Texas Pacifico Increasing Train Speeds Heading into San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Locomotives hauling train cars full of oilfield sand and pipe will be barreling into San Angelo at higher speeds beginning in March.  

According to a press release from Texas Pacifico, residents and travelers along the South Orient Rail Line between Coleman and San Angelo, including all the communities in between, are being advised to be even more diligent at railroad crossings as train speeds are increasing.

After years of continuous inspections, maintenance and upgrade investments having gone into improving the rail line, Texas Pacifico has announced that the rail line is now rated for higher speeds on all trains for approximately 70 miles between the San Angelo Junction near Coleman and the eastern edge of San Angelo. The higher speeds, beginning in early March, affect all highway and street – rail grade crossings in this section of the South Orient.

This change will allow for greater efficiency and utilization of the line and support regional economic development. But with increased speeds comes an increased need for vigilance by anyone near the rail line and at all crossings.

Texas Pacifico has been working to ensure that warning devices at the crossings are being adjusted to account for the faster moving trains. But not all crossings have cross bars or electronically activated warnings. So residents, motorists and anyone crossing the rail line need to remember that trains will be approaching much faster than in the past and account accordingly for safe crossing.

Although train speed will be reduced through Ballinger, the new speeds will still be higher through town than in the past. Otherwise, the higher speeds will be maintained between the San Angelo Junction and up to the eastern edge of the city of San Angelo. At this time the rail line is not rated to allow for higher speeds through the city of San Angelo and west.

The South Orient Rail Line is a 385 mile rail line owned by the State of Texas and operated by Texas Pacifico Transportation.  The line runs from Coleman to the U.S. - Mexico border in Presidio, TX.

The international bridge over the border is currently under construction after a fire destroyed the previous bridge in 2009.  

Texas Pacifico says the new bridge should be completed by summer 2019 and they expect trade with Mexico will be reestablished across the bridge.