RT&S March 2018

Shortline and regional

Railroads: A force behind the North American economic engine

march 2018 | www.rtands.com

bettering ballast

Polishing ballast maintenance practices.

Report: NRC Conference

Opportunity abounds for association members.

And also

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February 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 1

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contents

March 2018

FEATURES

18

Ballast maintenance Delivery and maintenance methods continue their productivity and efficiency evolution.

26

18 NEWS

DEPARTMENTS

4

Industry Today BNSF state programs; FRA and NTSB updates; as well as SANDAG’s new bridge.

14

TTCI A new way to assess ballast condition is evaluated.

6

Supplier News Acquisitions, contracts and other news

35

8

People New hires, promotions and appointments

AREMA News Rail service failure management is discussed.

Shortline and regional railroads A round up of recent stories shows how North America’s smaller railroads deliver big results to the communities they serve.

30

NRC Conference report Our recap highlights the presentations, special awards and other information put forth at the annual gathering.

COLUMNS

3

Products

40

Calendar

On Track What was that sound?

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad worked with partners to improve a more than 100-year-old bridge over the Wisconsin River. Story on page 26.

41 41

Ad Index

11

Cover Photo Credit: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad

42

Classifieds Advertising

44

Professional Directory

Herzog Railroad Services, Inc.

39

Sales Representatives

NRC Chairman’s Column Next: Railroad Day on Capitol Hill and NRC Auction

Follow Us On Social Media @RTSMag

rtands.com

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 1

KEEPING COMMERCE ON TRACK

For over 110 years, Harsco Rail has been a leader in the industry. The company continues to provide high-quality products and services while exceeding customer expectations with innovative solutions for the maintenance of way.

Best-In-Class Equipment Cutting-Edge Safety and Efficiency Technology Contracting Services Parts and Service On-Site Training Products and Services

On Track

What was that sound?

Vol. 114, No. 3 Print ISSN # 0033-9016, Digital ISSN # 2160-2514 EDITORIAL OFFICES 20 South Clark Street, Suite 1910 Chicago, Ill. 60603 Telephone (312) 683-0130 Fax (312) 683-0131 Website www.rtands.com Mischa Wanek-Libman Editor mischa@sbpub.com Kyra Senese Managing Editor ksenese@sbpub.com CORPORATE OFFICES 55 Broad St 26th Fl. New York, N.Y. 10004 Telephone (212) 620-7200 Fax (212) 633-1165 Arthur J. McGinnis, Jr. President and Chairman Jonathan Chalon Publisher Mary Conyers Production Director Nicole Cassano Art Director Aleza Leinwand Graphic Designer Maureen Cooney Circulation Director Michelle Zolkos Conference Director Customer Service: 800-895-4389 Reprints: PARS International Corp.

253 West 35th Street 7th Floor New York, NY 10001 212-221-9595; fax 212-221-9195 curt.ciesinski@parsintl.com

D

id you hear?

After a long wait and much political chess, Ron Batory was finally sworn in as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration on Feb. 28.

POLITICO’s “Morning Transportation” newsletter included this about Batory’s installation as Administrator, “That sound you hear is a collective sigh from pretty much everybody who works in or with the rail industry.”

If you do not know Administrator Batory personally or by reputation, here’s what you need to know (in an extremely condensed nutshell): He’s a railroader, who knows what he’s doing.

He has a railroader’s sense of humor.

Take this excerpt from his swearing-in speech regarding the extended process from nomination to Administrator: “...I was ‘held away from home terminal’ from Aug. 2 to Nov. 19 of last year and on ‘initial terminal delay’ until today...I’m ready to release the brakes and throttle out.”

In that same speech, he did what every good railroader does at the start of a job and put the emphasis on safety by calling it a keystone of the industry and committing that it will be a “consistent priority” of his.

He also noted that safety and innovation must be coupled together and stated that FRA will foster and encourage the industry’s journey toward advancing technology.

“Economic growth can be propelled by fact-based, data driven analysis and decision making,” said Administrator Batory.

“We must aggressively embrace the internet of things and artificial intelligence, along with seeking autonomous functions that can foster an environment towards minimal to non-existent risk.”

He continued, “...I’ve always sought constructive change. You cannot fear failure. If you do, it becomes a lock on the door that keeps you from entering the unknown side of creative innovation.”

Striving toward constructive change comes at a critical time for the FRA. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on commuter railroad progress toward implementing positive train control said the FRA has not systematically communicated information or used a risk-based approach to help these railroads prepare for the 2018 deadline or qualify for an extension. The U.S. Department of Transportation is working to improve FRA’s oversight and Administrator Batory will be a key player in making sure this happens.

The FRA has not been rudderless in this new administration, but it, and the industry, will benefit from having a strong leader with the kind of real world experience Mr. Batory has.

Mischa Wanek-Libman Editor

Railway Track & Structures (Print ISSN 0033-9016, Digital ISSN 2160-2514), (USPS 860-560), (Canada Post Cust. #7204564; Agreement #40612608; IMEX P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, Canada) is published monthly by Simmons-Boardman Publ. Corp, 55 Broad St. 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Printed in the U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Railway Track & Structures, P.O. Box 3135, Northbrook, IL 60062-3135.

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 3

Industry today

B

NSF Railway detailed state capital programs it plans to execute in nine states worth an estimated $1.37 billion. The state programs represent more than 41 percent of the Class 1’s planned $3.3 billion 2018 capital program and the majority of the state plans focus on maintenance activities.

Texas will see the largest of the programs with an estimated $375 million set to strengthen the railroad’s more than 2,600mile network in the state. BNSF says more than half of the investment will be spent on maintenance while the remainder will go toward expansion projects.

This year, the maintenance program in Texas includes approximately 1,400 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of nearly 40 miles of rail and more than 450,000 crossties. On the expansion side, BNSF plans to complete work this year to quadruple main line track of more than four miles of the Hereford Subdivision through Amarillo. On the Wichita Falls Subdivision, which runs between Wichita Falls and Fort Worth, crews will complete installation of Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) on the entire subdivision, install one new siding and extend another to increase capacity, as well as address increased train flows. In the Houston area on the Conroe Subdivision, construction is scheduled to begin on a new connection and siding in Dobbin to help facilitate train flows between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.

BNSF also anticipates the completion of

4 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

expansion projects started in 2016 at its Alliance Intermodal Facility and the railroad plans to begin construction to replace its existing bridge over the Trinity River near downtown Fort Worth.

“Texas has more miles of rail than any other state, with roughly 440 million tons of agricultural, energy, industrial and consumer products moving via the state’s rail lines each year. By performing regular maintenance and capacity projects in the state, BNSF is fulfilling its commitment to operate as safely, reliably and efficiently as possible,” said Janssen Thompson, general manager of operations, Red River Division.

In Washington state, the railroad plans a $160 million program that includes approximately 490 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of about 40 miles of rail and close to 230,000 crossties. Along the Fallbridge Subdivision, BNSF plans to install new double-track between Washougal and Mt. Pleasant. The company will also begin to install new double-track along the Spokane Subdivision between Hauser, Idaho and Spokane. Two bridge replacement projects are also slated to begin this year in Home Valley and North Bonneville. The construction of a new unloading track and additional parking capacity at the Orillia Automotive Facility is also planned for 2018.

BNSF’s Illinois network will see a $150 million capital program, which includes more than 650 miles of track surfacing and/ or undercutting work, as well as the

replacement of nearly 30 miles of rail and about 250,000 crossties.

The railroad’s $135 million Montana program includes approximately 820 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of nearly 60 miles of rail and about 200,000 crossties.

Multiple projects are scheduled on the Kootenai River Subdivision, such as the signalization of various sidings on the subdivision between Sandpoint and Whitefish to enable CTC and make improvements to the Flathead Tunnel, the seven-mile long railroad tunnel in northwest Montana.

The $130 million program planned in Kansas includes approximately 900 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of nearly 20 miles of rail and close to 140,000 crossties. BNSF will also construct two bridges in Quenemo, and add parking bays at the Kansas City Automotive Facility.

The railroad’s $120 million Missouri program includes approximately 730 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, the replacement of nearly 30 miles of rail and about 220,000 crossties. The changeout of the bridge over the Grand River near Bosworth will also be completed this year.

Oklahoma and Nebraska will each see a $110 million program. BNSF plans to surface approximately 620 miles of track, install nearly 30 miles of rail and more than 230,000 crossties in Oklahoma, as well as install a new siding on the Avard Subdivision. The 2018 maintenance program in Nebraska includes more than 1,000 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of about 60 miles of rail and close to 90,000 crossties.

New Mexico will see approximately 1,600 miles of surfacing work, nearly 15 miles of rail replacement and more than 110,000 crossties as part of the $80 million state plan. BNSF will also advance expansion projects in the state, such as one along the Gallup Subdivision.

“The Southern Transcon is the rail equivalent of a superhighway, making it an ideal route for high-priority, containerized traffic.

The construction of the third main line between Belen and Dalies as well as scheduled maintenance activities for 2018 show our dedication to our customers to provide a safe, efficient and reliable network,” said Keary Walls, general manager of operations, Southwest Division. rtands.com

BNSF Railway

BNSF outlines capital plans for nine states

Industry today

SANDAG opens new 900-foot San Diego River rail bridge The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) opened a new rail bridge over the San Diego River to traffic on Monday, Feb. 5.

The 900-foot bridge is part of the $93.9-million San Diego River Double Track (SDRDT) Project that will increase the passenger and freight rail capacity and improve service for commuters.

The new bridge is one of two that will be built during the double track project. The second bridge will be built parallel to the first following demolition of the old rail bridge. The project began in 2016 and construction should be complete in 2019.

SANDAG explained that the San Diego River Bridge is a critical component of the double-tracking effort, as it is the only single-track segment south of Balboa Avenue. Once the parallel bridge is constructed and operational, the result will be a continuous seven-mile double track segment from Garnet Avenue/Balboa Avenue

to the Santa Fe Depot.

“The San Diego River Double Track project is a critical piece of the effort to double track the coastal rail corridor in San Diego,” said SANDAG Board Chair and Del Mar City Councilman Terry Sinnott. “Double tracking will support the growth in rail service and increase safety and reliability – these are critical improvements to San Diego’s only rail connection to the rest of the nation.”

Double tracking the rail line is a priority for SANDAG and the North County Transit District, which operates the San Diego County section of Los Angeles-San DiegoSan Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) corridor. The LOSSAN corridor spans six counties, runs 351 miles and is the second busiest intercity passenger rail corridor, behind the Northeast Corridor.

