©2009 Farmrail System, Inc.
August 2010
Weatherford traffic this year already exceeds the 2009 total, when it was Farmrail’s third-largest station. The town has become a hotbed of rail activity as a distribution center for the development of nearby oil-shale formations, and main-line and yard trackage have been upgraded to accommodate increased tonnage of fracturing sand used in lateral drilling.
July
2010
Construction of a new side track at Tillman Producers in Frederick has set the stage for increased distribution of liquid fertilizers throughout southwestern Oklahoma and parts of Texas. Nitrogen solution is rapidly replacing anhydrous ammonia as the nutrient of choice due to farmer, carrier and producer efforts to reduce exposure to hazardous substances.
June 2010
The 2010 wheat harvest was the most unusual in Farmrail’s 29-year history. Lack of normal export demand, large carry-over stocks, depressed market prices, and low protein content caused much of an above-average but below-expectations crop to be held in on-line elevators. The usual June surge in carloadings therefore will be spread out over the next 10 months.
May 2010
Despite the deteriorating state of the national highway system and accompanying stress on maintenance budgets, motor carriers have renewed lobbying efforts to increase truck sizes and weights. The push for greater road and rail efficiency is like the nuclear arms race; a truce should be declared while the country catches up with its infrastructure needs.
April 2010
Another encouraging sign for continued Anadarko Basin oilfield activity is JKM Ventures’ purchase of trackside property in Elk City. The trucking firm is preparing the former cottonseed-mill site to receive fracturing sand for transloading to drilling locations on the westerly side of the field, complementing similar operations 50 miles away at Weatherford.
March
2010
The roadway maintenance season has started with the third phase of rehabilitation at FMRC’s Altus yard and interchange tracks, and the Clinton-Weatherford segment is due for tie replacements and surfacing to accommodate increased industrial sand traffic. New rail is being installed at 25 road crossings on the north end of GNBC to remove slow orders.
February 2010
Another new oilfield supplier, Anchor Drilling Fluids, has joined the GNBC customer list by establishing a sixth operating location in Oklahoma, in the heart of the Anadarko Basin. The Tulsa-based firm has occupied and revamped an existing rail-served building in the Clinton Industrial Park and already received its first delivery of imported barite.
January 2010
A climatic cycle is evidenced in western Oklahoma by weather events not seen for several decades, but it can hardly be described as “global warming.” Last year began with severe cold spells that seriously affected winter wheat production and ended with early winter blizzard conditions and deep snowdrifts that disrupted all modes of transportation.
December 2009
November 2009
GNBC soon expects to extend regular service via 22 miles of trackage rights between Snyder and Altus, which is to become the primary interchange with BNSF. This arrangement should result in more efficient handling of traffic by both carriers and reduce congestion during the wheat harvest, when back-ups have seriously impeded the flow of loads and empties.
October 2009
Car storage has become a counter-recessionary balance to declining freight revenue for many short lines with surplus track capacity. Farmrail, which has been in that business for 25 years, is currently hosting a record inventory of out-of-service railcars awaiting an upturn in traffic, including 20 miles of mothballed container platforms.
September 2009
Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation is unanimously co-sponsoring legislation to extend the federal tax credit for short-line infrastructure investment in effect since 2005. This incentive has stimulated contractor and supplier employment while improving safety and efficiency of long-term assets affording outlying communities access to the national rail network.
August 2009
The concept of creating private investment accounts to supplement Railroad Retirement benefits has been a reality at Farmrail since 1993. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan gives each eligible participant an equity stake in the business. We want all our people to think like owners, because what’s good for the Company is good for them.
July 2009
The 2009 excursion season began on Independence Day with “Proud To Be American” trips to honor current military personnel and veterans. Meanwhile, movie makers finished filming “The Killer Inside Me,” a western murder mystery shot entirely in Oklahoma, including 1950s period scenes in Enid and Cordell and on board FMRC’s passenger coaches.
