Tag: TGB Group

  • TGB Hired for Track Design Project in Fort Worth, Texas

    TGB Hired for Track Design Project in Fort Worth, Texas

    Project to include more than 1,000 feet of track, drainage enhancements and connection to an industrial lead track

    TGB Group has contracted with Transwestern Asset Services to design a rail spur as part of a track design project for a large international paper and packaging manufacturing client.  The project is located in the Railhead Industrial Park in north Fort Worth and will be connected to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

    Design for the project was completed in January 2019.  The design included drainage enhancements to the existing site, more than 1,000 feet of track, a concrete road crossing and connection to an existing BNSF-served industrial lead track.  Our track design project team worked with the railroad to fast-track the approval to meet our client’s deadline.

    TGB obtained pricing and awarded the contract to New York- and Texas-based RailWorks, which is responsible for track construction, and Shackelford Construction & Hauling, LLC, of Yazoo City, Miss., which will manage civil construction.  Current plans call for construction of the track design project to start in late February or early March 2019.

    In addition to providing comprehensive design services for this track design project in Texas, TGB personnel will be present at the site during construction to oversee the project, making sure it is built according to our client’s specifications.

    About Railhead Industrial Park

    Railhead Industrial Park is the only industrial complex that offers dual rail service in north Texas.  The west side of the park is bordered by Union Pacific Railroad; Burlington Northern Santa Fe and a primary NAFTA operations yard can be directly accessed on the east side of the park.  When completely built, the park will cover 583.5 acres with about 10 million square feet of office, industrial and warehouse space.

    To learn more about this track design project in the Railhead area of Fort Worth, Texas, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (832) 748-7603

  • Isomeric Industries, Inc. Selects TGB Group for Track Expansion Project

    Isomeric Industries, Inc. Selects TGB Group for Track Expansion Project

    Work started in December at McMahon Wrinkle Industrial Park in Big Spring, Texas

    TGB Group has been selected to design and build Isomeric’s track expansion project at the McMahon Wrinkle Industrial Park in Big Spring, Texas.  We began working with Isomeric to identify locations for a track expansion to support the growth in their business.  Our team provided consulting and conceptual design services to help determine the best location.  Isomeric then selected us to manage the entire process. 

    We’re providing survey, design, bidding services, construction management and on-site construction observation services for the project, which entered the design phase this month.  We expect construction of the track expansion project to be completed early in the second quarter of 2019.

    Track expansion project and other work in Big Spring

    TGB Group has been the civil engineer of choice for rail projects in Big Spring for many years.  We recently completed a large expansion for the Big Spring Railroad’s (BSR) Tarmac Yard and the design of Alor Trucking’s new transloading facility.  Several other rail expansion projects are slated for 2019 that will further expand the Big Spring Railroad’s ability to store railcars for customers as well as transload railcars for customers in need of these services.

    Big Spring Rail Systems, Inc. maintains and operates approximately six miles of rail line in Howard County, Texas, over trackage owned by the City of Big Spring.

    BSR was established in August 2012 as part of an economic development project by the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation.  It was created to initiate opportunities to transport and distribute product for customers, promoting the accessibility and utilization of existing rail service that was not previously possible.  BSR is headquartered in West Chester, Pa.  The firm interchanges traffic with Union Pacific railroad and is located just west of its Big Spring yard.

    Texas state and local officials have recognized the economic growth that coincides with improving transportation infrastructure.  These investments put a focus on transportation projects while benefiting the community and stimulating economic growth.  Big Spring has been referred to as the “crossroads of west Texas” due to it’s being the only city in the western portion of the state with access to interstate highways going north, south, east and west.  In addition to existing highways and an airpark, BSR is building on this with the inclusion of rail service.

    To learn more about this track expansion project, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (832) 748-7603

  • Railcar Unloading Facilities in Gonzales, Texas

    Railcar Unloading Facilities in Gonzales, Texas

    TGB Group providing consulting and design services

    TGB Group was selected to design railcar unloading facilities including a track and an unloading pit for a national feed company.  The firm is locating a new production and distribution center in Gonzales, Texas, about 125 miles west of Houston.