Partial funding for the project comes from a grant from the California State Transportation Agency, which awarded $66 million in Cap and Trade auction proceeds

to complete three coastal rail projects in San Diego, including the San Diego River Double Track project.

Concurrent with this project, SANDAG is constructing the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, an 11-mile extension of the San Diego Trolley within the same right-of-way. SANDAG is coordinating closely between the two projects to ensure smooth construction and effective use of space and resources.

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March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 5

Industry today

C D P Q I N F R A a w a rd e d t w o consortia, Groupe NouvLR and Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais, with contracts for the Réseau Express Métropolitain project.

It’s official: Ronald Batory sworn in as FRA administrator

The Chicago Infrastructure Trust received four responses to its RFQ for design-build work for the O’Hare Express operating system, including The Boring Company, Oaktree Capital Management, O’Hare Express Train Partners and O’Hare Xpress LLC. D a l l a s A r e a R a p i d Tr a n s i t awarded a $124 million contract to civil engineering firm LOCKWOOD, ANDREWS & NEWNAM, INC. to manage the extension of platforms at 28 of its stations.

DEWBE RRY will ser ve as the lead designer on a combination design-bid-build and design-build team for the L .K. COMSTOCK & COMPANY, INC.’s $66 million installation of a second track for Long Island Rail Road.

SIEMENS will provide the power infrastructure for the Sound Transit light-rail system’s latest expansion, including 13 traction power substations.

STANTEC will serve as the lead engineer on the Long Island Rail expansion project that will revamp the railroad’s Main Line.

O n ta r i o i s p a r t n e r i n g w i t h TORONTO HYDRO to build an energy storage system to provide back-up power to the Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit line.

WABTEC CORPORATION signed a contract valued at about $62 million to implement its positive train control technology along the Central Florida Rail Corridor, the operator for the SunRail commuter line.

6 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

On Feb. 28, Ronald L. Batory was sworn in

by U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao as the 14th Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Administrator Batory comes to the FRA with more than 45 years of railroading experience, including serving as president and chief operating officer of Conrail from 2004

until his retirement in April 2017.

“Ron Batory brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Federal Railroad Administration during a critical time for rail and passenger safety,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “His 45-year career in the operation and maintenance of railroads will be of great value in helping to implement new safety technology and improve compliance with safety alerts.”

“Railroads are an integral part of America’s transportation system and vital to our national economy,” said Administrator Batory. “In addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead, my goal is to use datadriven decision making to further enhance safety while embracing leveraging innovative new technologies that will revolutionize America’s rail transportation network.”

As administrator, Batory is responsible for managing the agency’s regulatory oversight of more than 800 railroads, including enforcement of safety laws and regulations.

He will provide leadership and direction for FRA-administered financial assistance programs, national freight and passenger rail policy, as well as research and development activities that support improved railroad safety, efficiency and reliability.

NRC accepting applications for $15k 2018 Education Grant Program The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) is accepting applications through May 4, 2018, for a $15,000 grant to be awarded to a rail-focused educational institution.

According to the NRC, the 2018 Education Grant Program for College, University or Technical Schools is open to all schools in North America that provide or are looking to provide students with a foundation that would allow them to work successfully in the rail construction and maintenance contracting industry.

Current NRC Board member and outgoing NRC Education Committee Chairman Daniel Stout added, “The NRC’s mission was to institute a program that invests in the education and growth of potential future employees in our

industry and we are glad to see this grant do just that by supporting our past winner’s rail curricula at the University of Tennessee Center for Transportation Research and the Penn State Altoona Rail Transportation Engineering program.

Both schools have used the funds to help facilitate a unique learning environment for their students that is rooted in railroad related principles. Looking ahead, we are eager to receive applications for the 2018 Grant Program later this year and the continued investment in our industry’s future.”

The association explains that the education grant funds are intended for targeted student educational and research purposes and are not to be used for administrative, general fund or institution or program overhead costs. rtands.com

USDOT

Supplier News

Industry today

NTSB issues three safety recommendations following freight, passenger accidents The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued three urgent safety recommendations, two to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and one to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) based on the agency’s findings in two ongoing railroad accident investigations.

NTSB recommends that FRA “Issue an Emergency Order directing railroads to require that when signal suspensions are in effect and a switch has been reported relined for a main track, the next train or locomotive to pass the location must approach the switch location at restricted speed. After the switch position is verified, the train crew must report to the dispatcher that the switch is correctly lined for the main track before trains are permitted to operate at maximum-authorized speed.”

The recommendation is based on NTSB’s investigation of the Feb. 4, 2018, collision of an Amtrak train and a CSX train near Cayce,

S.C. NTSB says that investigators found that on the day before the accident, CSX personnel suspended the traffic control signal system to install updated traffic control system components for the implementation of positive train control. NTSB says the lack of signals required dispatchers to use track warrants to move trains through the work territory.

NTSB explains that during signal suspension, safe movement of trains depends upon proper switch alignment that relies on error-free manual work, which was not safeguarded by either technology or supervision, creating a single point of failure.

The NTSB concludes additional measures are needed to ensure safe operations during signal suspension, prompting the safety recommendation to the FRA. NTSB’s recommendation to MTA stems from its investigation of the June 10, 2017, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) accident in

which a roadway worker died near Queens Village, N.Y. During the investigation of the LIRR accident, the NTSB identified an improper practice by LIRR roadway workers who were working on or near the tracks.

LIRR employees were using “train approach warning” as their method of on-track safety, but they did not clear the track, as required, when trains approached and their “predetermined place of safety” did not comply with LIRR rules and procedures.

NTSB says it is concerned LIRR management is overlooking and therefore normalizing noncompliance with safety rules and regulations for proper clearing of tracks while using “train approach warning” for worker protection. The two urgent safety recommendations to the MTA call for MTA to audit LIRR’s use of “train approach warning” for worker protection, and, to implement corrective action for deficiencies found through the audit.

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We had a 2-day spec review with BNSF in Fort Worth. The first day we looked at trucks and collected ideas on how to improve the product. That night TJ took the ideas back to his hotel to draw them into concepts. When the spec review concluded Chad Berens, from BNSF, thanked us and called out TJ to recognize his efforts. We received a standing ovation, due in large part to TJ and the outstanding job he did in putting together the concept drawings overnight.

This is the 1st and only time we have received applause, let alone a standing ovation, at the end of the meeting.

TJ RIZO - Engineering

“

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March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 7

Industry today

People An international search for a new CEO of CANADIAN NATIONAL was launched following the news that Luc Jobin would leave the railroad. JeanJaque Ruest has been appointed by th e board to ser ve as interim president and CEO until a permanent replacement is found.

HNTB CORPOR ATION brought on Edmond Hunter, CCM, as a senior transit and rail project manager. HNTB also named Joseph Pizzurro, PE, as its new transit and rail practice leader in a newly-created position serving the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. HNTB named Gordon Clark, PE, vice president, as West Division tunnel practice leader. Mark Ramsey was appointed as West Division tunnel practice construction management and delivery leader and vice president.

T h e M I DWE S T AS S O C I ATI O N of RAIL SHIPPERS elected its 2018 slate of of f i c e r s: H a r r y Za n d e r, Tr i n i t y Rail, (President); Tom Surma, Ingredion, (Firs t V ice Presid e nt); an d Stefan Loeb, Watco Companies, (Second Vice President).

T h e N ational R ailroad Construction and Maintenance Association promoted Matt Bell to executive vice president – chief operating officer.

Kevin Corbett will serve as the next executive director for NEW JERSEY TRANSIT following a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors.

Th e N E W YO R K M E TRO PO LITAN T R A N S P O R TAT I O N A U T H O R I T Y appointed Catherine Rinaldi as the sixth president of MTA METRO-NORTH RAILROAD. Rinaldi is the first woman to

serve in this capacity.

The province of ONTARIO named David Collenette as the leader of its High Speed Rail Planning Advisory Board.

Russell L. Arnold will serve as SOUND TRANSIT’s chief customer experience officer, a newly created position at the agency.

Te d L a c h u s , P. E ., j o i n e d S T V, INC., as a vice president in the firm’s Transportation & Infrastructure Division.

He will head the firm’s Chicago office.

Th e TR I M E T B o a rd of D i re c to rs named Chief Operating Of f icer Doug Kelsey as the agency’s next general manager.

WS P USA n am e d Agn es O t to as a re a m a n a g e r resp o n si b l e fo r tra n s p o r ta ti o n a n d i nf ra s tr u c tu re operations in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Oklahoma.

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WHILE CREATING THE CIM CAR, WE DEVELOPED AN INTEGRATED REAL-TIME INTELLIGENCE SOLUTION, IRIS. This technology platform delivers real-time processing.

IRIS provides the railroads, or any client, faster access to field conditions—allowing for operational decision-making based on current conditions rather than using traditional data collection methods that take 2 to 3 weeks to process.

Interest Form For nrC 2018 raIlroad ConstruCtIon and m aIntenanCe e quIpment a uCtIon – a prIl 26, 2018

Fill out form and email to Matt Bell at mbell@nrcma.org • Full auction information at www.nrcma.org/2018auction Auction begins 8 a.m. in Lonoke, Arkansas, Thursday, April 26, 2018 – expected finish by 1 p.m.

Located at Blackmon Auctions, 425 Blackmon Road, Lonoke, Arkansas 72086 Equipment inspection available 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Shipment & Delivery of Equipment: To schedule shipment or delivery of equipment for the auction, please contact Thomas Blackmon of Blackmon Auctions at 501-352-4702 or thomas@blackmonauctions.com.

Happy Hour/Social event: Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Lobby Bar at the Courtyard by Marriott Little Rock Downtown Hotel: Discounted room block available at Courtyard by Marriott Little Rock Downtown, 521 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201

Name: _________________________________ Company:______________________________ Phone: _________________________________ Email:_________________________________ Check all that apply:

_____ My company is interested in donating equipment to the Auction. 100% of the proceeds of the sale will go to the NRC Safety, Training and Education Fund. My company will receive the tax deduction benefits. _____ My company is interested in consigning equipment to the Auction. My company will receive 100% of the proceeds of the sale, minus a 2% seller’s fee which will go to the NRC Safety, Training and Education Fund. _____ My company is interested in sending a representative to consider purchasing equipment at the Auction. I understand that I do not need to register ahead of time with the NRC for this event, but should contact Blackmon Auctions for an Official Auction Catalog. The auction will begin promptly at 8 a.m., April 26, 2018.

