I know this has been mentioned in a number of threads, specifically Moore and Norman ones, but I have a legit question:

Why is there only a single railroad track in many places in Moore and Norman? Why are there not two "lanes" so that the trains could keep moving and not have to wait for others to pass, specifically in highly populated areas?

It seems like if we were ever to want commuter rail going to Norman, there certainly would have to be at least two full tracks going from Norman to OKC.

Its BNSF. Has nothing to do with cities or state. The line doesn't have significant traffic on it to warrant double tracking quite like their transcon route between LA & Chicago.

It’s an issue of economics.

But it would be nice if the track was doubled with sidings. It would help freight move through and reduce idling. It would also be needed for a commuter rail system.

Local and state governments should encourage double tracking and when they have an opportunity to build an over or under pass it should include room for a second track.

If a second track is installed we need to do our best to make sure that it’s done correctly and that it will hold up well. We don’t need slow orders on a commuter rail system.

When they built the tracks, there were far fewer trains, and thus no need. As for now, I imagine it's as simple as the expense of right of way acquisition and track construction still outstrips the benefit of any significant rail bed expansion.

When they built the tracks, there were far fewer trains, and thus no need. ...

Plus the most of the places that traffic is an issue were farmland before the 40's. Moore looks like it was only on one side of the track at the time.

Also it would not be surprising that there were more sidings in both towns when the trains were the primary long distance travel method, they both have the space for them in the core of each town and the parking lot + James Garner Ave next to the rail yard in Norman looks like they probably were a rail yard at one time.

When they built the tracks, there were far fewer trains, and thus no need. As for now, I imagine it's as simple as the expense of right of way acquisition and track construction still outstrips the benefit of any significant rail bed expansion.


The railroad company doesn’t need any additional right of way. They have plenty of room for a second set of tracks and probably a third if needed. However where the ground relief is greatest they may need to construct a few retaining walls to contain their berms to their own right of way.

The steel for tracks and signaling equipment is a major cost factor.

Plus the most of the places that traffic is an issue were farmland before the 40's. Moore looks like it was only on one side of the track at the time.

Also it would not be surprising that there were more sidings in both towns when the trains were the primary long distance travel method, they both have the space for them in the core of each town and the parking lot + James Garner Ave next to the rail yard in Norman looks like they probably were a rail yard at one time.

There is still a very old small siding along James Garner Ave.
I have seen railroad repair equipment parked on it before.

It seems like if we were ever to want commuter rail going to Norman, there certainly would have to be at least two full tracks going from Norman to OKC.

You're right...there will need to be two continuous mainlines between Norman and OKC, as well as between Edmond and OKC. Currently there is a single continuous mainline between Norman and Edmond. Along some sections of the corridor there is a second track currently in place. Those are either sidings for passing or accessing commercial or industrial facilities. So, before we can initiate commuter rail service, an agreement will have to be reached with BNSF to build a second continuous mainline within their right-of-way. Double-tracking the corridor will be the single biggest cost in developing the commuter rail system.

The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments is preparing to undertake a comprehensive Alternative Analysis study of the Norman to OKC, Emdond to OKC and Midwest City/Tinker AFB to OKC commuter rail corridors. URS Corporation (http://www.urscorp.com/index.php), a major international rail transit consulting firm, will be conducting the study over the next 18 months. As part of the study, URS will be determining the costs for commuter rail infrastructure, including double-tracking and widening of railroad bridges.

Little history for Central Oklahoma...

A long time ago a lot of smaller companies built railroad lines through bigger cities east of the I-35 corridor. Those railroad lines were later acquired by AT&SF. Basically the Santa Fe had an eastern branch that diverged at Newkirk and ran towards Cushing & Shawnee where it then reconnected with the main line around Pauls Valley.

Unfortunately, much of this line was abandoned in the mid 1940's thus leaving us with the single line through OKC. Had these lines never been abandoned, we might see through freight today running northbound through OKC and southbound traffic running over the eastern line--much like Powder River Basin coal trains running to Texas via the lines through Clayton, NM (northbound) and Boise City, OK (southbound).

Does anyone know if there are "new train track routes" being built these days or are they done building train tracks? And, Im not talking about commuter lines in the cities. I can't recall the last time I saw a new track route built.

The only ones I know of is if was a previous route that was abandoned years before, otherwise, no.