CSX re-opens Chicago Locomotive Shop
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
CSX on Dec. 18, 2014 celebrated the re-opening of the Chicago Locomotive Shop at Barr Yard in Riverdale, Ill. The historic facility, which had been shut down in 1992, reopened in November 2104 following significant upgrades and will be fully operational in February 2015. CSX said it “will improve operational efficiency throughout the western and northern segments of our network.”
Through a $4.5 million investment, CSX renovated the existing facility with a fully refurbished turntable, a new drop table, and new Jib and H-Beam cranes, and installed a camera system to provide complete visibility around the facility grounds and an AEI system to track locomotive moment.
The Chicago Locomotive Shop will support the maintenance and repair of 120 locomotives per month, enabling CSX to service units locally rather than transferring them to repair shops at Selkirk, N.Y., or Cumberland, Md. Shop employees will also be able to diagnose and repair locomotives in line-of-road service that operate through the Chicago gateway. “These expanded capabilities will create significant time and cost savings,” CSX said.
The Chicago Locomotive Shop brings more than 20 new jobs to CSX’s local workforce. Today, CSX employs 185 employees at Barr Yard and more than 1,000 employees across the greater Chicago area. When fully operational, the shop will have a staff of 23.
“The grand opening of the Chicago Locomotive Shop marks a historic day for CSX in Chicago, as we open a new facility dedicated to one of the most important resources we have on the railroad,” said CSX Vice President of Mechanical Gery Williams. “Demand for freight rail across the Chicago region has grown by leaps and bounds during recent years, and this facility is essential to helping us continue to serve customers safely, reliably, and efficiently.”
“Beyond the modern features and state-of-the-art technology, the new facility is equipped with a strong team of CSX employees, made up of both CSX veterans and newcomers to the company who are eager to contribute,” said CSX Superintendent-Chicago Dan Maze. “Expanding our team has allowed us to design our workflow for maximum efficiency and productivity.”