Auctioneer: Blackmon Auctions, Inc. Thomas Blackmon Jr., Vice President Phone: 501-664-4526 • thomas@blackmonauctions.com P.O. Box 7464, Little Rock, Arkansas 72217 www.blackmonauctions.com

Host Association: National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) Matt Bell, Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer Phone: 202-715-1264 • mbell@nrcma.org 410 1st St., Ste. 200, Washington, D.C., 20003 www.nrcma.org

NRC Auction Committee: Danny Brown (Chairman) CTE Rail 810-397-3533 dbrown@u1source.com

Deric Berry Herzog Contracting Corp (816) 901-4058 dberry@herzog.com

Daniel Daugherty Progress Rail Services (810) 252-7729 ddaugherty@progressrail.com

Mark Gaffney Stacy & Witbeck (510) 748-1870 mgaffney@stacywitbeck.com

Jay Gowan RailWorks Corporation 803-822-9160 jgowan@railworks.com

Matt Harbison Danella (610) 680-0640 mharbison@danella.com

Russ Gehl Holland (708) 367-2952 rgehl@hollandco.com

Paul Laurello Delta Railroad Construction (440) 992-2997 paul@deltarr.com

Mark Snailham Balfour Beatty (904) 378-7101 msnailham@BBIIUS.com

Greg Spilker Encore Rail Systems (303) 956-3796 gs@encorers.com

NRC Chairman’s Column

Next: Railroad Day on Capitol Hill and NRC Auction

A

“

With spring upon us, we are all working diligently to prepare for the 2018 construction season. It is a busy and exciting time for contractors...

The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Inc. 410 1st Street, S.E. Suite 200 Washington D. C. 20003 Tel: 202-715-2920 www.nrcma.org info@nrcma.org rtands.com

s I write this, Railroad Day on Capitol Hill is fast approaching! Railroaders from all over the country and from all different segments of the railroad industry descended on Washington, D.C., to show the breadth, depth and passion of our industry and get our message to our elected representatives. We hit our key messages hard on not over-regulating the industry, keeping current truck size and weight maximums and making the shortline rehabilitation tax credit permanent.

Dozens of NRC contractor and supplier members are always proud to be part of such a great effort.

With spring upon us, we are all working diligently to prepare for the 2018 construction season. It is a busy and exciting time for contractors, with owners pushing work out to bid and our estimating teams bidding and working hard to bring in activity. Safety personnel are getting the workers’ annual training completed, project managers are planning and scheduling work and our equipment managers and mechanics are getting the f leets ready. Let’s make every day a safe day and send all our employees home at the end of each work day in the same shape as when they arrived.

As we get ready for the 2018 construction season, we are all putting together lists of equipment we need for this season. We are also seeing what we have in excess: unutilized and underutilized equipment that we can either repurpose or turn into cash for reinvestment in our companies.

We’ve got an event that can help: the 2018 NRC Rail Construction and Maintenance Equipment Auction will be held April 26 at Blackmon Auctions, 425 Blackmon Road, Lonoke, Ark. We hope this year’s auction will be one of our best, with equipment expected to come in from all over the country. Equipment at past auctions has included tampers, TRIPP Machines, Pettibones, TKOs, TR-10s, regulators, scarifiers, backhoes, bulldozers, hi-rail welding trucks, cribbers and adzers, tie cranes and more. To get the latest, go to www.nrcma.org/auction or https://blackmonauctions.com/project/ nrc-rail-equipment-auction.

Anyone is welcome to attend the auction to bid on equipment. Also, all contractors, suppliers and railroads are invited to sell or donate their equipment. For all equipment consigned to sell, a portion of the buyer’s premium and all of the seller’s fee goes to the NRC Safety, Training, and Education Program. For donated equipment, 100 percent of the proceeds go the NRC Safety, Training, and Education Program.

These programs support some of the NRC’s most important activities, such as the production of the two new safety videos each year. Video #23 on “Fatigue” and Video #24 on “Recognizing Signs and Symptoms” just came out in January.

We encourage everyone to come out for the auction and join us for the Happy Hour and social event that will be held the night before the auction: April 25, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Courtyard by Marriott Little Rock Downtown. It is always a great time to catch up with old friends, make new ones and discuss the equipment that will be available the next day.

Finally, I wish everyone a safe and successful month. Don’t forget to save the date for the next NRC Conference: Jan. 6 – 9, 2019, at the J. W. Marriott Resort, Marco Island, Fla. Put it in your calendar now!

Mike Choat NRC Chairman

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 11

LIGHT RAIL 2018 PRESENTED BY RAILWAY AGE AND RT&S

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Professional engineers will receive PDH certificates

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Sponsorships & Exhibits Available Contact Jonathan Chalon at 212.620.7224, jchalon@sbpub.com 18 RAILWAY AGE January 2016

Keynote Address Kevin B. Quinn Jr. Administrator Maryland DOT MTA

Change & Growth in Toronto Josh Colle Chairman

Toronto Transit Commission

System Safety Steve Vecerina Manager of Training

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail

Maintenance Quality & Asset Management Anthony Fazio, P.E. Director, Track Engineering & Design SEPTA

Supporting Organizations

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TTCI r&D

Ballast inspection goes digital TTCI evaluates a new approach to inspecting ballast and assessing ballast condition.

by Mike McHenry, senior engineer II, Transportation Technology Center, Inc.; Erol Tutumluer, professor, Paul F. Kent Endowed Faculty Scholar; John M. Hart, principal research engineer; Maziar Moaveni, post-doctoral research associate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

R

ailroad ballast provides stability and drainage for tracks that carry freight and passenger traffic. As a granular material, the ballast layer becomes degraded and finer in size with use. This is commonly related to particle

abrasion and breakage or intruding subgrade soil fines. Degraded ballast may lead to poor drainage, settlement and eventually, track instability. Ballast degradation is typically quantified by Selig’s Fouling Index (FI) or Percentage Fouling.1 Both values describe the quantity of fine material present in the ballast relative to the overall sample size.

Assessing ballast condition usually involves identifying particle size distribution based on subjective expert visual inspection or using ballast sampling and laboratory sieve (gradation) analysis. Human visual inspection is qualitative, conducted primarily by looking at the surface of the ballast. However, underneath the surface, ballast degradation varies based on its three-dimensional location with respect to the rail and ties. Because of this, physical sampling/sieving efforts can be subjective and resource intensive and representative samples can be difficult to obtain.

Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), recently supported research to develop a new approach to inspecting ballast and measuring its condition in the field. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), an Association of American Railroads (AAR) affiliated laboratory, has

Figure 1: Seven images were stitched together to provide a panorama of the ballast cross-section below a concrete tie at FAST.

Figure 2: For each image, samples corresponding to the area imaged were collected and later sieve analyzed. The photo shows a trench wall below a tie where a sample was collected.

14 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

developed a novel technique that uses crosssection digital images of ballast and a machine vision system to measure the size of ballast particles and estimate ballast degradation.2 Through the AAR’s Technology Outreach research program, TTCI has performed investigative field work using this system at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) near Pueblo, Colo.

Research overview The research team at UIUC developed a Ballast Imaging Kit consisting of a camera, a tripod and calibration tools, including a 1-inch sphere calibration ball, for use in acquiring field images of ballast. Images and corresponding physical ballast samples were collected during multiple visits to both FAST’s High Tonnage Loop (HTL) and various BNSF Railway revenue lines. Images were processed through UIUC’s machine vision algorithm and ballast samples were sieved to obtain ground truth data on actual ballast degradation.

Field imaging and ballast sampling To obtain in-service ballast cross-sections for imaging, trenches were dug perpendicular to the track across the ballast profile in existing test zones on the HTL.3 Seven images were taken across the width of the ballast shoulder profile below the tie. Figure 1 is a stitched panoramic image of one of the trench walls showing the 1-inch calibration ball.

For each image, samples corresponding to the area imaged were collected and later sieve analyzed, as shown in Figure 2.

In addition to the collection of the FAST HTL transverse section images, vertical and horizontal images taken across longitudinal ballast cross sections—simulating those made by a ballast shoulder cleaner— were also collected on BNSF revenue service lines.

Image processing and analysis Figure 3 follows the various steps associated with processing a ballast cross section image.

A machine vision method for image segmentation was used to identify and separate individual ballast particles and degradation zones.4 Segmentation algorithms primarily detect the rock particle boundaries to determine the locations of distinct particles.

The Vincent and Soille’s watershed algorithm5 was selected based on its reliable rtands.com

TTCI r&d

Figure 3: The various steps associated for estimating ballast degradation using the PDS index.

performance for extracting particles that are touching each other. Various pre-processing procedures were used to amplify the relative difference in light and dark pixels, increase the contrast of borders and reduce the internal texture on individual ballast particles.6, 7 Once segmented, particles can be extracted from the image and analyzed for size, shape and angularity.

A critical step in the algorithm for determining the extent of ballast degradation in an image involves separating out “nonrock” segments, which are finer particles either filling voids or comprising large degraded areas in the image. To accomplish this, the ballast particles are generally expected to be convex in shape. Therefore, a convex hull is constructed around each segment found and the ratio of the area of the segment and the area of the convex hull is computed. The figure shows the difference between ballast particle and “non-rock” segments extracted from an image.

The analysis of each segmented image is conducted using an area-based approach.

The area of a 1-inch calibration ball, in pixels, is estimated and then used to compute the area of each particle segment.

According to area, these segments are partitioned into three classes: typical, small and rtands.com

large. The small category represents severely degraded particles, the typical category represents average sized ballast particles and the large category represents oversized regions with particles too small to be identified individually, such as fine grains. These categories are determined by normalizing

this machine-vision system offers an objective and on-track method to evaluate ballast condition the areas with respect to the area of the calibration ball.

A score for each image, referred to in this research as the Percentage of Degraded Segments (PDS), determined the percent

of the image that contained degraded ballast. Figure 4 shows the correlation of the PDS values computed for the various images collected at FAST and BNSF revenue sites to their measured FI values obtained in the laboratory from analyzing the corresponding samples collected from the trenches.

Moving forward More details related to this research project can also be found in various other works.8 Ultimately, this machine-vision system offers an objective and on-track method to evaluate ballast condition that is faster and less labor-intensive than the traditional sampling and sieving process.

The correlation shown in Figure 4 demonstrates the promise of such an approach in estimating ballast degradation and relating it back to Selig’s FI — the most common parameter used by field practitioners to evaluate their ballast.

Additionally, future research is planned on the implementation of this type of imaging system on shoulder ballast cleaners.