June 2009
Western Oklahoma’s winter-wheat harvest turned out to be almost a non-event, as severe late frost damaged newly formed heads and rendered most of the crop unmarketable. As a result, the usual June traffic surge will not occur this year. Since country elevators still hold much of the 2008 production, grain will be moving to terminals over the next 10 months.
May 2009
A fourth GP-38AC and two standard GP-38s are being added to the motive-power roster, enlarging it to a total of 22 units. They will allow some older GP-9/10 locomotives to be placed in reserve status, leased or sold, or used as parts sources. Electronic event recorders and cameras are being installed on the primary fleet as additional safety measures.
April 2009
Modernization work on FMRC Budd self-propelled railcar demonstration unit 6130 has been completed by Industrial Rail Services in Moncton, New Brunswick. The two companies are offering these versatile, economical, time tested, stainless-steel vehicles for service on light-density passenger routes where operating flexibility and fuel efficiency are essential.
March 2009
Preparation for the upcoming winter-wheat harvest involves continued high-level outlays for system track and bridge improvements. Main lines were inspected by a geometry car to identify structural deficiencies for remedial attention by Company roadway workers and outside contractors so that a sound Class 2 standard can be achieved by May.
February 2009
While the nation waits to see how and when massive government intervention in the economy takes effect, Farmrail has provided its own "stimulus package." The most immediate and direct impact can come from employers, and all personnel received yearend bonuses and pay raises so they could enter 2009 with greater confidence than most Americans.
January 2009
Farmrail is well positioned to withstand the economic recession that now has been confirmed statistically. Record traffic enabled the Company to end 2008 in the best financial condition in its 27-year history, and a two-year extension of the federal infrastructure tax credit will allow for further physical improvement of track and bridges this year.
December 2008
The latest additions to GNBC’s customer list are at Okeene. Oilfield supplier Skyline Chemical is building a spur to a new distribution facility for hydrochloric acid, while Canadian-based Nexen has established an experimental transloading point for crude oil railed from developing fields in North Dakota that lack direct pipeline access.
November 2008
The railroads’ ability to transport heavy and oversized loads was demonstrated again last month when a 510,000-pound electrical transformer arrived on a specially designed eight-axle flat car. The shipment originated in Mexico and was delivered to Elk City for transloading to its final destination, an Acciona Energy wind-farm development near Hammon.
October 2008
Controller Judy Petry received the League of Railway Industry Women’s "Woman of the Year"award at a presentation ceremony in Chicago on September 23. She has become a recognized expert in her field, serving on several industry committees and chairing the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s 2008 national convention.
September 2008
Brainerd Chemical and United Agri Products are joining the ranks of GNBC customers. Both will occupy rail-served portions of the former cotton-oil mill property in Clinton, completing its redevelopment to other uses. Meanwhile, newcomer Wildcat Minerals is set to receive its first shipments of fracturing sand at an FMRC unloading site in Weatherford.
August 2008
FMRC plans to undertake phased improvements to the capacity and condition of the Altus yard and interchange in cooperation with Oklahoma Department of Transportation. These facilities proved inadequate for handling peak transportation demand during June, when harvesting speed and volume overwhelmed infrastructure engineered a century ago.
July 2008
It was “déjà vu all over again” as nature caused two service interruptions at Enid and disabled three locomotives midway through a bountiful harvest. Train and maintenance crews did a splendid job in dealing with adversity, managing to move a record number of carloads in June despite several days of disruption from wind, rain and fire.
June 2008
Unless late misfortune strikes, as it did last year, the 2008 winter wheat crop will test the railroads’ ability to move heavy traffic in a short time frame. The combination of increased harvested acreage, strong export demand, and high prices should cause a sharp seasonal spike in carloadings as farmers seek to move their grain to market as soon as possible.
