Whew! Didn't anyone tell Santa Claus not to visit when we are busy?
The construction jobs completed in the last two months are Chico, tracks; Parking Lot improvements at Jack Cooper in arlington and the Ford Auto Ramp tracks in Mesquite.
The middle of December saw more work on the tracks and construction at Forney Road in Mesquite for the intermodal expansion.
I got to see and visit some with the yard crews in Mesquite and of course eat Barbecue.
Foreman Bob Koci The flagman who protects the area crews and tracks during construction stays busy going from one end to the other where tracks will be fouled. He and I put on some targets and derails in the Ford Auto ramps to complete it this week.
As most of you know, Maintenance of Way is working steadily in Centennial Yard replacing crossties in the Bowl Tracks and 200 Yard.
Charles Cutrer's crews are also installing tracks and switches at Tower 55.
The week of December 15, the extension of the main line and two additional tail tracks at the south end of Ney Yard on the Fort Worth Sub will begin with cutting and filling the roadbed to grade.
The Hump retarder is to be redone during the last week of December.
On January 1, new seniority rosters will be in effect for Maintenance of Way. It is the combination of at least six different roster in the Metroplex.
School will be out for the Christmas Holidays soon. That means the kids will be in, on, or around the streets with bicycles. Let's watch out for them.
I'll be enjoying the holidays, and expecting to see everyone back to work; So be safe!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From Maintenance of Way Engineering
Eddie is ARASA Supervisor of Construction - East 12-97