CSXT to spend $9 million improving Tennessee facility

CSXT to spend $9 million improving Tennessee facility CSX Transportation Inc. is planning to spend some $9 million upgrading its Erwin, Tenn. facility to improve the delivery of coal and other bulk freight.
   Erwin, the former headquarters of CSXT predecessor Clinchfield Railroad, is an important gateway for coal trains operating from Appalachia to receivers such as electrical power utilities.
   About $6 million will be spent on track and structure work at the Erwin terminal during 2008, while about $3 million will be spent on communications and technology upgrades in the region to support distributed power — locomotives placed in the middle or rear of the train and controlled by the engineer from the lead locomotive.
   CSXT said distributing the power through the train improves handling over mountainous territory, allows more railcars to be added, and increases fuel efficiency. The longer trains require the construction of longer yard tracks and later this month, demolition of the current car inspector facility will begin to make way for extended yard tracks and a new car inspector facility.
   Eight new staff will also join the Erwin locomotive team.
   “We look forward to these facility improvements to support distributed power, which in turn will provide more efficient service to our customers,” said Mike Pendergrass, CSXT’s vice president for its Southern region.
   The railroad is a principal operating company of CSX Corp., based in Jacksonville, Fla.