Western Railroad Discussion > Segment of BNSF Fort Scott Sub. to get 2nd main

Construction work was started in recent days on the planned reinstallation of a second main line track on the BNSF Railway's Fort Scott Subdivision in extreme Eastern Kansas. Crews with a Colorado construction firm were busy at work today with right of way work. I happened to stop by their location about 2 miles south of Spring Hill, Kan., shortly before a northbound mixed manifest train passed by. 

About 10 miles of track for a second main will be constructed from Bonita, Kan., to a point about 1 mile south of Hillsdale, Kan.  Thiis segment of Main Two was removed by the former Frisco Railroad in 1965 or 50 years ago.

Having only one main in this area has created a longtime bottleneck, especially when a regular local works during the day at an industrial park on the north side of Spring Hill. The industrial park did not exist when the second main was removed back in '65.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/15 18:13 by JoCoLB.

---

---

---

A considerable amount of trees, brush and undergrowth have already been bulldozed out in some areas along the track area to be rebuilt.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/15 18:19 by JoCoLB.

---

In anticipation of the track reinstallation work, a second set of bridge piers for the new main were constructed in 2009 when a new underpass was created on 223rd St. about 1 mile south of Spring Hill.

I understand the second new bridge was installed just a few weeks ago. The picture of the second bridge was taken today, Aug. 3, 2015. The picture of the unused piers was taken on April 5, 2014. 

A workman told me that the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. The work is expected to proceed fast because there will not be a high percentage of earth work --- just cleaning up the right of way and dressing up the previously abandoned trackbed. Culverts remain in place from 50 years ago.


A big challenge in the early construction work will be relocation of a fiber optic cable line that was laid on the alignment of the "new'" Main Two. It is to be relaid soon on the west side of Main One. The fiber optic cable was put down just a few years ago. Someone evidently didn't think the second main would ever be rebuilt. Glad it is only a 10-mile project and not 100 miles.

It will be interesting to eventually watch the new main line track being laid with automated equipment. Don't see that too often in Kansas.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/15 05:46 by JoCoLB.

---

---

The last picture in the series shows a BNSF track inspector making a southbound run at mid-day today while traveling over the first bridge spanning 223rd St.

(All photos by Larry Byers)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/15 05:47 by JoCoLB.

---

Always nice to see Mr. Buffett building for the future, and not tearing things out. === === = === JLH

Track between came out during Louis Menk Administration.  Katy had just discontinued its two trains in June,65, and the Frisco would soon be down to just the Southland .  I had heard Menk had wanted to take out more of the double track,but was advised against it;advice which he prudently followed.