BNSF begins teardown of diesel shop

The diesel shop is located at BNSF’s main yard, under the Kansas Expressway viaduct north of Division Street.

BNSF spokesperson Steve Forsberg declined to release the cost of the deconstruction, but said it should be complete by January.

“Removing this shop at this time makes it easier for us to consider options for potential expansion of yard tracks in the future,” Forsberg said. “That doesn’t mean that we’re going to (build new tracks), but there are a couple of drivers for that potential consideration.”

The drivers for BNSF’s possible main-yard rail expansion, according to Forsberg, are increased business and the possible need to remove tracks in West Meadows, an area between Campbell and Kansas Expressway where the city may one day expand Jordan Valley Park.

Forsberg said the company employs more than 900 in Springfield, up from around 800 three years ago, and has more trains and longer trains running through town.

He said BNSF, which has nine receiving and departure tracks and 30 assembly tracks at the yard, averages 50 trains per day that stretch up to 8,000 feet long. Ten years ago, he said, BNSF averaged 30 trains per day at an average length of 5,000 feet.

For more information about the deconstruction of BNSF’s diesel shop, see SBJ’s Nov. 21 issue.