    Railcar unloading facilities to handle cattle feed components

    Our team provided conceptual design drawings for the Texas, Gonzales and Northern Railway that helped to bring this customer to Gonzales.  Now we’re in the process of providing consulting and design services for their track, drainage system and unloading pit.  As part of the railcar unloading facilities, these areas will be used to bring in cattle feed components by railcar and trucks for blending, packaging and distribution in the region.

    We are also assisting this client with site-development services that include drainage plans to keep stormwater away from buildings and roadways at the site.  We’re using AutoTurn software to develop routes though out the property that allow trucks to efficiently enter, load/unload and exit.  When completed, the railcar unloading facilities will allow the client to increase operational efficiency and revenue.

    A little history of Gonzales, Texas, from Wikipedia.

    Gonzales was the site of the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution. In 1831, the Mexican Government gave the town a small cannon for protection against Indian attacks.  At the outbreak of disputes between the Anglo settlers and the Mexican authorities in 1835, a contingent of more than 100 Mexican soldiers was sent from San Antonio to retrieve the cannon.

    When the soldiers arrived, there were only 18 men in Gonzales, but they refused to return the cannon, and soon men from the surrounding area joined them.  Texians, as they were known, under the command of John Henry Moore confronted them.  Sarah DeWitt and her daughter sewed a flag bearing the likeness of the cannon and the words “Come and Take It,” which was flown when the first shots of Texan independence were fired on October 2, 1835.  The Texians successfully resisted the Mexican troops in what became known as the Battle of Gonzales.  (From Wikipedia.)

    To learn more about this railcar unloading facilities project in Gonzales, Texas, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (832) 748-7603

     

    railcar unloading facilities
    The replica “Come And Take It” flag hanging in the Texas State Capitol.

     

  • TGB Group Promoting Safety During the Holidays

    TGB Group Promoting Safety During the Holidays

    Here are some helpful tips for staying safe over the Holidays!

    The best holidays are safe holidays.  Accidents and oversights happen all year long, but during the holiday season people often are more distracted and preoccupied than usual – which is the reason for many of the accidents we experience.  Safety during the holidays means being prepared and alert.

    Here are some tips that will help you make this holiday season the safest and most enjoyable ever.

    Safety during the holidays when traveling

    • Check road conditions and weather before you start off on a holiday trip. This can help prepare you for unexpected circumstances and allow you to plan driving routes around closed highways and roads.
    • Make sure your vehicle is up to date on its servicing. Check the oil level, the radiator, belts, tires (and spare) and other critical components.  If you discover that your vehicle is iffy for a winter trip, you might be better off renting a vehicle instead.  Better safe than sorry.
    • Bring along basic tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and a hammer to service your car in the event of an emergency. Also take flares, matches, bottled water, some food, blankets and other possible necessities.

    Safety during the holidays around the house

    • Never deep fry a frozen turkey. Turkeys should be fully thawed before hitting the oil to prevent excess splattering of grease.
    • When hanging Christmas lights, use your best judgement on whether to climb up a ladder or install the lights while on top of the roof. You should always have another able-bodied person with you to act as a spotter.
    • Before starting a fire in the fireplace, make sure the damper is open. Even a partially closed damper can cause smoke and carbon monoxide to back up into the house.
    • If your pets go outside in the cold, check on them periodically while they’re doing their business or doing whatever it is they do out there. Small bodies get super cold really fast.

    These safety during the holidays tips along with other common-sense ideas will help you to have a great holiday season and be in good shape to kick off the new year.

    Happy Holidays from TGB Group!

     

    safety during the holidays
    The TGB Dogs: Missy, Jagger and Mikko are always safe during the holidays.

     

  • Jacksboro EDA Grant

    Jacksboro EDA Grant

    Grant to help fund Jacksboro Business Park

    Our Business Development Manager, Jake Cooper, is working with the Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation to apply for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant. Once secured, the Jacksboro EDA grant will be used for the engineering and construction of roads, waterlines and sewer for phase one of the Jacksboro Business Park project.

