After the merger the Avard Sub and all of its 100 years of existence, was track warrant control (TWC). There were no signals except at interlockings and between Black Bear (ATSF interlocking at Perry, OK), and just outside Perry. There was only about 20 to 30 trains a day operating on the Avard Sub, mostly intermodal traffic. Then in 2012, BNSF signed an agreement with Asian markets to have containers back in Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, etc.), in 24 days. This meant more intermodal traffic. With the growing demands of crude oil and other general freight trains, BNSF was short on locomotives and train crews. It was crucial to upgrade the Avard Sub. CTC (centralized traffic control) and longer sidings were needed. In 2014 the Avard Sub was upgraded with CTC, PTC (positive train control), longer sidings, and a maximum speed of 70 mph for all qualified intermodal trains.