May 2008
With agriculture and energy production thriving, rural western Oklahoma is a pretty good place to be these days. Farmrail’s lack of dependence on forest products, building materials, automotive and intermodal business is enabling the Company to increase traffic in 2008 while the railroad industry generally reports declining tonnage as economic activity slackens.
April 2008
Long-time
March 2008
A 6,000-square-foot, Company-owned warehouse in Clinton is being transformed into a base for maintenance-of-way personnel, materials and supplies. Renovations will include a new exterior shell and an addition incorporating office space and crew quarters that will relieve crowding in Farmrail’s other in-town facilities.
February 2008
Farmrail thanks its many customers who gave their political support to an extension of the expiring three-year federal tax credit for short-line railroad infrastructure improvements. This incentive enabled the Company to enhance safety and reliability by increasing its outlays for track and bridges by more than 55% from the level of the preceding three years.
January 2008
Farmrail’s recovery from last year’s unprecedented flooding and related physical damage, workforce stress, and financial consequences is complete. The Company enters 2008 with a smoothly functioning service plan and the broadest customer base, best track structure, largest locomotive fleet, and strongest financial condition in its history.
December 2007
The downturn in national rail traffic has given a boost to temporary car storage. The on-line inventory has included off-lease equipment, new boxcars, hoppers and tanks awaiting their first users, and the longest trains ever seen on Farmrail – strings of intermodal container cars occupying more than 10 miles of track in outlying locations.
November 2007
In support of the recently adopted system operating plan, GNBC has purchased three 2,000-horsepower Electro-Motive GP-38AC locomotives, increasing the Farmrail fleet to 21 units. The additional power will provide greater flexibility to handle new customer locations, variously sized trains, and seasonal traffic peaks.
October 2007
A new operating plan is improving transit time for all customers as the extended effects of severe flooding are overcome. It involves running more frequent, shorter trains over smaller territories and coordinated meets to expedite traffic flows. The objective is same-day or next-morning service for most customers and second-day deliveries to the system extremities.
September 2007
First loads are expected this month for three new rail customers: Ventura Refining and Transmission, Thomas (petroleum distillates); Hampel Oil, Sayre (lubricants); and Livestock Nutrition, Altus (animal feed). These are good signs of an improving regional economy driven mainly by agriculture and natural resource extraction.
August 2007
The farmer is a winner in western Oklahoma this year. Though the winter wheat harvest fell short of early expectations because of extended wet weather, the region produced some of the better wheat in the nation, and market prices have remained high. The unusual moisture also has improved the outlook for secondary crops.
July 2007
Unprecedented spring rainfall transformed the “dust bowl of America” into a mud bowl, delaying and then prematurely ending the winter wheat harvest. Farmrail maintenance personnel did a fine job of making tracks passable where flooding and washouts had occurred, limiting a partial service interruption to just four days.
June 2007
The Company’s GNBC subsidiary soon will take delivery of 48 more covered hoppers for grain-shuttle service to and from terminal elevators in Enid. This purchase replaces older cars that had exhausted their useful lives for interchange purposes and increases the total fleet to 119 units.
May 2007
This year and next mark the 100th anniversary of construction of Farmrail’s “Orient Line” through southwestern Oklahoma. Planned to connect Kansas City with the Mexican port of Topolobampo, the ambitious 1,451-mile project never reached its destination due to financial difficulties that led to bankruptcy in 1908.
April 2007
Preparations are under way for a potentially huge winter wheat harvest, starting next month. Additional locomotives, railcars and trainmen are being mobilized to deal with an expected overflow of country elevator capacity and resulting railroad congestion in moving a bumper crop to market.
March 2007
The shop force has turned out another masterpiece of workmanship. GP-10 locomotive 1981’s unique paint scheme commemorates the Company’s 25th anniversary and the rich heritage of the routes it operates – Frisco, Rock Island and Santa Fe – as all reach or near a century of existence in western Oklahoma.
