May 15, 2012
Track work continues at a brisk pace.  Workers measured, cut, and installed rail as part of the construction of the switch that connects the main and runaround tracks just south of Cotton Gin Road.  Refer to the photo album below to see the various tasks associated with constructing the switch. 

Once the switch is complete, workers will begin construction on the remainder of the turnouts located at the south end of the Museum’s track alignment.  Switch ties have already been laid out at this location, and the positioning of “frogs” (the actual point of divergence of the rails) determined.

May 12, 2012
Construction of switches at the Museum’s new Frisco site began this week.  A total of six switches in addition to BNSF’s main line switch will be built in this phase of construction.  This is a much slower and tedious process than basic track work.  There is much planning and geometry involved in building a switch.  The placement and degree of turnout is critical to the overall track layout. 

The number of switches in Phase IA track construction was dictated by their location in the lead, main, and runaround tracks.  Two switches will connect the main and runaround tracks at each end, while other switches will simply be stub-ended until later phases of construction.  It was recently decided to add an additional (sixth) switch to this first phase of track work in order to complete grading and application of sub-base material at the south end of the Museum property (behind the Frisco Discovery Center).  This additional switch is the turnout for the Museum’s shop track lead that will ultimately connect to a permanent restoration and maintenance facility (see tracks 9 and 10 in the Museum Site Plan).

May 8, 2012
Grading and application of sub-base material for the Museum’s lead track to BNSF’s main line is now complete.  RPMX Construction, the grading sub-contractor to Venus Construction, completed the alignment on Tuesday.  Work included grading, spreading and compaction of crushed concrete for the track bed, as well as extensive drainage correction. 

An existing berm just to the west of the Museum’s new lead was narrowed in order to achieve adequate width for the alignment, maintain a 3:1 slope, and provide for drainage.  Elevation of the berm was maintained for nearly all of its length.  Trees will be planted at the south end of the berm to maintain screening of adjacent areas. 

A culvert was installed as part of the lead track project to provide for adequate draining on either side of the alignment.  Our thanks to BNSF for coordinating the movement of rail traffic along their line during construction. 

Following the installation of BNSF’s main line switch, construction of the Museum’s lead track will begin.  This should take place in the next few weeks, at which time the Museum’s trackage will be connected with the general system of rail lines.

May 4, 2012
Track work at many points along the site has progressed to the point of spreading ballast (rock) in preparation for final alignment.  The new track sits on a six inch base of crushed concrete.  It will ultimately rest on an additional six inches of ballast once work is complete.  The ballast is simply dumped on top of the track in quantities sufficient to be eventually worked underneath and fill the spaces between the ties. 

Crushed granite was selected as the ballast material for its longevity and appearance.  Once all of the track and switches are complete, the granite will be tamped.  Tamping is a process by which the track is raised through the ballast by a machine known as a “Tamper”.  The ballast is then worked under the ties and compacted, bringing the track to its final elevation and alignment.  Following this process, a regulator machine then dresses the surface of the ballast even with the tops of the ties and creates a clean edge on both sides of the track.  The result is perfectly tangent or curved track that is resting on a compacted surface to prevent settling from the weight of trains.  The ballast also promotes proper draining of rainwater to reduce deterioration of the crossties. 

Additional track and switch construction will take place over the next few weeks.  Ballast will be applied to these areas as work is completed. The tamper and regulator machines will arrive at the site in a few weeks.  These machines will operate on the new track, moving slowly along as they perform their duties.  This will be the final process before the track is approved for use and equipment begins to move from Dallas. 

Martin Marietta Materials generously provided ballast (over 2,600 tons) at a greatly reduced cost.  Trucks from the City of Frisco’s Public Works Department transported the ballast from Martin Marietta’s Frisco facility to the Museum’s site at no cost.  We are very grateful to Martin Marietta and the City of Frisco for their generosity and support.

March 30, 2012:
Trac-Work, Inc. made significant progress at the Frisco site this week.  By this afternoon, over 1,600 feet of track materials had been placed, gauged, and spiked on the Museum’s main line.  Ultimately, this track will stretch 2,000 feet from Cotton Gin Road to the westernmost end.  Work will begin soon on the runaround track, including five turnouts. 

Grading for the final section of track that connects with BNSF’s main line will begin next week.  Once the sub-base roadbed material is applied and compacted, Trac-Work will construct the Museum’s lead track, ultimately connecting the site with the general system.

March 27, 2012:
Finally, track construction begins in Frisco!  Workers with Trac-Work, Inc. began placing new crossties on the westernmost end of what will become the Museum’s tail track.  The first 300 feet of track material was put in place today as part of a 4,000 foot Phase IA track construction project. 

Construction will progress in a northeast direction through the Museum site and eventually connect with BNSF’s main line to the north of Cotton Gin Road.  Five turnouts (switches) will be constructed in place, along with the Museum’s runaround track.  Work is expected to take 30-40 days, weather permitting. 

While the ties are new, the rail is being recycled from the Santa Fe (originally Kansas City, Mexico & Orient) Line near San Angelo, Texas.  The rail was produced by Colorado Fuel & Iron mills in Pueblo, and the Gary Steel Works near Chicago between 1918 and 1920.  Weighing 90 lbs/yard (a unit of measurement for rail), the 39-foot sections will be bolted in place as track work progresses.  The Museum’s rolling stock collection currently rests on 65-85 lb rail at Fair Park.  Today’s industry standard for mainline railroads is 130-150 lbs/yard.

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.