News

Contractors have finished strengthening two bridges and A&M is now fully compliant with the new “286” standard on all of its main line. (The standard mandates that the A&M be able to handle railcars with a combined car and product weight of 286,000 pounds vs. the old 263,000 pound standard.) A&M is now cleared for double stack railcars throughout.

“This is a milestone achievement for a short line railroad, such as the A&M, stated G. Brent McCready, President, who has been with the A&M since its founding. “I am pleased to see this event as a rededication to the future of the Company”, he added.

CAPITAL SPENDING SIGNALS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Over the last three and a half years, the A&M has been on a torrid pace in its capital program. The A&M has laid over 38 miles of welded, upgraded track under the program, which only became feasible with a loan program administered by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration. Using a combination of internal and loan drawdown funds, the A&M has also rehabilitated its Arkansas River Bridge and Trestle #3 decking, installed over 18,000 new ties, improved surfacing in areas, and upgraded numerous crossings. The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan also made it possible for the A&M to purchase certain work equipment (including a new tamper!) that it will use in the years to come to maintain its track.

Several key projects completed in the current year, in addition to the above, include:

  • Strengthening of an embankment that had been prone to washouts
  • Renewal of two major bridge decks
  • Acquisition of four locomotives and major engine overhauls on another four locomotives
  • Crossing upgrades at 15 locations
  • Acquisition of 18 aggregate cars

Other capital spending targets for the year include the investing in hand-held computer units and peripheral equipment to enable more timely train reporting, the installation of camera systems on locomotives, and the purchase of a new passenger parlor car to provide an upgraded excursion experience.

“These are really exciting times for us,” noted J. Reilly McCarren, Chairman of the Board.