February 2007
A slowing domestic economy has increased demand for railcar storage, including entire intermodal unit trains as well as smaller blocks. Farmrail’s 22 years of experience in the storage business, system capacity of more than 2,000 cars, dual Class I connections, and car-repair capability make it an attractive location for fleet owners’ out-of-service equipment.
January 2007
As a result of the worst harvest since 1957, wheat comprised only 24% of Farmrail’s carloadings last year, down from 60% as recently as 2000. Increased volumes of other commodities, notably oilfield supplies, crushed stone, and feed grains, have diversified the traffic mix considerably in recent years.
December 2006
Twenty-five years after its founding there, Farmrail has established a new presence in Elk City by purchasing the assets of American Milling’s railcar-repair facility. This acquisition will enable FMRC to perform a wide range of running and heavy repairs on equipment bad-ordered in a region without ready access to other shops.
November 2006
November 18 marks the 25th anniversary of Farmrail service between Clinton and Elk City, begun in the aftermath of the Rock Island railroad bankruptcy and a time of booming oilfield activity. We salute the people of Elk City for their foresight in recognizing the desirability of preserving access to the national railway network, for their town has become the largest traffic center on the expanded Farmrail system.
October 2006
Farmrail soon will become the first railroad of any size to use hand-held electronic devices to record freight-car movements. This technology saves trainmen time and improves reporting speed and accuracy by eliminating traditional paperwork.
September 2006
More than three-quarters of Farmrail’s 46 active customers now bill their rail traffic electronically, either directly with the popular “ShipperConnect” program or through third-party agents and connecting carrier websites. This time-saving technology greatly improves reporting accuracy and minimizes the risk of service errors.
August 2006
For the first time since the last system extension in 1993, June will not be the peak traffic month this year. The short wheat crop, market conditions, and available storage caused elevator managers to curtail shipments normally made during the harvest period.
July 2006
Next November 18 marks the 25th anniversary of Farmrail’s founding as a 35-mile short line linking Clinton and Elk City at the time of a previous energy boom. The Company expanded to its present 347-mile regional configuration by absorbing lines of both former connecting carriers, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, which merged in 1995.
June 2006
The benefit of diversification will be evident in the coming months after the worst wheat harvest since 1957. System traffic will be down in 2006 for the first time in five years.
May 2006
Groundwork is in progress for two new rail customers, a pipe yard in Elk City's industrial park and a lubricant-distribution terminal at Sayre, as Anadarko Basin gas-development activity remains at a high level.
April 2006
While unusually dry growing conditions seem certain to affect this year’s winter wheat crop, natural gas development activity remains at a high level. Inquiries from new businesses seeking to support Anadarko Basin drillers are an encouraging sign of confidence in the future of western Oklahoma’s major source of “clean” energy.
March 2006
Farmrail’s dependence on the annual western Oklahoma wheat crop continues to decline as other rail business enlarges and diversifies the traffic base. Wheat accounted for just 39% of carloadings in 2005, down from 60% as recently as five years ago.
February 2006
Farmrail will receive 92 carloads of pipe this month for transloading at Elk City. It is destined for a new transmission line being laid in Roger Mills County.
January 2006
Farmrail enjoyed record traffic and revenues in 2005, accompanied by a much higher level of spending on infrastructure improvements. A three-year federal investment credit, supported by District 3 Congressman Frank Lucas and a substantial bipartisan majority in the House, provided additional funds to enhance the safety and efficiency of small railroads throughout the country that now operate 30% of the national rail network.
December 2005
Farmrail has acquired 32 more open-top hoppers for movements of crushed stone. The enlarged fleet of 76 cars will provide capacity to handle up to 350,000 tons annually.
November 2005
Farmrail is a joint-venture partner in Marquette Rail, a newly formed short line that begins operation of 129 miles of lines in western Michigan leased from CSX Transportation on November 12. All administrative support for the new company is to be performed at our Clinton headquarters.