Automating the inspection of ballast offers the railroad industry yet another means of objective, data-driven maintenance decisions for ballast rehabilitation.

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 15

An Innovative Approach to

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WWW.RCEQUIP.COM 866-472-4570 RCE has increased options for under cutter bars! Complementing the newly expanded hi-rail excavator product line, RCE can now equip all the models with bars ranging from 8 to 15 feet in size. Bars available on hi-rail or standard excavators.

16 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

Figure 4: PDS values from ballast image segmentation were computed for the images collected at FAST and BNSF revenue sites and correlated to their Selig FI values as obtained from laboratory sieve analysis. This resulted in 28 images of ballast cross sections collected from field.

References 1. Selig, E.T. and Waters, J.M. 1994. Track Geotechnology and Substructure Management. Thomas Telford Publications, London.

2. Hart, J. M., Wang, S., Moaveni, M., McHenry, M., Tutumluer, E., and Ahuja, N. May 2017. “Machine Vision for Evaluating In-Service Ballast Condition.” Technology Digest TD-17-010. Association of American Railroads, Transportation Technology Center, Inc., Pueblo, Colo.

3. McHenry, M. and LoPresti, J. October 2015. “Concrete Tie Testing at FAST to Address Improved Track Strength.” Technology Digest TD-15-013. Association of American Railroads, Transportation Technology Center, Inc., Pueblo, Colo.

4. Moaveni, M., Wang, S., Hart, J.M., Tutumluer, E. and Ahuja, N. 2013. “Evaluation of Aggregate Size and Shape by means of Segmentation Techniques and Aggregate Image Processing Algorithms.” Journal of Transportation Research Board, 2335, 50-59.

5. Vincent, L. and Soille, P. 1991. “Watersheds in Digital Spaces: An Efficient Algorithm based on Immersion Simulation.” IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 13(6).

6. Gonzalez, R. and Woods, R. 2001. Digital Image Processing. 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall.

7. Paris, S., Kornprobst, P., Tumblin, J., and Durand, F. 2008. “Bilateral Filtering: Theory and Applications.” Foundations and Trends in Computer Graphics and Vision, 4(1), 1-73.

8. Tutumluer, E., Ahuja, N., Hart, J.M., Moaveni, M., Huang, H., Zhao, Z. and Shah, S. 2017. “Field Evaluation of Ballast Fouling Conditions Using Machine Vision,” IDEA Program Final Revised Report, Project SAFETY-27, Transportation Research Board. rtands.com

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Ballast maintenance

BTE says the BTE-450 is the largest and most powerful backhoe in the Caterpillar product line.

Ballast delivery

GETS A BOOST Ballast delivery and maintenance methods continue to evolve to meet the industry’s needs in productive, efficient ways.

By Kyra Senese, managing editor

Service providers continue to seek out solutions to provide railroads with cleaner, longer-lasting ballast and efficient delivery methods. Representatives spoke with RT&S about the products they introduced this year and industry trends.

B

allast Tools Equipment (BTE) Sales Engineer Matt Weyand says the BTE-450 Hi-Rail Backhoe System is a “workhorse” for repairing and maintaining ballast.

“BTE has built a full line of rail-specific attachments to work seamlessly with this machine. Changing out attachments is quick and easy,” Weyand said.

Weyand said this method saves time for MOW crews and provides greater versatility with one machine.

At the core of BTE’s backhoe lineup is the BTE-450, which Weyand says is the largest and most powerful backhoe in the Caterpillar product line.

“We modify the backhoe’s hydraulics and joystick controls to increase power to 18 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

our attachments and provide an improved, intuitive operating system,” he explained.

Weyand notes that undercutting mud spots is vital for improving fouled ballast areas, but can be difficult due to the variety of ballast conditions, limited access and lack of track time.

With that in mind, he says BTE built the specialized 450 Backhoes with a 9-foot undercutter bar to provide a mobile, powerful undercutter solution.

Recently, Weyand said customers have found that the Two-Motor Tamper attachment the company developed to work on the 450 Backhoes is helpful for tamping switches and diamonds.

“With the compact design of the BTE Tamper attachment, customers now have the ability to tamp up all the hard to reach areas of diamonds and switches that previously would have been tamped by hand,” he said.

DymaxRail DymaxRail has been busy during the past year, upgrading its Ballast Blaster,

introducing a new single-motor Ballast Tamper at Railway Interchange and delivering railway machines used for bridge maintenance and transit solutions, the company said.

The Ballast Blaster Undercutter features new and improved automatic chain tensioning, DymaxRail said.

“This feature maintains a constant perfect tension on the chain, which dramatically increases chain life and performance, as well as increasing the service time for sprockets,” the company explained.

DymaxRail also increased the size of its drive motors and made improvements to the rotator systems in all models.

“The DymaxRail Ballast Blaster works with all models of excavators and we are continuously working to improve performance and reliability,” said Scott Balderson, president of DymaxRail. “We have two new cutting chains in development that will help customers achieve nearly three times [as much] life of any chain currently being used.”

The company said its new DymaxRail rtands.com

Ballast maintenance

Ballast Tamper builds upon past models with the introduction of the Dymaxdesigned and built vibrator motor.

Unsatisfied with the performance of various off-the-shelf vibrator motor packages, DymaxRail said its engineers chose to create a more robust motor system that outperforms other tamping units.

“The new design is easily serviced and customers don’t have to throw away motors,” the company said.

Combining two of the tampers into a single structure for larger machines nearly doubles production rates, and the company offers valve packages available to fit many machines beyond standard excavators.

DymaxRail says the company remains dedicated to innovation in the rail market, creating new tools to perform important jobs in more productive and cost effective ways.

GREX Georgetown Rail Equipment Company recently delivered its newest DumpTrain for Curves. The company said this unit is the latest in a line of trains that has taken

lessons learned from the standard GREX DumpTrains and applied the functionality to unload in a curve.

These trains are able to unload in curvature exceeding 20 degrees, as well as locations with significant super-elevation, the company said.

GREX is also in the process of deploying plows on several DumpTrains. This is particularly helpful when dumping material onto skeleton track or in casualty scenarios, the company said. GREX recently received an issue notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the design of the train’s conveyor system allowing it to transfer material from car to car.

Later this year, GREX plans to release its second generation Solaris/GateSync product.

Harsco Rail Harsco Rail has introduced a new machine to the global railway market in China. The machine, a switch undercutter, is designed for cutting shorter areas of ballasted track.

The company said the machine’s cutting

bar is its most intriguing feature.

“The cutting bar cuts in and out much faster than traditional production undercutters that require manually digging the cutting chain under the track,” Harsco Rail said. “Now, undercutting switches, as well as undercutting track in between switches and grade crossings is possible.”

Harsco Rail notes many track areas have not been cost-effective to undercut in the past using a large production undercutter.

Contaminated ballast and the management of such ballast is a common concern, Harsco Rail said.

Herzog Railroad Services, Inc. Ryan Crawford, manager of ballast operations, said the compnay continues to bring the latest technology to its MOW equipment.

“Our customers will benefit from increased performance and reliability, from our custom-designed control systems to our optimized conveyor components, to take our equipment to the next level,” Crawford said.

Crawford said the company has seen

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March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 19

Ballast maintenance

Herzog said it continues to develop new software and programming to keep up with current technology.

continued improvements in performance, reliability and safety since it introduced the Automated Conveyor Train (ACT).

Crawford also noted the ACT’s ability to enable railroads to unload ballast in curves, s-curves and with multiple materials in one consist.

“With our advanced unloading system, one of the many features allows for multiple crossings to be unloaded, and with a simple pause button there’s no reset up time at each location,” Crawford said.

Crawford said Herzog’s patented highspeed GPS Trains have continued to address railroads’ maintenance needs by minimizing track time for maintenanceof-way work trains.

The GPS train can be unloaded from either direction after the pre-survey is completed and can pick up where a previous GPS train left off, with no skips in the project.

“Herzog continues to develop new software and programming to keep up with today’s technology,” Crawford said.

Knox Kershaw In 2018, Knox Kershaw Inc. (KKI) is focused on safety and serviceability, says George Pugh, president and COO. “For safety, we are sealing our cabs 20 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

more efficiently, allowing our new higher performance pressurizer, to meet silica dust requirements,” Pugh said.

Snorkel kits will also be available for the harshest environments, he said. Cab entrances and steps around the machine are installed on a slope for better step visibility for climbing and exiting, Pugh said.

In 2018, Pugh said KKI’s goal is to incorporate better electrical and hose routing while reducing the number of connections to allow for better accessibility, troubleshooting and repairs.

An upgrade Pugh notes this year relates to the brake arms on all KKI ballast regulators.

“The new design makes adjusting the brakes simple and less time consuming,” he said.

In 2017, Knox Kershaw introduced two new machines to its product lineup. The KTR 450 Tie Replacer is a closed cab tie renewal machine that Pugh says is capable of removing and inserting both timber and concrete ties.

The 88-inch-stroke work head generates extraction forces exceeding 23,000 lbs., he said.

“The wide offset cab with an open bridge design places the work head directly in front of the operator for maximum visibility,” Pugh explained.

The other machine, the KRC 70 Ramp Car, is designed for loading railway MOW equipment onto flat cars for transport between work locations. The folding ramp extends 70 feet, providing a ramp grade of 5.3 percent.

Going forward, KKI is expanding globally. Pugh said the company has new sales and service representation in Mexico, Australia and Malaysia.

Miner Enterprises Inc. Recently, Miner Enterprises developed a stand-alone lighting system to aid in night ballasting, according to Christopher Gaydos, director of engineering. The new system uses solar panels to store energy during daylight hours to power LED work lights at night. Gaydos said the system is intended to facilitate a safer work environment during night operations.

Miner has also improved the internal electronics of all the aggregate systems, including the stand-alone system. Gaydos said the electric stand-alone AggreGate enables independent operation of the car from anywhere within a ballast train, eliminating the need for grouping manual and automatic cars.

“The state of the art electronics promises improved reliability, longevity and rtands.com

Ballast maintenance

performance,” Gaydos said.

Throughout the past year, Gaydos said there has been an interest in night ballasting and using the company’s solar-charged lighting system to provide light around work areas.

Additionally, Gaydos said shortline railroads have expressed a need for ballast cars in comparison with the larger railroads, which he said currently seem to have enough such cars.

With unique design features, Gaydos notes the company’s AggreGate can effectively ballast inside, outside or from both sides of the rail simultaneously.

