World's biggest, fastest undercutter arrives in Ritzville

RITZVILLE – The world’s biggest undercutter train is in Adams County through this Friday.

The train, arrived about 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s Dwayne Streeter.

“It’s the world’s biggest, fastest undercutter,” Streeter said. “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 for...