BNSF reopens terminal for building materials

BNSF reopens terminal for building materials Partners Warehouse last week began operating a Chicago-area transload facility for building materials following an extensive overhaul by owner BNSF Railway, according to officials at both companies.
   The rail-served storage and distribution center located in Eola, Ill., received a complete track and maintenance overhaul to better handle oversize materials such as lumber, steel, dry wall and other building products. The railroad also repaired roads and improved security systems and lighting.
   BNSF leased the previously idle facility to Partners Warehouse after previous tenant Eola Transload Co. ran into financial difficulties and terminated its contract.
   The transload center, doing business as Partners Dimensional Services, contains more than 12.5 acres of covered and open storage and is near major highways. Partners operates multiple warehouses in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio, along with three trucking companies.
   Partners initially hopes to receive at least 500 to 1,000 carloads per year and grow volumes as the housing downturn subsides, said Tom Wagner, vice president of marketing and sales. ' Eric Kulisch