“These features include large guillotine door openings designed to stop ballast flow with minimum effort, easy to operate toggle-type linkage systems and tapered doors for easy ballast shut-off at switches, crossovers and bridges,” Gaydos explained.

In addition, Gaydos said the remote control AggreGate allows the user to deposit ballast while remaining at a safe distance from the activity.

In the coming year, Gaydos says the

rtands.com

company will continue to work closely with its customers to understand their ballasting needs and provide safe and durable maintenance-of-way AggreGate ballasting systems.

Plasser American Plasser American said the company works to supply customers with the tools required to achieve effective ballast management.

“Clean ballast is extremely important to maintain long-lasting track geometry,” the company said.

Plasser supplies ballast cleaning machines such as the RM80, which can undercut and clean track and switches, high-capacity double screening unit machines like the RM2003 dual shaker undercutter-cleaner and the RM802 High Speed Undercutter-cleaner, which works with pre-dumped ballast and the FRM802 Shoulder Cleaner, the company said.

The Plasser RM-80 can undercut and clean plain track as well as switches, which the company said can address all undercutting needs.

The machine removes contaminated material from under the track using an excavation chain held by a solid cutter bar, resulting in a flat excavation surface with no dips or low spots. The material is then deposited in a three-level screening unit to be cleaned by separating the good clean ballast from the waste, Plasser said.

The cleaned rock is returned back to the track directly behind the cutter bar while the track is still being lifted, which reduces the number of tamping passes required to bring the track back to final grade.

For undercutting switches, Plasser said extensions may be added to the cutter bar to boost the excavation width up to 25 feet.

“When undercutting a switch, all of the material is cleaned, as in plain track undercutting, and the good ballast is returned to the track resulting in a cost and time savings,” the company said.

Progress Rail Progress Rail continuously examines how the company’s MOW equipment can work smarter and harder for customers, says

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 21

Ballast maintenance

Vancer’s CTB41B Hi-Rail Excavator features 300hp and a hydraulically-powered hi-rail gear undercarriage with train air brakes.

National Sales Manager Randy Chubaty.

The company recently implemented the integration of microprocessor control systems into all Kershaw model ballast regulators to simplify operator interaction with major systems, Chubaty explained. All operator control functions, machine status indicators, engine display parameters and engine codes are now displayed on a 12-inch industrial touchscreen monitor, he said.

Integrating this new technology helps simplify machine wiring and improves the machine’s ability to report critical information back to the operator and mechanics. In turn, the operator’s experience is enhanced, troubleshooting is reduced and railroads can take more proactive measures to maintain the life of their fleets.

Chubaty added that the company also recently released a new brushcutter attachment that can be adapted for our Kershaw model 60 Ballast Regulator to address vegetation management.

“For winter months, we have attachments to effectively convert our Ballast Regulator into a snow removal machine,” he said. “Having multiple attachment 22 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

options provides customers increased f lexibility by improving their ability to utilize their equipment for multiple jobs as required.”

This year, Chubaty said railroads have been seeking to improve reliability and simplify common work-related tasks.

“This includes improved feedback from our machines’ systems to aid in troubleshooting and having the ability to store manuals electronically on the machine,” he said.

Progress Rail will remain focused on delivering cost-effective, quality products, Chubaty said.

Trap Rock & Granite Quarries LLC Safety is the company’s top focus, said President Sam Beelman. Trap Rock & Granite Quarries’ 14,300-foot, doubleloop track with direct mainline connectors north and south, which provides access for inbound and outbound trains, offers a safe and efficient design, Beelman said.

The entire facility is built with new 136-pound welded rail on concrete ties.

“Our design allows trains to pull into the

quarry, load quickly, accurately and depart without breaking the train or backing up,” Beelman explained.

Beelman said the company installed a certified weigh-in-motion track scale.

The company’s motion-scale weighing system is “the most time efficient and costeffective method” of obtaining certified, legal-for-trade railcar weights, Beelman said.

“This type of system allows a railcar to be weighed empty and loaded as it rolls over the scale and is accomplished as part of our normal car handling operation, Beelman explained.

The weighing of the empty cars is intended to ensure credit or no charge for the “carry back” of product in cars.

Today, Trap Rock & Granite Quarries loads cars over the side using three 17 cubic-yard wheel loaders, Beelman said, adding that the company is capable of loading a 75-car ballast train in about three and a half hours.

Beelman says the company also plans to install an automated weigh bin loadout to maximize most car weights on every shipment. A 75-car ballast train can be rtands.com

Vancer Vancer introduced the CTB41B Hi-Rail Excavator and features 300hp, the highest horsepower available in the market for a single motor hi-rail excavator, said Sales Manager Mark Anderson.

“Railroads and rail contractors are looking for equipment with more horsepower that can increase efficiency for rail maintenance projects,” Anderson said. “Vancer’s industry-leading hi-rail equipment options, like the CTB41B Hi-Rail Excavator, will continue to keep rail operations on-target for key maintenance projects as we move into peak rail maintenance season.”

In addition to the machine’s horsepower, Anderson said it features a hydraulically-powered hi-rail gear undercarriage with train air brakes, multiple tool carrier functionality, dual pivoting railcar couplers and travel and transport capabilities.

The machine is engineered and built to deliver versatility and strength which Anderson said allows operators to undercut, trench, tie insert, tamp, brush cut, move railcars and more.

“Our team also takes into account several safety features to help operators and railroad crews operate equipment without harm,” Anderson said. “Custom-engineered features provide safe, easy access and serviceability to machine components.”

The company notes that one change this year relates to the available time for track maintenance on active track lines becoming more limited as rail traffic increases. Additionally, Anderson noted equipment downtime can cause costly issues for railroads.

“Vancer provides continuous maintenance on hi-rail equipment and specialty railroad attachments to help ensure downtime is not an issue,” Anderson said.

Anderson said railroads have been seeking lifecycle product value, and both railroads and contractors have been in need of products that perform multiple functions and provide versatile options while maintaining rail lines.

“Our team provides product solutions that can assist rail operations in completing projects efficiently and in less time,” he said.

“That need will always continue to be there, and we’ll continue to provide equipment that can handle multiple tasks to aid in the safety and support of our rail infrastructure.”

DymaxRail said the company spent time and energy upgrading its marketleading Ballast Blaster this year.

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Precise, accurate, & versatile ballast

accurately loaded in two and a half hours or less.

“We believe the cost savings can be as much as 8 to 17 percent per shipment on ballast and rail transportation cost,” Beelman said. “There is additional savings when more tonnage is placed by ballast crews.”

Herzog’s cutting-edge technological developments regularly set new standards for the industry.

GPS ballast car system for autonomous distribution: precision unloading 24/7.

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March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 23

RAILWAY AGE CONFERENCE & EXPO

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EXPLORE THE CHALLENGES, ISSUES, & TRENDS AFFECTING THE NORTH AMERICAN RAIL MARKET

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

STAYING COMPETITIVE IN A CHANGING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE “RAIL RENAISSANCE”?

Edward R. Hamberger

Jim Squires

President & CEO Association of American Railroads

Chief Executive Officer Norfolk Southern

SAFETY, CREATIVE INNOVATION & TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

SUPPLIER STRATEGIES FOR RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

Ronald L. Batory

President Railway Supply Institute

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THE GROWING ROLE OF WOMEN RAILROADERS Corina Moore

President & COO Ontario Northland Railway

REGISTER TODAY railwayage.com/insights

SPONSORSHIPS & EXHIBITS AVAILABLE Contact Jonathan Chalon at 212.620.7224, jchalon@sbpub.com

Shortline

Shortline and regional

railroad snapshot Smaller rail lines prove capable of delivering large impacts.

A

ccording to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), there are 603 shortline and regional railroads that operate in 49 states and move one in five cars on the national network. These first and last mile carriers are helping to set the bar in rail safety, efficient maintenance practices and economic development initiatives.

Safety In November 2017, ASLRRA announced that the shortline industry marked a full year fatality free.

Linda Bauer Darr, president of ASLRRA, credited the commitment of the shortline community, as well as the work of the Short Line Safety Institute and its influence on the industry.

“Our shortline members focus every day on ‘making it a safe one.’ Safe operations are good for our customers, good 26 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

for the public interest, good for our employees and good for business,” said Linda Bauer Darr, president of ASLRRA. “ASLRRA is proud to partner with shortlines, supporting a safety focus through compliance audits, training opportunities, the Jake Award program and committees that advance safety initiatives and technology that drives safety. All of us working in partnership can take pride in today’s industry achievement.”

Tom Murta, executive director of SLSI added, “Focusing on safety culture, the behaviors surrounding and supporting safe practices, will continually raise the bar in our industry on successful, sustainable and safe operations.”

One example of that safety commitment put into practice comes from New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA), a subsidiary of Anacostia Rail Holdings. NYA began a program Jan. 23 to screen employees for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); the first

U.S. shortline to implement a screening and treatment program of this type, according to ASLRRA. The railway said nearly 40 NYA engineers and conductors in New York City and Long Island, N.Y., will be screened for the serious sleep disorder. If needed, NYA said individuals screened would receive treatment from the railway’s medical team.

“The detection and remediation of OSA will positively impact employee health and improve employee alertness for safety sensitive jobs,” NYA President James Bonner said.

The railway’s medical services and safety teams are collaborating with Rocky Mountain Sleep Disorders Center to carry out the OSA program.

Bonner also noted that he believes the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen – Long Island General Committee of Adjustment, the union representing NYA’s engineers and conductors, has been rtands.com

WSOR

By Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor with contributions from William C. Vantuono, editor-in-chief, Railway Age

Shortline

Over the past year, 62 spans on the WSOR-operated B-256 were replaced.

Ray Brown

supportive as the railway implements the new program.

Capital investments Despite the smaller tonnage volumes found along shortline and regional railroads, the capital-intensive nature of railroading does not scale down. ASLRRA estimates that most shortlines invest a minimum of 25 percent of their annual revenues in rehabilitation and maintenance.

To help with proper maintenance, shortlines take advantage of the shortline tax credit, also referred to as 45G, which was extended retroactively to 2017 and an effort to extend it permanently is currently being taken on by the shortlines and ASLRRA. Partnerships with states and other local entities can also help fund needed capital improvements. A recent example is the work the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) performed to improve a major bridge spanning the Wisconsin River at Spring Green, Wis. The 2,200-foot timber bridge, known rtands.com

as B-256, began showing signs of severe settlement and extreme timber deterioration approximately 20 years ago. At that time, WSOR forces began an advanced maintenance plan, essentially keeping 1,100 feet of the timber pile portion of the structure in service until funding could be made available for replacement of major timber components. Advanced maintenance included replacement of pile caps on a regular basis, replacement of deck ties and concrete encasement of several piers. Under this maintenance plan, weight (tons) and train speeds were restricted until major replacement work could be completed.

