After five years of being out of commission, the Eygelshoven Army Depot rail line is now back to full operations.
U. S. Army Garrison Benelux Commander Col. Lindsay Matthews celebrated the momentous occasion alongside local installation staff and mission partners with a ribbon cutting ceremony May 19.
“This is a big win,” said Erica Nowells, Eygelshoven Army Prepositioned Stock-2 (APS-2) site manager. “Now we have multiple ways of supporting [Army Field Support Battalion-Benelux (AFSBn-Benelux)] with their mission throughout Europe.”
The U.S. Army acquired the Eygelshoven Army Depot in 2016, turning it into an APS-2 site and the headquarters for the AFSBn-Benelux.
From the very start, the 65-year-old rail line previously used to transport heavy equipment was deemed unfit for use.
“Rail is so important in Europe,” said Dwayne Key, USAG Benelux-Brunssum deputy garrison manager. “Only three [APS-2] sites actually have rail, so the ability to deliver this type of infrastructure to the 405th [Army Field Support Brigade] and the Army is really significant. Making sure our tenant’s mission is always protected and ready to execute – that’s what we’re here to do.”
However, before work could begin on renovating the rail many steps had to be taken to prepare for the project.
Source : Army
