Franklin Connection - Serving Franklin County, WA

RITZVILLE – After wrapping up railroad track maintenance in Franklin County last week, the world's largest undercutter has moved to adjacent Adams County.

The train will remain in Adams County through the remainder of the week, according to Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Dwayne Streeter.

"It's the world's biggest, fastest undercutter," Streeter said of the train that moved from Pasco to Ritzville last Wednesday. "The RM802 UC01."

The undercutter cleans the ballast underneath the railroad track.

"It cleans mud holes, sort of like fixing potholes in the road," Streeter said. "It replaces the ballast."

"An undercutter essentially lifts the tracks, removes and cleans the ballast, and replaces it for a smoother ride, better drainage, and so forth," local train enthusiast Brian Bothun said.

Streeter said they last worked in Pasco, and will head to Libby, Mont., when they are done in Adams County.