October 2005
The most unusual traffic in the railroad’s history, structural components for a new windpower project, are being shipped to Frederick this month from abroad. The oversized loads arrive in specially designed unit-trains for transloading and truck delivery to the development site north of Lawton.
September 2005
Increased track work is evident throughout Farmrail’s 347-mile system, spurred by a three-year federal tax credit for infrastructure improvement enacted last October. This program will strengthen the most active segments to handle the higher level of traffic now moving over the railroad.
August 2005
Custer City Co-op has become a regional distribution point for liquid and dry fertilizer to be received by rail and delivered to users by rail or truck. The new facilities - 8,000 tons of flat storage and tank capacity of 4,500 tons - should reduce costs for area farmers by allowing product to be purchased and transported during the off-season for nearby storage.
July 2005
July 22 marks the 10th anniversary of our Finger Lakes Railway affiliate in upstate New York. The 154-mile cluster of lines confirms the possibilities for revitalizing properties neglected by previous owners. Improved service and aggressive marketing has raised annual traffic from less than 6,000 carloads to nearly 16,000 last year. FGLK not only is doing more business with its inherited customers, but has caused others that had given up on rail transportation to return and also attracted several new industries to locate on line.
June 2005
Oilfield supplier Weatherford Fracturing Technologies becomes a new customer next month. It will occupy an existing warehouse in Clinton and construct a storage tank for sand formerly trucked into the Anadarko Basin.
May 2005
Another excellent western Oklahoma wheat crop is expected to be harvested starting this month, placing heavy short-term demands on railroads to move what cannot be stored in country elevators. Car supply and system congestion are likely to cause problems, since the former practice of positioning 1,000 hoppers in advance will not be possible. As was the case last year, trains will deliver some empties from the north and return with wheat to terminals at Enid to ease the heavy flow of grain to export points.
April 2005
The unloading spur at Elk City’s new stone-distribution terminal will be extended and double-ended to improve switching efficiency for increased traffic there. Construction is to take place during June and July, following completion of several pre-harvest maintenance projects.
March 2005
Though rail safety statistics continue to improve in terms of train incidents and employee injuries, the number of senseless and preventable deaths from car-train collisions and illegal trespassers remains discouraging. The 849 people killed last year represent a slight increase from 833 in 2003. While “Operation Lifesaver” and various other safety initiatives have been beneficial, there is no substitute for common sense on the part of the public.
February 2005
Faced with rising maintenance budgets, state transportation officials are realizing the importance of remaining rail lines in reducing shipments of heavy commodities on the highways. Since a 100-ton railcar lading represents four truckloads and a single semi-trailer inflicts pavement damage equivalent to 9,600 automobiles, one benefit of rail transportation becomes quite evident.
January 2005
Five new rail-served customer facilities were built or reactivated on Farmrail lines during 2004, a good sign for the economy of western Oklahoma. In addition to Elk City's new stone terminal, they included a grain load-out at Hobart, drilling-fluids supplier at Clinton, and liquid fertilizer installations at Custer City and Frederick.
December 2004
Our employee-owners wish all Farmrail's customers, suppliers, neighbors and friends the best of holiday seasons and look forward to a safe and rewarding new year.
October 2004
The final phase of 2004 track maintenance and improvement calls for the installation of an additional 12,000 ties, bringing the record total for the year to about 28,000. Rather than dealing with identified problems strictly from a safety standpoint, this program should bring extended portions of the railroad into compliance with Federal Railroad Administration Class 2 track standards for several years, such that slow orders and normal maintenance needs can be minimized in those areas and future work concentrated elsewhere.
September 2004
Several freight customers already have taken advantage of electronic billing, now offered by Farmrail as a free service enhancement. This time-saving feature improves the accuracy of data transmissions and reduces the risk of clerical errors that can result in shipment delays or misroutings.
