NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern upgraded Lamberts Point Coal Facility’s South Kickback Track.
The South Kickback Track routes empty coal cars to Lamberts Point where trains are rebuilt and sent for reloading, says Norfolk Southern. Lamberts Point is located in Norfolk, Virginia and enables coal transportation by rail. The area is tight with a high amount of activity, necessitating reliable and efficient operations. Trains are backed into the area, so “precise track alignment, sound structural support, and dependable walking surfaces” are necessary due to the limited amount of space.
In upgrading the track, NS’ Engineering Bridges & Structures team worked to install 725 bridge ties, build a No. 7 switch in track, renew the walkway to mitigate walking hazards, and lay close to 1,000 feet of new rail. Crews utilized a range of bridge and track capacities supported by a detailed work plan and adequate training, says the Class I. Additionally, the landscape had limited access points and changes in elevation, adding to the project’s complexity. Below is a gallery, courtesy of Norfolk Southern, that shows the South Kickback Track project in progress and the completed result.
Elsewhere, crews had to adjust their approach due to overhead power lines in certain areas that could not be reenergized. Instead, they had to pull rail using different methods instead of using cranes. NS says safety was a priority as crews worked alongside active operations, energized power and communication lines, and on water. To maintain a level of safety, crews were “fitted for exposure monitoring tied to the work being performed, with comprehensive fall protection measures” put in place. As a result of the planning and work, the upgrade was completed ahead of schedule. The completion of the project has reinforced Lamberts Point operations and role as a “vital” link…