May 18, 2026

Greetings From Charlotte

Modern Railway Systems (MRS) and Stacy Witbeck recently completed the first of three major shutdowns for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) South End Station Project. Despite receiving the executed contract and laydown yard access on a compressed timeline, the team hit the ground running and delivered a high quality product through strong collaboration, planning, and technical expertise.

The shutdown included ten days of single tracking, followed by five days of an absolute shutdown, and culminated with seven days of single tracking operations. The work presented several challenges due to limited laydown areas and restricted site access, as the new crossover and station are located mid block between two existing crossings. Access was further complicated by the adjacent CATS Rail Trail, a heavily trafficked pedestrian and bicycle path. Even with traffic control measures in place, the team remained vigilant in maintaining public safety as pedestrians frequently ignored sidewalk closure and detour signage.

During the shutdown, Stacy Witbeck completed all track related work, including installation of a new universal crossover, a new pedestrian crossing, four insulated joints for future signals, and rail re-profiling for the future South End Station platforms. The team also poured ten new OCS foundations and installed the majority of the intertrack fencing.

MRS played a critical role in advancing the signal scope by installing four switches (Hitachi M23As with IECC) and layout kits. The design, operations, and testing teams developed a temporary point indication solution from an existing signal house to protect CATS revenue service vehicles until the permanent signal house is installed and commissioned next spring.

The modifications included nearly 10,000 feet of new cabling, five MicroLok program updates across two locations, and a TDX update to display the new switch point indications at the Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC). The testing team also adjusted impacted track circuits to ensure proper shunting and cab speed through the new special trackwork sections.

MRS construction crews, with support from Stacy Witbeck and subcontractor MORCON Construction, also utilized the shutdown window to install conduit duct banks and laterals beneath both tracks to support future wayside signal devices. The team additionally placed four new signal foundations and approximately 500 feet of new cable trough.

CATS successfully conducted dynamic testing, and trains are now operating on both tracks. This marks a major milestone for the project and helps pave the way for installation of the new overhead catenary equipment during the upcoming fall outage.

This achievement reflects the hard work, coordination, and commitment of Stacy Witbeck, MRS, and the numerous subcontractors who contributed to making this milestone possible. 

MORCON Construction, shared "We are grateful for the opportunity to support MRS and SW by providing safe, sound, and quality services. Our team takes great pride in the work we do, and recognition like this reinforces the value of working together toward a common goal." - Myron Ross

Work will continue through the spring and summer in support of the planned opening of the new pedestrian crossing later this year.

MRS OCS crews will return during an additional shutdown this fall to install new OCS poles, two crossover wire runs, and various additional OCS components.

Together, these efforts continue to move the South End Station Project forward.