February 9, 2012:
Final preparation of the roadbed for Phase IA trackage is nearing completion.  The final layer of the crushed concrete sub-base material is being applied and graded as seen in this view taken today.  The sub-base will have a 2% lateral grade for drainage purposes.  Once the sub-base passes final tests for density and compaction, track work will begin.

January 24, 2012:
Work continues at the Frisco site, however, unforeseen construction issues and several rain events have contributed to delays in the project.  Nearly one foot of rain has fallen at the site since our last update of November 1. 

Fortunately, Mother Nature has been kind to the project over the last couple of weeks.  Crews with Venus Construction and its subcontractor RPM have been working diligently, including weekends, to make up for delays.  Final grading has been completed on the site itself, and soil compaction tests for the track bed have yielded positive results. 

Final grading has begun on the Museum’s lead track between Cotton Gin Road and the point at which it will connect with BNSF to the north.  This work includes removal/realignment of berms just north of Cotton Gin and installation of a drainage culvert along the BNSF.  

Our contractors are now applying geotech fabric and a six inch crushed concrete base for the lead, tail, and runaround tracks.  As of this writing, 90% of the roadbed has been prepared.  Weather permitting, the entire roadbed is expected to be completed by the end of January, at which time track work will begin.

We receive dozens of inquiries each day regarding the status of construction and when the collection will move to its new home.  Once track work begins, the site will take on a whole new look.  The Museum will begin to take shape and the historic cars and locomotives will finally make the trek to Frisco.  We will keep our stakeholders and interested parties apprised of progress at the site.  We look forward to completing Phase IA of construction in the near future. 

November 1, 2011:
Despite several rain delays, construction has progressed at the new Frisco site.  The storm drainage portion of the project is now complete and final grading is underway.  Estimated completion of grading and preparation of the sub-base for Phase IA trackage is early December, at which time our track contractor will move onsite. 

Trac-Work, Inc. of Ennis is expected to begin construction December 1, overlapping somewhat with Venus, our General Contractor. Over 12,000 feet of rail, including material for five switches, along with nearly 2,600 new crossties have been delivered to the site for installation. Estimated completion of Phase IA track work is 30 days from commencement.  The scope of work includes installation of lead, tail, and runaround track, along with partial construction of exhibit tracks 3, 4, and 7, totaling 3,795 linear feet. 

The main line switch was delivered by BNSF Railway in late October and will be installed following completion of the Museum’s lead track.  The switch, a #11 turnout, will be located on the BNSF main line approximately 450 feet north of Cotton Gin Road. 

Upon installation of the BNSF switch, the Museum’s new trackage will be physically connected to the general system of rail lines.  Once the Museum’s Phase IA trackage is complete, transportation of the rolling stock collection will commence.  Assuming no further weather related delays, movement of the rolling stock onto the new site will begin late December/early January. 

Permanent security fencing has been fabricated and awaits installation at the site.  The 7-foot high ornamental iron fence will surround the 12.34 acre footprint with gates at appropriate locations to provide ingress egress for rail equipment and visitors.       

Additional Phase IA work includes water and sewer adjustments, relocation of existing driveways, and erosion control.  Estimated completion of all Phase IA work is early 2012. 

Along with the rolling stock collection, the Museum’s historic structures will be moved to Frisco when Phase IA construction nears completion.  Working closely with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in Austin, plans have been finalized for movement of the H&TC Depot and Santa Fe Interlocking Tower 19.  The Final Site Plan provides for placement of these structures on permanent foundations in the same cardinal direction as their original orientation. 

We are currently soliciting funds for Phase IB work, which includes completion of six of the eight exhibit tracks.  This will allow the 40-piece rolling stock collection to be repositioned, moving from Phase IA to IB trackage for permanent display.

August 1, 2011:
With initial site preparation complete in mid-July, work has begun on the storm drainage portion of the project.  There is more work than meets the eye, as storm water runoff from the re-graded site and adjacent property at the Frisco Discovery Center must be collected and directed into nearby Stewart Creek to the south.  This requires over 18 acres of surface area to be funneled into a massive drainage culvert that is being installed along the southwest alignment of the site.  Subsurface work entails installation of the main culvert and smaller tributaries through a cut-and-cover process.  Photos below show most of the onsite materials associated with the project as well as key components during installation. 

The drainage portion of the project is scheduled to be complete by August 15.  The final site preparation will then take place, including installation of the roadbed for Phase 1 trackage.  Upon completion, our contractor, Trac-Work, Inc. of Ennis, will move onsite and begin laying track and constructing switches.  Track materials have already begun arriving onsite, including rail and crossties.  Some 3,800 feet of lead, tail, and runaround track, including five switches, will be installed as part of Phase 1A construction.  Trac-Work’s portion of the project is expected to be completed by year's end, at which time BNSF will install a switch in their main line to connect with the museum’s lead track.  BNSF has graciously agreed to donate the labor and materials associated with installation of the switch.   

The museum’s rolling stock collection is being prepared for movement and is scheduled to make the trek to Frisco late this year.  We will endeavor to post information regarding scheduled movements of each piece in the collection as it becomes available.
  
Crews for Venus Construction Company and its subcontractors have worked tirelessly through record heat to keep the project on schedule.  Our sincere thanks and appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

 July 1, 2011:
We have had many inquiries regarding the museum’s construction project in Frisco.  It is very gratifying for us to see the outpouring of interest and support for our new home.  We will provide periodic updates about the project and attempt to explain the various stages of construction as it progresses. 

Following the May 31 groundbreaking, work at the Frisco site has continued in earnest.  Sub-contractors for Venus Construction Company have been clearing and grading the site.  A considerable amount of elevation work is necessary for drainage correction and achieving the 1% or less gradient specified for the museum trackage. 

A culvert will be installed at the southwest corner of the property to provide for drainage of the site and adjacent areas.  Once installation of the culvert is complete, final grading of the tail track rail bed will take place.  The rail bed for the lead and runaround tracks will also be prepared, with six inches of sub-base ballast installed just prior to laying Phase 1A track.