UP
UP has been serving Roehm’s new methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant in Texas since April, providing access to key Western markets across 23 states, as well as Mexico and Canada, the railroad reported July 8.
The plant took a little over two years to build and began production in March. It represents a major investment in the local community, creating an estimated 80 direct jobs, according to the Class I railroad. The MMA produced there is used to manufacture several products, including paints, adhesives, medical products, and aircraft glazing, for the automotive, construction and medical technology industries. It is said to utilize “industry-leading technology that produces high yields with low-energy consumption and reduced wastewater volumes.”
“We’re excited to welcome Roehm’s new plant to our premier rail network, and we look forward to growing together for decades to come,” said Kenny Rocker, Executive Vice President–Marketing and Sales for UP.
In related industrial development news, 5V, a newly formed partnership between Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC and Viserion Grain, LLC, is developing a new UP-served facility in Dalhart, Tex.
CPKC
“Congratulations to the Portage, Wis., Signals & Communications team on reaching nine years injury-free—a true testament to their safety-first mindset and team-driven culture,” CPKC reported in July 8 social media posts. This 11-person crew, it said, covers a wide territory from La Crosse to Milwaukee, Wis., playing “a vital role in keeping rail operations running smoothly and safely.”
“The team drives safety amongst themselves,” CPKC Manager Signals & Communications Ralph Wilson was reported as saying in the posts. “If someone doesn’t understand something, they quickly reach out to their counterpart to discuss it before proceeding. The team is always drilling down for more information to make the best choice when it comes to safety.”
CPKC’s Alyth Car Shop also recently marked a safety milestone: one year FRA-injury free.
BNSF
BNSF on July 8 reported via social media that it is wrapping up its multi-year expansion project at the Cicero Intermodal Facility in Illinois. Slated to “bring more capacity, better flow and greater efficiency” to support customers, its final phase is expected to be completed later this summer.
Now under construction is the Austin Boulevard bridge, which connects the Ceco ramp and Ogden ramp within the facility, according to the railroad.
Last fall, BNSF reported completing:
- A new production track adding 4,530 feet of capacity.
- 43,000 feet of reconstructed receiving yard track for an optimized layout.
- A new trailer parking lot adding more than 470 parking stalls.
- A new hostler repair shop.
- A new 100-foot diameter turntable.
“Our teams significantly reduced excavation for this project by optimizing site grading, recycling existing pavement, and testing and repurposing excess soil on an adjacent BNSF site, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 5,971 metric tons,” the Class I stated in an X post in November. “Additionally, through collaboration with the local municipality, our team designed and constructed a stormwater detention system that greatly enhances the local community by effectively controlling stormwater runoff.”