But B-256 had reached a point where a major rehabilitation was required to prevent the structure from eventually being taken out of service, which would have affected numerous rail-dependent businesses along the line between Madison and Prairie du Chien, Wis. So, during the past year, railroad contractors were on site replacing 62 spans equating to nearly 1,000 feet of substructure and deck.

Initial project estimates were at $13 million. However, through a competitive bid process and favorable labor and material prices, the final budget was less than half the initial estimate, saving nearly $7 million. The finalized, $5.8 million project was awarded a state grant of $4.8 million from the Freight Railroad Preservation Program (FRPP), which required a 20 percent local match provided by WSOR. The Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission (WRRTC) owns B-256; WSOR operates it. WisDOT administers the FRPP, which provides grants up to 80 percent of the cost to purchase abandoned rail lines in an effort to continue freight service or preserve opportunities for future rail service and rehabilitate facilities, such as tracks or bridges, on publiclyowned rail lines.

B-256 can now handle trains of 286,000pound railcars safely and efficiently. The bridge’s remaining 1,100 feet is of primarily steel construction and remains in good condition. However, WisDOT and WSOR forces will monitor this section for any future deterioration or defects.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to rebuilding infrastructure that connects our state and local economies,” said WSOR General Manager Preston Nelson.

“Our partnership with WisDOT exemplifies how public-private partnerships can rebuild our railroad systems into the next century.”

Economic development Shortline and regional railroads are responsible for delivering an estimated $4.64 billion in revenue to the U.S. economy, according to ASLRRA. For many rural areas of North America, shortline and regional railroads provide the entry and exit points to the global economy, as well as offer ample opportunities at a local level to drive economic growth.

One example of this is the North Carolina Railroad Company’s (NCRR) initiative, NCRR Invests. According to the railroad, NCRR Invests provides assistance to companies that take advantage of the state’s freight rail opportunities and create jobs by locating or expanding their business in North Carolina. The goal of NCRR Invests is to drive job creation and economic growth.

NCRR evaluates requests for investments in engineering, design and construction associated with the rail infrastructure requirements of potential new industry or an existing industry seeking expansion both on and off the NCRR line.

In the past year, the initiative has allowed NCRR to invest $2.5 million in design and construction of a rail spur and storage tracks for a tire manufacturer in Edgecombe County that will serve the Kingsboro CSX Select Site for Triangle Tyre Co Ltd.; approximately $3.5 million was invested in the construction of a lead track and switches to connect the EGGER Wood Products facility to Linwood Yard and the NCRR line and approximately $420,000 to assist with the construction of a new spur track in Randolph County to

Dayton, Wash., is home to the state’s oldest train depot, which served as a fitting location to host the ribbon cutting ceremony of the CWW line.

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 27

Nearly 40 NYA locomotive engineers and conductors in New York City and Long Island, N.Y., will be screened for OSA.

connect Fibertex Personal Care to an adjacent Norfolk Southern line, which joins the NCRR in High Point.

“Through our NCRR Invests initiative, we collaborate with our economic

28 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

development partners to ensure that North Carolina is competitively positioned to meet the freight rail infrastructure needs of new and expanding business and industry, creating jobs for the citizens

of our state,” said Scott Saylor, president of NCRR. On the other side of the country, the Port of Columbia along the Snake River in Dayton, Wash., reactivated a 37-mile shortline this past October. Portions of the Columbia Walla Walla Rail Line (CWW) were under embargo for several years and a combination of Washington State Department of Transportation Rail Bank grant funds, matching funds from the port and private sector funds were used to repair eight bridges, construct a new siding and return the line to service.

At the time of the CWW reopening, Jennie Dickinson, manager of the Port of Columbia, said, “We are beyond excited to see the rail line resume service.”

Dickinson told RT&S that an active rail line helps the port and the area in three important ways that include giving the area an important economic development tool for business attraction; allowing the existing businesses another transportation option, which may save costs and decreasing wear on local highways by removing trucks from the road.

The challenge Dickinson and the port face now is ensuring growth opportunities come to fruition.

Dickinson says there is a long-term plan for growth along the line, but notes that it is not easy.

“Shippers are only interested if the service is a perceived value. The costs of shipping on this line, plus the costs charged by the Class 1 railroads for taking the cars have to be factored in. The operator has control over the first part, but not the second. And while getting semi-trucks off the highway is a priority for many, it is not a priority for shippers if the costs to ship by rail or barge don’t pencil out better,” explained Dickinson.

She mentioned that one of the most reliable shippers, a grain company, has decided to work with another regional grain company and bypass shipping on the CWW line, yet the company wants the rail line active “in case” the dams were ever removed or river transport was shut down temporarily.

“A rail line can’t just sit there. It needs to be used and maintained,” she said.

“Right now, the plan is to serve as many interested customers as possible at the best value possible and take advantage of any new potential shipping opportunities, like wind turbine components, that may come up.” rtands.com

NYA/Scott May

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NRC Conference Report

NRC

Conference starts the year off right

Capital programs, safety and camaraderie take center stage at the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association’s 2018 conference.

L

os Angeles, Calif., hosted the 2018 National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Annual Conference Jan. 10-13, 2018. Attendees were again given a chance to learn from informative presentations from key industry players, take part in useful networking time on the exhibit floor and enjoy southern California’s weather.

While attendance was shy of a record, more than 1,100 attendees and close to 150 exhibitors made for a robust show.

“We were thrilled with what we thought was another successful event. More than 30 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

By Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

1,100 rail contractors and suppliers were in attendance, the speakers from the railroads and rail transit agencies were informative and insightful and a lot of business was getting done,” said Chuck Baker, president of the association. “The venue worked out nicely, the weather cooperated and we hope people had a little bit of fun as they got another busy year underway.”

Speakers from North America’s Class 1 railroads, shortlines and transit systems detailed the upcoming year’s capital spending programs, as well as outlined contracting opportunities available on their

properties. Many Class 1 presenters could not share capital program dollar amounts with attendees as the conference took place before many Q4 2017 earnings calls.

However, speakers shared their commitment to safety and drive toward innovation.

Overall, bridge projects will see a big push in 2018 and presenters also laid out opportunities for contractors surrounding key maintenance practices such as rail grinding, track and rail inspection and surfacing work.

The conference began Jan. 10 with a welcome reception followed by the first rtands.com

NRC Conference Report

full day of presentations on Jan. 11, where attendees saw representatives from Union Pacific, OmniTRAX, Watco, Sound Transit, Chicago Metra and Canadian Pacific take the stage. Additionally, industry analyst Tony Hatch and Rob Castiglione of the Federal Railroad Administration presented.

The NRC also recognized the 2017 NRC/ RT&S/Commercial Insurance Associates Safety Awards; a full list of winners can be found on page 32. The contest had a record 65 companies earn awards with more than half winning the top “platinum” status.

The break down of the categories includes 34 Platinum winners, those receiving a perfect score of 100; 25 Gold winners, those earning a score of 80–99 points; and six companies won in the Silver category with 70–79 points.

“Each of these companies should be commended for their extensive efforts to promote and improve safety in the rail contracting industry and for subjecting their full safety program and range of practices to an exhaustive outside review.

These companies represent the very best of

the NRC and the entire railroad construction and maintenance industry,” the association said.

The first day also included a preview of the two new NRC Safety Videos, which are

“

The venue worked out nicely, the weather cooperated and We hope people had a little bit of fun as they got another busy year underway.

the 23rd and 24th produced by the association, and tackle the subject of fatigue and recognizing the systems.

Presentations during the second day of the conference were limited to the morning

to allow for participation in the afternoon’s golf or sailing outing. Norfolk Southern, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Canadian National and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority presented during the second day.

The final day of the conference saw presentations by CSX, Metrolink, Genesee & Wyoming, Kansas City Southern, Minneapolis Metro and BNSF. The conference’s final day also held, what is becoming a favorite event, the government affairs and congressional staff panel, which helped attendees make sense of all that is happening and could happen in Washington, D.C., during the upcoming year.

The sixth annual special awards were also presented on the last day of the conference and recognized the large and small projects of the year, as well as the field contractor of the year.

The NRC named Phil Hutton, track manager for Universal Rail Systems (URS), as the 2017 Field Employee of the Year.

The award is designed to recognize and honor a rail contracting employee who

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March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 31

NRC Conference Report

A record number of companies, 65 in total, earned safety awards and were recognized at the NRC Conference in January.

has demonstrated the most dedication and excellence in his/her field by regularly going above and beyond what is required, demonstrating innovation and perseverance and possessing a strong commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.

Hutton joined URS in 2012 as a track protection Rule 42 foreman and was often called upon to protect complex projects. In less than two years, Hutton was promoted to assistant track protection manager and, in 2014, he became the track protection

manager with responsibility for more than 50 flagmen covering an operating area of nearly 7,000 square miles.

“Phil demonstrates all aspects of [quality] through continuous improvement, acting with integrity, respecting relationships and ensuring accountability,” said D.G. Wilfong, director of Strategic Development in Eastern Canada for URS and Phil’s director supervisor.

The NRC said Hutton’s knowledge of the industry, commitment to his customers, leadership abilities and his dedication to safety are among the many attributes that make for an outstanding Field Employee of the Year.

The KCS Mossville Yard Expansion Project in Westlake, La., by Ragnar Benson, LLC, was named the 2017 Large Project of the Year. Dave Bergstrom, vice president for Rail at Ragnar Benson and NRC Board Member, and Carl Zeigler, senior project manager at Ragnar Benson, accepted the award.

The project had two major components: a classification yard that expands KCS’s operations and a rehabilitated and expanded leased storage yard to support the construction of the nearby Sasol Ethane Cracker Plant.

