Continued rail improvements planned at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | A rail car loaded with railroad ties is shown Aug. 14, 2018, at the rail yard at Fort McCoy, Wis. Fort McCoy’s rail infrastructure has seen improvements in recent years and more work is planned. From the earliest days of Fort McCoy’s nearly 110-year history, railways have played an important role in the post’s mission. Whether it was transporting troops in for training during World War II or bringing in equipment and supplies for a present-day exercise on post, rail continues to be a primary mode of transportation at the installation. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

08.17.2018

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                        

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

Fort McCoy’s rail infrastructure has seen improvements over the past several years, and more work is planned, said Construction Inspection Branch Chief Dan Hanson with the Directorate of Public Works (DPW).

In 2016, for example, eight on-post rail crossings were removed and replaced with new precast concrete panels and 136-pound rails, Hanson said.

DPW General Engineer John Adams said then that the use of industry-standard 136-pound rails improves the installation’s rail capability. The weight designation refers to the weight of each 3-foot section, or 1 yard, of rail.

Construction Inspector Adam Sands said rail-infrastructure work will continue on post with upgrades in rails and ties as part of a two-year project starting this year.

“Construction on (rail lines) south of Highway 21 on post will be completed this year with construction ending later this fall,” Sands said. “Construction will then pick back up in the spring of 2019 on the north side of Highway 21 on the cantonment area until completion.”

DPW Engineering Division Chief Daniel Coburn has put a lot of effort into getting the rail-improvement project rolling, Hanson said. Coburn worked with the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) of McAlester, Okla., in 2015 to complete a site visit and provide an estimate on how much work needs to be done.

By 2016, MCAAP provided the estimate, which calls for the replacement of thousands of ties, thousands of feet of track, and other related work. MCAAP personnel will be completing the work.

And even though the construction will continue for an extended time, Sands said the installation’s rail capabilities will not falter.

“There are many people and organizations involved with coordinating rail movements at Fort McCoy during this process,” Sands said. “For McCoy will be mission capable throughout the construction process.”

Sands said coordination between personnel with MCAAP and the Fort McCoy Logistics Readiness Center (LRC) Transportation Division will ensure that mission readiness.

“This will minimize any delays for receiving rail-loaded material here, and for rail missions essential for Fort McCoy’s overall mission,” Sands said.

From the earliest days of Fort McCoy’s nearly 110-year history, railways have played an important role in the post’s mission, said LRC Transportation Division Chief D.J. Eckland. Whether it was transporting troops in for training during World War II or bringing in equipment and supplies for a present-day exercise on post, rail continues to be a primary mode of transportation at the installation.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”

• Date Taken: 08.17.2018
• Date Posted: 08.17.2018 15:51
• Story ID: 289317
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US