TXNW rail upgrades enhance safety, efficiency, and regional economic growth through FRA CRISI grant investment

The Texas North Western Railway Company (TXNW) has completed significant infrastructure improvements in Etter, Texas, marking a milestone for rail safety, freight mobility and economic development across the Texas Panhandle. The project reflects the goals of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program by strengthening critical supply chain infrastructure while delivering benefits to local communities and the broader rail network.

TXNW was awarded $4.1 million through the FRA’s CRISI program to support a total project investment of $8.2 million under a 50/50 cost share. The CRISI program focuses on projects that improve rail safety, reduce congestion, enhance service reliability, and advance the resilience of freight transportation infrastructure—objectives at the core of TXNW’s investment.

The Etter improvement project rebuilt, reconfigured and extended TXNW’s rail interchange, eliminating a significant operational bottleneck and ensuring the facility can safely handle longer, heavier trains. The upgrades include:

• Relocating and installing new turnouts and constructing new crossovers to improve the fluidity of interchange operations between TXNW and BNSF Railway’s Boise City subdivision.
• Extending two sidings to enable the efficient assembly and disassembly of full-length unit trains.
• Upgrading the track structure to allow for the safe movement of railcars weighing up to 286,000 pounds.
• Installing dual-tone multi-frequency power-controlled switches, reducing manual operations, improving crew safety, and increasing operational efficiency.

Safety and community benefits were central to the project. Improvements to grade crossings, including upgraded active warning devices, new swing gates and extended advance warning times, will enhance public safety.

Beyond infrastructure, the project has driven meaningful economic benefits for Moore County and the region. Over the nine-month construction period, more than 100 new jobs were created directly and indirectly, fueling local activity across hotels, restaurants, fuel suppliers, hardware stores and housing. The project’s completion positions Moore County as a stronger hub for freight logistics, supporting local industries such as agriculture, energy, and manufacturing, while expanding opportunities for future business growth and increasing the local tax base.

TXNW’s progress was made possible through collaboration with federal and state partners, local governments, and key stakeholders. TNW Corporation extends its gratitude to the FRA; Gov. Greg Abbott; U.S. Sen. John Cornyn; U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz; U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (TX-13); the Texas Department of Transportation; officials from Moore County and the cities of Dumas, Sunray and Cactus; and customers including Valero Marketing and Supply, Continental Carbon, Bunge, and Nutrient Ag Solutions, along with interchanging partner BNSF Railway.

TXNW plans to host a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony in late August 2025 to commemorate the project’s completion and recognize the support of all involved.