Turnouts manufactured by Birmingham Rail & Locomotive were an integral part of a recent expansion project completed by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB).
“The railroad has been a longtime customer, and we were pleased to win a competitive bid process to supply 14 premium, domestic turnouts for the expansion,” said NICK BOUSQUET, regional sales manager for BR&L’s south central region.
Located along the Industrial Canal in New Orleans, the France Road Railyard will increase NOPB’s capacity to switch, interchange and store rail cars, while accommodating an additional 220 storage cars.
“Increasing our storage capacity through the New Orleans freight gateway serves the dual benefit of relieving rail congestion and offering customers, railroad partners and the Port of New Orleans a significant competitive edge,” said Tomeka Watson Bryant, NOPB general manager.
The turnouts were manufactured at BR&L’s plants in Bessemer, Ala., and Youngstown, Ohio.
“The collaboration between our switch locations and our sales staff to complete this project has strengthened our presence in the domestic market,” said LUKE BROOKS, director of operations, Bessemer trackwork. “There were many moving pieces involved and everyone came together to make it a success.”
The France Road Railyard construction is part of an $18 million project designed to increase the overall capacity of the New Orleans rail gateway.
“This was an important project for the railroad and we were thrilled to play a role in its success,” said SCOTT CALHOUN, operations director for BR&L. “We look forward to continued opportunities to work with the NOPB in the future.”
Nick Bousquet (front row, red tie), regional sales manager for BR&L, attended the ribbon-cutting for the France Road Railyard expansion, part of an $18 million project completed by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. Next to him (with ceremonial scissors) is Tomeka Watson Bryant, NOPB general manager.
BR&L provided NOPB with turnouts like this one, comprising three panelized, curved single crossovers with various track centers.
