Illinois from Page 6
in cycle time means more loads with fewer assets – a testament to why velocity is important.
Like many shortlines, carload volumes of product for the energy market began escalating in a hurry just a few years ago. IR soon began running significantly longer and more frequent trains to maintain the pace of its two largest customers, U. S. Silica and Wedron Silica. At U. S. Silica, which previously loaded wheel trackers, the need for in-plant switching with IR crews and locomotives surfaced.
Last year, IR’ s carloads averaged about 4,000 per month. Thus far in 2013, IR is handling nearly 5,000 cars. The added volume means that IR needs to coordinate closely with BNSF to run 100-car unit trains of fracking sand at least once each week, in addition to handling normal manifest business. To manage the additional business, IR hired transportation personnel and other new employees quickly. That, said DeClue, hasn’ t always been an easy task.
“ It’ s hard trying to find good candidates,” he said.“ You start trying to find experienced engineers and that’ s a small pool you’ re dealing with. It’ s been a little rough at times getting fully staffed, but it’ s worked out. We’ ve managed to find some really good people.”
IR ran employment ads on its website and railroad retirement boards,
A late-night IR manifest train braves the elements at Oswego, Ill., to stay on schedule. Increased carloads of frac sand has meant significantly longer or more frequent trains, requiring additional manpower.— Courtesy Illinois Railway
and even posted notices on rail fan websites just to get the word out. Several conductors hired by IR had no previous railroad experience, DeClue said, but through dedicated training, IR quickly brought the new hires up to speed.
Now with 55 employees, IR is handling the volume and keeping a steady eye on the future. Industry analysts suggest that oil and gas growth will continue, and that has DeClue looking for more talent.
“ I think everybody sees the sand business continuing to grow before it hits its peak,” he said.“ I could see in the future – if things keep going the way they are for us now – that we will have to hire more people.”
In the meantime, the company’ s locomotive fleet has been upgraded from B23-7s and small Geeps to GP38-3s, SD45s and SD50s to handle longer trains. By the end of the spring, IR’ s roster will comprise 17 units.
IR also revamped its Ottawa yard. Five previously stub-ended tracks are now connected at both ends. In addition, one track has been extended to reach about a mile in length, and the Serena, Ill., station is getting a second siding long enough to fit a 100-car unit train and three locomotives later this year.
“ We’ re moving forward,” DeClue said.“ When I first started here digging ties, we had 12 guys. It’ s definitely grown to be a lot bigger than some of us ever imagined.”
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