    This industrial park will be suitable for a variety of business needs such as light industrial, manufacturing and office complexes. With a population of approximately 4,500, Jacksboro, Texas, looks to tourism, recreation and land development projects to promote opportunities for business and to foster the creation and retention of new jobs. With assistance from the Jacksboro EDA grant, the business park has the potential of creating some 100 new jobs for the community.

    More about the Jacksboro EDA grant

    EDA is a federal resource that helps cities and counties, based on their needs, through specific grants. The program we are applying for is the EDA Public Works Grant, and it is specifically for the engineering and construction of the roads, waterlines and sewer for this project. The Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation and the City of Jacksboro will maintain ownership and right-of-ways for these items throughout the life of the project.

    About the EDA

    The Economic Development Administration is charged with working in accord with the Federal economic development agenda in regions throughout the United States to help these areas grow their economies and be successful in a worldwide economy. The administration focuses on building innovation and competitiveness within the leadership of regions and communities.

    Programs run by EDA provide resources to meet various economic needs of regions that are in financial distress. Goals include job creation and retention, expanded private investment and innovation, enhanced manufacturing capacities, workforce development and attraction of foreign investment.

    To learn more about the Jacksboro EDA Grant project, please contact:

    Jake Cooper, business development manager, TGB Group: (832) 748-0343

  • Industrial Park Expansion Makes News in Big Spring

    Industrial Park Expansion Makes News in Big Spring

    TGB Group provided engineering design and construction management for the project

    TGB Group is in the news again – this time in Big Spring, Texas, where the company is providing design and construction management services for a major rail industrial park expansion.

    The project, launched by the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation (BSEDC), is big news in this city of approximately 27,000. A July 9, 2018 article on NewsWest9.com based in Midland, Texas, pointed out that the “[railroad] track is the road to expansion for the City of Big Spring.”

    The McMahon-Wrinkle Air and Industrial Park expansion will involve laying an additional 8,000 feet of track and extending the main line track to allow access to properties near the park.

    In a video and accompanying news article, BSEDC Executive Director Terry Wegman said, “This is a continuation of almost six miles of track that we’ve done over the last several years to accommodate existing business and help attract new business to the airport.”

    Video of Big Spring Railroad Project

    Services TGB has been responsible for during the expansion at the former WWII airfield include topographic survey and construction staking; complete engineering design; preparation of necessary forms to obtain FAA, air park and railroad approvals; and construction administration. You can read more about this project in an article we wrote in October of last year.

    TGB President Mike Murphy, who is overseeing his company’s work on the project, told NewsWest9, “The idea is to bring more customers to Big Spring and make them feel comfortable that we have everybody in the room they need to build their project.”

    This is just one of many TGB projects focused on enhancing the economic climate in cities throughout Texas and in nearby states.

  • TGB Reps Attend Texas Economic Development Council Conference

    TGB Reps Attend Texas Economic Development Council Conference

    The Mid-Year Event in Galveston Was a Huge Success

    Representatives from TGB Group attended the Texas Economic Development Council conference last week at the Moody Gardens Hotel Conference Center in Galveston, Texas.

    Before the conference started on Wednesday, June 13, TGB sponsored the annual golf tournament at the Moody Gardens Golf Club. We had a great time with five groups of golfers attending.

    Paddle Boat
    Sunset cruise and bingo trip aboard the Moody Gardens paddle boat.

    In addition to sponsoring the golf tournament, we also supported the TEDC PAC (Political Action Committee) while networking with other TEDC members on the Moody Gardens paddle boat sunset cruise and bingo trip. There were about 100 members on the cruise, and everyone enjoyed the awesome experience, as is the norm at any event connected to a Texas Economic Development Council conference.

    TEDC PAC efforts 

    The Political Action Committee serves as the political arm of the council, the professional association for economic developers within the state of Texas. Created in 1997, the TEDC PAC supports the interests of 850-plus economic developers doing work in Texas. A subcommittee of the TEDC Legislative Committee with representation from across Texas governs TEDC PAC activities.

