Burlington Northern-Santa Fe is now connected.
     The railroad is finishing construction on a second set of railroad tracks between Tamora and Seward. Grading for the project was completed in December.
     Mike Schaefer, project engineer, said BNSF purchased enough land for the second set of tracks and an access road to allow for easier maintenance. In addition, it had to move sewer and power lines before it could build.
     In addition, BNSF had to replace the lights and gates at three crossings, Schaefer said.
     The goal is to open the 8.8-mile long second set of tracks between Tamora and Seward by June 15, he said.
     "The traffic was already there," he said. Adding more infrastructure will "keep things moving."
     Empty trains are limited to 60 miles per hour on the tracks, while full ones are limited to 55 mph.
     Schaefer said the tracks average 135 coal cars daily and 60 trains in 24 hours.
     As far as construction goes, a layer of asphalt is put down before the rails and ties. It takes one day to lay the rail and ties for one mile of track, Schaefer said. Rail is laid in one-quarter mile pieces that are delivered by a special train, he said. The pieces are then welded together.
     Concrete ties are laid with approximately 24 inches between their centers. Schaefer said there are 2,700 ties in one mile. The rails are secured to the ties with metal clips.
     Ballast-the rocks that hold the ties in place-is dumped in place from rail cars.
     Approximately 12 inches of rock will fill the space between the asphalt and the rails, Schaefer said.
     The rails are four feet, eight inches apart, which was the distance between Roman chariot wheels, Schaefer said.