The 200-acre project included 212,769

2017 NRC/RT&S/Commercial Insurance Associates Safety Awards Platinum Winners Score of 100 out of 100 points Ames Construction; Asbell Companies; Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc.; Civil Works Contracting; Clayton Railroad Construction, LLC; Coleman Industrial Construction; CR Construction C o m p a n y ; F r i t z - R u m e r- C o o k e ; G e o rg etown Ra il Eq u ip m e nt Co.; G ra n i te C o n s t r u c t i o n C o m p a ny ; Herzog Contracting Corp; Herzog Railroad Se r vices In c.; H e rzog Services Inc.; Herzog Technologies; Holland Company; James McHugh Construction; J.F. Brennan; K.W. Reese Inc.; Kraemer North American, LLC; Lone Star Railroad Contractors; Meyer Contracting; MEC - Mass. Electric Construction Company; Musselman & H a l l C o ntra c to rs, LLC; Po l i v ka International; Ragnar Benson; Railroad Construction Co. of South Jersey; Railroad Construction Company Inc.; Railroad Constructors Inc.; Rhinehart

32 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

Ra i l ro a d C o n s tr u c ti o n I n c .; R . J. Corman; Savage Services; Stacy and Witbeck, Inc.; US Trackworks LLC Gold Winners Score of 80-99 points American Rail Marketing; Armond Cassil Railroad Constructors; C.J. Bridges Railroad Contractors; Capital Railroad Contracting Inc.; Craf ton Railroad Company Inc.; Delta Railroad C o n s tr u c ti o n; Fa y, a n i+i c o n U SA Company; Frontier Railroad Services; HAFCO Services; HD Machines, LLC; J-Tra c k LLC; Ke n ny Co n s tr u c tio n Company; L.K. Comstock National Transit Inc.; Loram Maintenance of Way; Modern Railway Systems, Inc.; Moran Environmental; Omega Rail Services, Inc.; Queen City Railroad; Railroad Controls Limited; Railworks Maintenance of Way; RailWorks Signal & Communications; RailWorks Track Services; RailWorks Track Systems Inc; STX; Trans-Global Solutions, Inc.

Silver Winners Score of 70-79 points A l l i e d Tra c k S e r v i c e s; Ke l l y- H i l l Company; PNR RailWorks; Sharp and Fellows; TRAM Construction; Tranco Industrial Services, Inc.; Clayton Railroad Construction, LLC; Kelly-Hill Company; Tranco Industrial Services, Inc. 2017 NRC special Awards 2017 Field Employee of the Year Award Phil Hutton, Track Manager, Universal Rail Systems 2017 Large Rail Construction Project of the Year Award KCS Mossville Yard Expansion Project; Ragnar-Benson, LLC 2017 Small Rail Construction Project of the Year Award Union Pacific Lakeside Sub Bridge Project; Ames Construction

rtands.com

NRC Conference Report

feet of new track, 37,843 feet of rehabilitated track, drainage, lighting and roadways. The existing yard facilities were demolished and four new buildings were added along with a wastewater treatment system, a fuel unloading track and a spill containment area. A new 13 span bridge was also built across the old yard to allow traffic to travel over the new yard without the need for multiple crossings.

The project had many challenges including relocating a water canal, gas line and a 115 KVA power line. An additional challenge was establishing drainage in swampy conditions. Ragnar Benson said it continually reworked the project schedule to maximize available work as unexpected challenges arose.

There were 405,000 man-hours worked on this project with zero recordable injuries and no lost time accidents.

“Throughout the construction process, Ragnar Benson diligently monitored the project’s schedule through weekly updates and constant adjustments to obstacles,” said Steven Raiche, construction manager for KCS. “The project was very successful.”

The NRC 2017 Small Project of the Year was awarded to Ames Construction (Ames) for the Union Pacific (UP) Lakeside Sub Bridge Project in Box Elder County, Utah.

UP’s 24-mile causeway across the Great Salt Lake outside of Ogden, Utah, is a vital link in the transcontinental railroad, carrying dozens of trains per day. Originally built in 1900, with partial reconstruction in the 1950s, time and location in a harsh physical environment compromised the two concrete culverts that had allowed water to flow through the causeway.

By 2011, the causeway had sunk more than 15 feet, rendering the culverts ineffective.

Ames was the prime contractor for construction of a 180-foot six-span precast box girder bridge to reestablish the bi-directional water flow between the two arms of the lake.

Ames faced multiple challenges including limited site access, track time and staging areas, as well as environmental permit restrictions. An existing low-capacity bridge on the causeway complicated mobilization of heavy equipment to the bridge site. Equipment had to be delivered

on highway-rated transport trucks and assembled at the construction site, which had extremely limited work areas alongside active tracks with high train traffic.

On a project with more than 40,000 manhours, there was one recordable injury and no lost time or restricted days.

The projects of the year will be highlighted in the May issue of RT&S. The final act of the conference was transitioning the chairmanship of the association. Chris Daloisio, vice president of Railroad Construction Co. of South Jersey, Inc., completed his two years at the helm of the association and Mike Choat, president of Railroad Control Limited, began his twoyear term as NRC chairman.

The next NRC event will be the annual NRC Railroad Construction and Maintenance Equipment Auction on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Blackmon Auctions in Lonoke, Ark. The next NRC Conference and NRCREMSA Exhibition will return to the East Coast and take place Jan. 6-9, 2019, in Marco Island, Fla.

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Message From The President SAVE THE DATE

Registration opens April 2

The AREMA 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition is an arena in which rail professionals can present the most recent advances in the various disciplines involved in the railway engineering field.

This event provides an excellent op p or tun it y fo r m e m b e rs of the railway industry to increase their railroad knowledge and technical expertise, and obtain your professional development hours for participating in t h e c o n f e re n c e (s u b j e c t to th e in divid ual state board ’s final authority).

Ad d i ti o n a l l y, th e E x p o s i ti o n brings together a large, diverse group of railway engineering professionals – who have the authority to buy products or advise their companies of which products and services to buy.

I

t has been a busy time for the AREMA staff and Program Committee. The functional group leaders, under Senior Vice President Jim Kessler’s leadership, have been reviewing, selecting and scheduling the educational program of the AREMA 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition.

The AREMA staff is also working through the mountain of details to pull this event off successfully that will be held in Chicago, Sept. 16-19.

I recently met with the Hilton Chicago staff during our annual presidential site visit and was impressed with the professional manner in which our AREMA team worked in cooperation with the Hilton team. The visit was successful and I encourage you to make plans to attend the AREMA 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition.

Rail service failure management And now for the technical portion of this month’s article: I’d like to discuss service failures since we are beginning to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” of these frigid winter months and highest incidents of service failure.

Rail is one of the most expensive track components and managing this important rail life-cycle asset is critical to maintaining a heavy-haul railroad. Lines with heavy-axletonnage and track density experiences higher wear and tear rates on the infrastructure asset versus non-heavy-axle-load track.

The prevention of broken rail derailments, rail service failures and service interruptions is important for all railroads due to their negative impact on network capacity and availability.

Managing rail service failures is a critical component of extending rail life. A servicefailed rail is defined as an unexpected break in the rail, usually in two or more pieces, with a separation of a rail with a substantial portion of the railhead, web or base missing.

To get to the root cause of the service failures requires thorough understanding and daily management. Collecting accurate service failure data is critical to this discipline. Service failure information is used for rail replacement, calculating detector car frequencies and managing continuous welded rail (CWR) adjust events. It is critical to have robust processes in place that can be used by field personnel

Table 1

Expect to find new products and solutions from all segments of the industr y: Track, structures, passenger and transit, maintenance-ofway, engineering services and communications and signals.

The AREMA 2018 Annual C o n f e re n c e & E x p o s i ti o n i s the premier event for railway engineering professionals. Join AREMA in the Windy City, Sept.

16-19, 2018, at the Hilton Chicago.

Please visit www.arema.org for more information.

rtands.com

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 35

to report service failures.

Table 1 provides data on service failures for one railroad in a recent year. The top three service failure types for this railroad are: defective field welds (DFW) 32.7 percent, sudden ruptures (SR) 23.2 percent and detailed fracture (DF) 12.8 percent.

The top three service failure types accounted for 69 percent of all the service failures. With DFW’s being the highest percentage of service failures, there is an industry imperative to improve field welding processes.

Another requirement in the management of rail service failure is having processes in place to manage CWR. Controlling and maintaining neutral temperature is critical to the track buckling prevention effort, making the management of these CWR events a necessity.

Any time continuous welded rail is cut it is considered a CWR event, which makes the management of CWR a year-round process.

Table 2 was developed to consolidate the requirements for managing CWR events for a railroad.

The second table has four columns that are titled CWR Events, Management Process, Type Reference Marks and Quality. CWR Events are broken down into four groups: • First group of CWR Events: Service failures, pull-aparts, detector car defects, track panels less than or equal to 80 foot and rail change out less than or equal to 80 foot.

• Second group of CWR Events: Rail replacement (change out) and track panel installation greater than 80 foot and less than or equal to 360 foot.

• Third group of CWR Events: Rail change out greater than 360 foot.

• Fourth group of CWR Events: Curve shifting.

For this article, the top three CWR event groups will be reviewed. The management processes, type of reference marks used and quality processes.

First group of CWR events: • Management Process: CWR Adjust is used to manage the rail neutral temperature.

• Type Reference Marks: The reference marks used are spanning.

• Quality: The quality control processes that are used: CWR Adjust, ICUT Process,

Reference Marks, VERSE Testing, Weld Audits and Weld Tags.

Second group of CWR events: • Management Process: Cut-in/Cut-out is used to manage the rail neutral temperature.

• Type Reference Marks: The reference marks used are pull back.

• Quality: The quality control processes that are used: ICUT Process, Reference Marks, VERSE Testing, Weld Audits and Weld Tags.

Third group of CWR events: • Management Process: CWR Adjustment Table.

• Type Reference Marks: The reference marks used are spanning.

• Quality: The quality control process used is auditing match marks.

Railroads must have solid practices in place in order to assure fewer rail service failures. Wishing you well as you thaw out from the winter!

Tables personally provided by Clark – previously used for presentation and publication purposes.

Table 2

Managing CWR Events CWR Events Service failures Pull aparts DC defects Track panels < 80’

Management Process

CWR Adjust

Type Reference Marks

Quality

Spanning

CWR Adjust ICUT Process Reference Marks VERSE Testing Weld Audits Weld Tags

Rail change out < 80’

Rail change out > 80’ < 360’ Track panels > 80’ < 360’

Cut-in/Cut-out

Pull back

ICUT Process Reference Marks VERSE Testing Weld Audits Weld Tags

Rail change out > 360’

CWR Adjustment Table 4-H

Match Marks

Audit Match Marks

Curve shift

Curve Monitoring

Curve staking

In process

36 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

rtands.com

Getting to know Sean Kullen

Sean P. Kullen, PE Chair of Committee 11 - Commuter & Intercity Rail Systems and senior rail engineer at VHB, Inc.

