March 15, 2024 - TRA Newswire -

A recent shipment of wind turbine blades from a Colorado manufacturer to delivery at the Port of Brownsville, Texas broke an all-time record for a shipment by rail as it traveled through the state.

From the Windsor Blades factory in Colorado, the lengthy train made its way starting with short line operator OmniTRAX. The train was then long-hauled down through the rocky mountain state and Texas by BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, finally ending at the Port of Brownsville. 

Vestas, the manufacturer, celebrated the movement of the longest high-capacity 4.5 megawatt wind turbine blades, which measured some 264 feet long over a major rail service network. 

OmniTRAX added that it partnered with Vestas for this shipment at the origination and the destination. Great Western Railway (GWR) kicked the transport off in Windsor, CO, and the shipment terminated at the company’s Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) at the Port of Brownsville, Texas.

“We are seeing a significant increase in wind turbine rail shipments. Thanks to our vast routing options for oversized moves, flexible shipping approach and logistics expertise, we are well-equipped to meet the needs of wind shippers. And our team is proud to help support the growth of the wind energy market,” said Emma Sethe, sales manager at Union Pacific.

Wind energy is the largest renewable energy source in the U.S. and is growing at a rapid pace. Wind turbine farms in West Texas can attest to that fact. 

Wind generates enough electricity to offset consumption of nearly 30 million average American homes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Rail also plays a major role in the logistics strategy at  Siemens Gamesa, a supplier of wind power solutions. Kenny Brady, Siemens Gamesa rail logistics coordinator, said, “Shipping wind turbines by rail is an important part of our logistics strategy. Rail shipments allow us to reduce overall transportation risks and, in some cases, improve cost. The ability to transport multiple components (blades, towers, etc.) per train on a fixed network allows us to reduce our footprint while also reducing the risk of damaging components, and it improves reliable deliveries to our customers.”

Photo credit: Vestas