    The bipartisan committee collects and distributes funds to Texas political candidates and those already in office who wish to build and sustain a robust, competitive environment for economic development activities throughout the state. Contributions are made through collaborative decision-making, with plenty of opportunity for TEDC leadership and members to offer their input. TEDC PAC members can participate in fundraisers and help relay contributions to local representatives.

    You can check out a recap of our involvement in the TEDC conference last February in San Antonio, Texas.

    We look forward to attending the next Texas Economic Development Council conference in Fort Worth, Texas, in October 2018!

  • News on Our Big Spring McMahon Industrial Park Transload Yard Project

    News on Our Big Spring McMahon Industrial Park Transload Yard Project

    Where we are in this multifaceted project

    TGB Group has completed surveying and engineering work for the Big Spring Mahon-Wrinkle Industrial Park Transload Yard, a project that began earlier in the year.

    We are currently working on the construction of the transload yard with Big Spring Economic Development Corporation. Railworks Track Systems and DIFFCO, LLC were the selected rail and civil contractors for the project for which TGB Group is providing construction management services. So far, we have completed the ditching and surfacing and are beginning to fill the ditches with riprap. TGB team member Logan Ortiz P.E. is performing construction observation duties for the project. He is on-site at the industrial park every week, ensuring that the contractors build everything according to client-approved engineering documents.

    Riprap

    Riprap is essentially chunks of rock approximately one to two feet in diameter that are used to prevent erosion. Rocks typically used as riprap include granite, limestone and sometimes concrete. Riprap is particularly important to fill ditches near railroad yards to prevent water from eventually eroding the dirt beneath the track. If erosion is allowed to happen, a void will develop within the dirt under the track. As trains pass over this void, the railroad track will bend and “pump” into the dirt. The only way to fix this void is to have a railroad contractor come and fill in the void, which is an expensive and time-consuming process.

    Drone Footage

    Jake Cooper, TGB’s business development manager, took some drone footage of the construction in the transload yard. The first video is footage for the entire project from the south end, to the north end.

    This second video is closer footage from about the middle, to the north end.

    To learn more about our work with the Big Spring McMahon Industrial Park Transload Yard, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (832) 748-7603

  • TGB Group Sponsors Transportation Club of Houston Golf Tournament

    TGB Group Sponsors Transportation Club of Houston Golf Tournament

    Event helps raise money for scholarships

    Jake Cooper, TGB Group’s business development manger.

    TGB Group was a key sponsor of the recent Transportation Club of Houston golf tournament held at Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, Texas.  In addition to providing a great time for the many participants from transportation, logistics and port companies, the event focused on raising money for college scholarships for individuals wanting to enter the transportation industry.

    We helped the money-raising effort by donating a state-of-the-art putter from Odyssey Golf as one of the raffle prizes.  For a year now, TGB has sponsored and supported the Transportation Club of Houston, and we’ve enjoyed the relationships we’ve built with many groups and individuals associated with the organization.

    About the Transportation Club of Houston

    The club was founded in 1915 and has been an active partner in helping Houston to become the capital of Texas commerce.  Serving the community through involvements in education, volunteerism and scholarships, the club embraces a mission that “fosters the networking, interaction, and education of stakeholders for all modes of transportation.”

    With a focus on helping students obtain college degrees in the fields of logistics and transportation, the club raises thousands of dollars each year for scholarships at accredited higher-learning institutions.  The majority of all scholarship funding is generated through annual spring and fall golf tournaments.

    Our participation

    TGB Group believes strongly in higher education and training for individuals seeking to enter the wide variety of transportation-related fields.  We typically send two of our employees to the Transportation Club of Houston golf tournaments to help with their scholarships campaign.  Along with playing the course, we also sponsor a hole and provide door prizes, which help bring more people to the event.

    We’d like to encourage everyone to give of their time and/or money to help the many great community-based organizations we have here in Houston.  Together we can make a big change for the better.