The ties that bind the rails

Orderly stacks of new railroad ties bask in the sun Tuesday morning in piles along the track between Endicott and Winona. According to Bob Westby with the PCC Railway system, 2,000 ties are being replaced as that stretch of track is currently under slow order, meaning trains are under speed restrictions due to the condition of the tracks there. Westby said the work will be done by WATCO and is expected to begin the first part of April, depending on weather.

Work on the east side of Endicott for a 1.5 mile new rail spur is expected to begin in the summer. The rail spur will assist in the loading of unit trains at the Endicott grain elevators. The legislature passed a $1 million budget line item for Washington Department of Transportation to install the new track.