we have the right-of-way ready to go, the construction is the easier part of it because we already have construction crews deployed in South Texas," he said.