New BNSF San Antonio yard improves US-Mex connectivity
September 15th, 2016
September 15, 2016 - TRA Newswire -
BNSF Railway has opened a new $40 million switching yard in southwestern Bexar County that will move freight faster between Mexico and South Texas. The rail site, an old transfer point for Air Force recruits, previously housed a passenger rail station.
The Cadet Yard, located in surburban Von Ormy near San Antonio, opens during a period of decline in domestic rail traffic. While U.S. carloads have been soft, especially in the energy sector, Mexican rail traffic has been trending upward.
The Cadet Yard will move sand, ethanol as well as autos and auto parts, grain traffic, consumer goods and other commodities, according to BNSF spokesperson Joe Faust. The freight from Mexico is routed from a border crossing at Eagle Pass and moved over Union Pacific tracks to Bexar county. Under operating agreements, BNSF has trackage rights to move trains over some UP lines in South Texas.
The new yard configuration will take the strain off the Temple, Texas yard and make for more efficient moves, according to BNSF. Cadet has a 10 track configuration and can hold up to 350 rail cars.
Cadet Yard is designed to handle existing and potential new rail customers in the San Antonio region. The facility was built without any tax incentives from local governments.
BNSF Railway has opened a new $40 million switching yard in southwestern Bexar County that will move freight faster between Mexico and South Texas. The rail site, an old transfer point for Air Force recruits, previously housed a passenger rail station.
The Cadet Yard, located in surburban Von Ormy near San Antonio, opens during a period of decline in domestic rail traffic. While U.S. carloads have been soft, especially in the energy sector, Mexican rail traffic has been trending upward.
The Cadet Yard will move sand, ethanol as well as autos and auto parts, grain traffic, consumer goods and other commodities, according to BNSF spokesperson Joe Faust. The freight from Mexico is routed from a border crossing at Eagle Pass and moved over Union Pacific tracks to Bexar county. Under operating agreements, BNSF has trackage rights to move trains over some UP lines in South Texas.
The new yard configuration will take the strain off the Temple, Texas yard and make for more efficient moves, according to BNSF. Cadet has a 10 track configuration and can hold up to 350 rail cars.
Cadet Yard is designed to handle existing and potential new rail customers in the San Antonio region. The facility was built without any tax incentives from local governments.