PORT MOVES AHEAD ON RAIL-LINE PURCHASE

SCOTT CITY -- The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority's efforts are moving forward to buy a six-mile railroad branch line from Union Pacific and a surplus diesel locomotive from the federal government.

The Interstate Commerce Commission has approved the purchase of the branch line, and Port Executive Director Dan Overbey said this week that all details should be completed by Jan. 1.

"It is now just a matter of doing all the paperwork," Overbey said. "The legal work is moving along."

The locomotive is on the General Services Administration surplus property list and is at Fort Carson, Colo.

The port's commissioners have approved buying the 100-ton locomotive for $7,500.

Overbey and board members think they have a good deal.

On the open market, the engine would cost between $50,000 and $100,000.

But the price is only a good deal if port officials can get the locomotive to Scott City.

Last month the port board authorized $7,500 to cover costs of getting the engine moved, but earlier this week it increased that to $12,500.

"We have bought it, subject to being able to get it here," Overbey said. "It is just a matter of getting all the details worked out."

Because the engine has friction bearings, it isn't practical to move it as part of a train. The engine could only make the 1,100-mile trip at 25 to 30 mph, and Overbey said railroad officials are concerned that would tie up train traffic.

So, the only economical way to move the engine is to take it apart, putting the 80-ton engine on one flat car and the 20-ton motor and wheels on another. To make that work, Overbey has to hire a company with a crane to do the work in Colorado.

The spur being purchased from Union Pacific is already under construction.

Things have gone well at the port this year, and tonnage passing through the public dock is expected to surpass last year's record.

Through August, 194,677 net tons had passed through the port, compared with 259,338 for all of last year.

A lot of the tonnage is moved on a seasonal basis, and the fall is normally a busy time.