August 2004
Champion Drilling Fluids of Oklahoma City is consolidating its operations serving the Anadarko Basin from four locations to a single facility at Clinton. Construction of a spur track off the State-owned "Sunbelt Line" will begin soon to provide rail access to an existing building now occupied by Champion and additional acreage available for industrial development.
July 2004
Western Oklahoma enjoyed its best harvest since 1998, as favorable weather produced above-average yields and brought the crop in early and quickly. Farmrail moved 6.1-million bushels between May 26 and June 30, equivalent to 7,168 truckloads.
June 2004
Farmrail's power roster increased to 19 units with the purchase of an additional GP-10 locomotive, increasing the Company's ability to handle heavier tonnage.
May 2004
"Quartz Mountain Flyer" passenger excursions will be offered to the public on eight Saturdays this year, beginning July 3. Two-hour narrated round trips for up to 130 persons will depart from Quartz Mountain (intersection of Routes 44 and 44A) at 10:00 a.m. and include a brief stop-over at Lone Wolf. Coach ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 4 thru 12; infants ride free. A very limited number of one-way locomotive cab rides are available for an additional $25. See the full 2004 Public Excursion Schedule and then call 580-846-9078 or e-mail cityoflonewolf@swoi.net for information and reservations to assure seating. Major credit cards are accepted, subject to 24 hours' advance notice of cancellation. Follow up the train ride with lunch at the spectacular Quartz Mountain Resort, an afternoon enjoying the recreational amenities of Quartz Mountain Park, and overnight accommodations if desired. The "Flyer" is a cooperative presentation of the friendly people of Lone Wolf, Farmrail and Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
April 2004
Possible railcar shortages for the coming harvest affect planning by railroad and shippers alike. Burlington Northern Santa Fe advises that it may unable to supply hoppers for early positioning due to unusual demand throughout its system. A limited supply of guaranteed cars can be purchased on the open market, but tariff orders for interline movements will be filled only by lottery. Elevator managers therefore must be prepared to deal with potential overflow conditions. GNBC’s car fleet will be used only for local traffic to the Enid terminal in order to access additional storage capacity. All orders should be placed with Cathy Pierce at 800-933-7345.
March 2004
Farmrail's GNBC subsidiary has won the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's 2003 Gold Safety Award for carriers of its size. Neither it nor FMRC experienced a reportable employee injury during the year.
February 2004
Anyone who thinks that a train ride isn't very romantic should consult the young man from Elk City who proposed (successfully) to his sweetheart on a Valentine's Day excursion organized by the Grandview Assembly of God. Two packed carloads of romantics not only enjoyed his good fortune, but also crisp winter weather, tasty food and festive decorations on a three-hour round trip to Clinton.
January 2004
District 3 Congressman Frank Lucas is among 265 House co-sponsors of federal legislation that would provide tax credits for small railroads to invest in needed track maintenance and upgrading. Many rural carriers like Farmrail operate on infrastructure designed and built nearly a century ago, when the typical loaded freight car weighed about 100,000 pounds. The newest generation of rolling stock weighs 286,000 pounds and cannot be handled safely or at reasonable speeds on many branches. The nation's 500-odd short lines are critical competitive transportation links between outlying communities and the inter-city main-line network that must be technologically compatible. Rep. Lucas and the majority of his colleagues recognize that rebuilding these rail lines keeps country elevators and other local industries competitive in their markets, is essential to future industrial development, and helps to reduce highway pavement damage by heavy trucks (one railcar is equivalent to up to four truckloads). Towns that have lost rail service aren't quite the same once the tracks have been removed.
December 2003
FMRC is constructing a 1,500-foot spur to a new stone-distribution terminal being built by Elk City Industrial Authority on a 160-acre industrial tract in that community. Granite aggregates will be shipped by rail from the Martin Marietta quarry at Long, Oklahoma in a dedicated fleet of 44 open-top hoppers being acquired by FMRC and the Authority. Start-up is expected in the first quarter of 2004. The high-quality rock will be used primarily in paving projects throughout western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle.