Track Work Complete!
What was once merely a concept on paper is now reality! We are pleased to report that the Museum of the American Railroad’s intricate system of tracks has been fully realized, thanks to the vision and financial support from many stakeholders and funders throughout the multi-year project.
Upon completion of Exhibit Tracks 1 & 2 on May 12, some 12,000 ft. of exhibit, lead, tail, and runaround trackage have been constructed. Design of the Museum’s rail infrastructure proved to be challenging early on in the planning process. Maintaining access to BNSF’s Madill Subdivision main line was critical and determined much of the layout. Stewart Creek, located just to the south of the Museum, proved to be another determining factor in how rail access and lead & tail track were designed. After some 16 iterations, a final plan was developed by Lunsford Associates and approved for construction.
Museum CEO Bob LaPrelle and Tony Ontiveros, Superintendent with Lone Star Railroad Contractors pose in front of a ballast regulator.
Newly constructed Exhibit Tracks 1 & 2 (totaling 1,400 ft.) required 900 tons of granite main line ballast, seen here during tamping process.
Initial work began in 2011, with the highest priority given to constructing enough track to accommodate the Museum’s rolling stock collection once moved from Fair Park. Phase I track work consisted of a permanent connection to BNSF at the extreme north end, followed by lead and runaround tracks curving around to the southwest toward the Tollway. Totaling 4,150 ft. in length, these two parallel tracks provided adequate storage space for the Museum’s then 42-piece collection of historic locomotives and cars. Three more phases of track construction followed, with the 10 exhibit tracks being built in descending order. A complex network of storm drainage was necessary prior to each phase, along with a 1% grade to the south for removal of water from the site.
The final switch in the Museum's vast rail infrastructure is nearing completion on March 28. It was cut into the existing runaround track and is the lead to Exhibit Track 1 where Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive #4018 will reside. The #9 switch provides a gentler turnout for the engine.
With 100% of track work complete, we can get down to the business of building permanent display trains on each of the 10 exhibit tracks. This will take a while, as much intricate switching is necessary to build each train. Locomotives and cars arrived in what appeared to be a random fashion, dictated by groupings of equipment moved in accordance with mechanical considerations and Federal waivers. Further, each piece in the now 65-piece collection has been moved numerous times to facilitate construction throughout the site. It will be exciting to see the Museum actually take shape as each car and locomotive is placed. It will provide an ever-changing landscape during the next several months, and no doubt keep John Garbutt on his toes while navigating the site with walking tours!
Our thanks to FCS Construction and Lone Star Railroad Contractors for their work in completing Tracks 1 & 2, which will exhibit the Museum’s Union Pacific #4018 “Big Boy” steam locomotive and Centennial diesel locomotive #6913. Thanks also to Martin Marietta, Vulcan Materials, and Prime Transportation for moving literally thousands of tons of granite ballast and flex-base material. Major funding for this phase of track construction was provided by a prominent foundation in Dallas, along with the Eugene McDermott Foundation, Summerlee Foundation, and the Muckleroy Foundation. Track work was part of an on-going $1.44 million capital construction campaign supported by numerous individuals and foundations. Construction of concrete platforms and the concourse are included in this phase and will resume in a few weeks. A complete listing of donors will appear in an overall project update in a future e-blast.
School Field Trips Wrap Up Following a Record Year
May 18 saw the last school bus roll up in front of the Museum, wrapping up an incredible year for the Museum’s educational programs. The 2022-2023 academic year was undoubtedly the most exciting and enjoyable field trip season for the Museum. We hosted most of Frisco’s 3rd grade students for our Field to Factory program, along with our new 7th grade Transcontinental & Texas Railroad history program. Last fall, we also hosted the Museum’s second African American Studies field trip for high school students. The Museum is proud to be a partner with the Frisco Independent School District, developing courses for each grade level specifically designed to align with Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) criteria.
In addition to FISD schools, the Museum also provided presentations to other districts including Wylie, Richardson, and Plano. Programs were developed last summer during a series of workshops with teachers and curriculum planners. These sessions were held at Frisco ISD’s administration building and Lebanon Trail High School. There, teachers from Frisco and other districts provided valuable input to Museum staff for development and preparation of relevant, informative, and enriching programs.
The Museum is already booking field trips for the 2023-2024 academic year. We look forward to another great season and the sound of young voices returning in the fall!