E

ach month, AREMA features one of our committee chairs or committee members. We are pleased to announce that the March featured member is Sean P. Kullen, PE chair of Committee 11 - Commuter & Intercity Rail Systems and senior rail engineer at VHB, Inc. AREMA: Why did you choose a career in railway engineering?

KULLEN: I chose to go into engineering because I have always been interested in how things are built. Railroad engineering was interesting to me because I grew up a railfan. My father is a railfan. We spent a lot of time together riding, watching and photographing trains. Growing up, I can’t remember a family vacation when there wasn’t a detour to get a look at a train.

AREMA: How did you get started in the field?

KULLEN: I started out in materials testing, then highway and structural engineering. I

kept looking for opportunities to work on railroad projects. I was able to convince two experienced railroad engineers and great mentors to let me work with them.

AREMA: How did you get involved in AREMA and your committee?

KULLEN: A co-worker was chair of a subcommittee working on Manual material and invited me to help out.

AREMA: Outside of your job and the hard work you put into AREMA, what are your hobbies?

KULLEN: Most of my free time is spent working on improvement projects at home, watching my older daughter play lacrosse and seeing my younger daughter act.

AREMA: Tell us about your family!

KULLEN: I married my high school sweetheart. We have two teenage children, a junior in high school and a middle schooler. The high school junior is a lacrosse goalie and the middle schooler is an actor.

AREMA: If you could share one interesting fact about yourself with the readers of RT&S, what would it be?

KULLEN: Turns out, I am not that good at jumping out of planes.

AREMA: What has been your biggest achievement so far?

KULLEN: First is building a happy healthy family with my wife, Stephenie.

Second is being able to go to work each day doing what I enjoy with people I enjoy working with.

AREMA: What advice would you give to someone who is pursuing a career in the railway industry?

KULLEN: Find someone who has experience in the railroad industry to work with and try to learn as much as possible.

Seismic Design of Railroad Bridges Seminar Date: June 5, 2018

Location: St. Louis, MO

Description: This seminar will teach the practicing bridge designer how to apply the seismic design procedures of AREMA Chapter 9 to railroad bridges. The seminar will be conducted by current members of AREMA Committee 9 with practical experience designing railroad bridges in high seismic regions of North America.

The seminar will provide the practicing bridge designer with the skills necessary to design typical railroad bridge structures for seismic loads.

Contact Hours: 6.5 For more information on our seminar programs please visit www.arema.org.

FYI There is still time to renew your membership: Be sure to renew your membership online today at www.arema.org so as not to miss out on what AREMA can offer.

BOOK YOUR 2018 AREMA EXHIBIT BOOTH NOW for the AREMA 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 16-19, 2018!

For more information and to book your exhibit space, please visit www.arema.org.

Do you want to generate leads, promote a product and reach a target audience? Sign up for sponsorship at the AREMA 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition.

Please visit www.arema.org for more information on sponsorship investment opportunities!

Order the 2018 Communications & Signals Manual now. With m o re th a n 50 n ew, rev ise d, reaffirmed or extended manual parts, it’s the perfect time to g et th e 201 8 M an ual. O rd e r online now at www.arema.org or contact mbruins@arema.org for more details.

Call for Entries for the 2018 Dr. William W. Hay Award for E xc e l l e n c e. Entri e s m u s t b e su b m it te d by M ay 25, 201 8 .

Please visit www.arema.org for more information.

Leverage the power of your trusted association’s Railway Careers Network to tap into a talent pool of job candidates with the training and education needed for long-term success.

Visit www.arema.org/careers to post your job today. Use code CAREERS to receive a discount.

Not an AREMA Member?

Join today at www.arema.org

Follow Arema on Social Media: rtands.com

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 37

Upcoming Committee Meetings March 13-14 Committee 39 - Positive Train Control Atlanta, GA March 14 - 15 Committee 27 - Maintenance of Way Work Equipment Montgomery, AL March 14-15 Committee 38 - Information, Defect Detection & Energy Systems Atlanta, GA March 26 - 28 Committee 2 - Track Measurement and Assessment Systems Colorado Springs, CO

April 22 Committee 6 Building & Support Facilities Philadelphia, PA

Sept. 15-16 Committee 24 - Education & Training Chicago, IL

May 15-16 Committee 15 - Steel Structures New York, NY

Sept. 16 Committee 10 - Structures, Maintenance & Construction Chicago, IL

May 17-18 Committee 30 - Ties Urbana-Champaign, IL

Oct. 23-24 Committee 15 - Steel Structures Orlando, FL

June 1 Committee 10 - Structures, Maintenance & Construction St. Louis, MO

Nov. 11 Committee 6 Building & Support Facilities California

June 22-23 Committee 24 - Education & Training Salt Lake City, UT

If you’d like to learn more about the AREMA Technical Committees and would like to get involved, please contact Alayne Bell at abell@arema.org. For a complete list of all committee meetings, visit https://www.arema.org/events.aspx. Negotiated airline discount information for AREMA Committee meetings can be found online at: http://www.arema.org/meetings/airlines.aspx.

STAY IN GEAR WITH RAIL GROUP NEWS RAIL GROUP NEWS brings you a daily round-up of news stories from Railway Age, RT&S, and IRJ. This email newsletter offers North American and global news and analysis of the freight and passenger markets. From developments in rail technology, operations, and strategic planning to legislative issues and engineering news, we’ve got you covered.

RAIL GROUP From RAILWAY AGE, Railway Age,RT&S RT&S and and IRJ IRJ NEWS www.railwayage.com/rgn ROUND-UP of NEWS STORIES FROM:

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7/18/17 10:27 AM

rtands.com

PRODUCTS

Battery rail drill

Bottle holder

Cembre S.p.A. has released the ECODRILL LD-16B battery rail drill. The drill is powered by a 36V 6.2Ah battery, and Cembre said the device includes LED lights to enable proper positioning and ensure safety when operating in dark environments.

The drill features LED safety alarms that flash to alert the operator of any battery undervoltage, incorrect insertion, overheating and other problems that could arise, as well.

The drill’s plastic frame is intended to improve its motor cooling abilities, the company said. Due to its battery power, the drill does not require combustible fuel or mains power, and it does not produce fumes that pollute tunnels, the company said.

The drill also is designed to have a low acoustic impact to prevent excess noise and allow for work at night in urban areas. The company said the drill is capable of charging fully in 45 minutes for the operator’s convenience. Website: www.cembre.com.

Ergodyne has released the Squids® 3775 Can/Bottle Holder & Trap, which the company says was designed to easily secure a water bottle, including the standard 16.9 oz. bottle size used on most worksites.

The 3775 can also hold spray paint and lubrication canisters, the company noted.

“Dropped objects are still a major concern on any jobsite with work being done at heights,” said Brent Velenchenko, product specialist.

The bottle holder has a stainless steel belt clip that is capable of attaching to tool belts and fall protection harnesses for convenience. A zinc-plated D-ring provides a secure attachment point for tool lanyards to eliminate the risk of dropped objects, the company said.

“With a new dropped objects standard forthcoming, educating work crews on solutions like these is only going to become more important,” said Tom Votel, president and CEO, Ergodyne.

Website: www.ergodyne.com.

The Railway Educational Bureau

BKAMTRAK

BKRRNN

Amtrak: Past, Present, Future

Guide to Freight Car Trucks

The book chronicles the roles of Amtrak both as a business and as a public entity dependent on political support. It reviews Congressional and White House policies and strategies that contribute to neither business failure nor prosperity. It also details the revolving door of Amtrak presidents.

Guide to Freight Car Trucks is an in-depth look at freight car truck maintenance covering some of today’s most commonly used trucks. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of AARapproved maintenance procedures to help your shop keep this vital component operating safely and efficiently.

Amtrak: Past, Present, Future

$37.95

$89.95

Introduction to North American Railway Signaling

The fifth edition of The Railroad: What It Is, What it Does is even more valuable than before. Inside you’ll find a comprehensive look at how today’s railroads function—from equipment to procedures and marketing to maintenance.

Introduction to North American Railway Signaling covers the basics of signaling philosophy and techniques.This is the book you need for information pertaining to signaling systems used in the various rail transportation modes in North America.

What it is What it does

$46.95

Third Edition

Safe, efficient, and reliable railway operation depends on fundamental concepts of signaling, traffic control, scheduling, and capacity. This book discusses practices from the English, German, and North American perspective as well as the more universal concepts of scheduling and capacity research.

Railway Operations and Control - Third Edition

$39.95*

The Railway Educational Bureau 1809 Capitol Ave., Omaha NE, 68102 www.RailwayEducationalBureau.com rtands.com

BKFTC Guide to Freight Car Trucks

The Railroad What it is, What it does

Railway Operations and Control -

BKROC

Railroad Resources

BKINARS

$56.95

North American Signaling

All About Railroading Second Edition

All About Railroading-Second Edition is the book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of today’s fascinating, high-tech railway industry.

BKAARR All About Railroading

800-228-9670

www.transalert.com

$35.95 Add Shipping & Handling if your merchandise subtotal is:

UP TO $10.00 10.01 - 25.00 25.01 - 50.00 50.01 - 75.00

U.S.A. $4.50 7.92 10.78 11.99

CAN $8.75 12.65 16.80 21.20

Orders over $75, call for shipping

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 39

Calendar

March 12-16. Railroad Track Inspection & Safety Sta n d a r d s Wo r ks h o p. U n i ve r s i t y of Tennessee. Chattanooga, Tenn. Phone: 865-974-5255. Website: www.ttap.utk.edu.

13. Rail Freight Business Development, presented by Railway Age. Union League Club Chicago. Phone: 212-620-7208.

E-mail: conferences@sbpub.com.

22. New England Railroad Club 2018 Rail Tech Conference. Hilton Garden Inn. Worcester, Mass. Website:w w w. nerailroadclub.com/contact-us.

27-28. 23rd Annual Association of American Railroads Research Review. Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Colorado Springs, Colo., and Transportation Technology Center, Pueblo, Colo. Contact: Lori Bennett. Phone: 303-617-3300. Website: www.aar.com.

APRIL 7 -1 0 . A S L R R A 2 0 1 8 C o n n e c t i o n s Convention. Gaylord Opryland. Nashville,

Te n n. Ph on e: 202-628-4 50 0. E-m ail: aslrra@aslrra.org. Website: https://aslrra. org/aslrra2018connections.

1 6 -2 0 . U n i v e r s i t y o f D e l a w a r e â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Management Essentials for the Railroad Industry. Phone: 302-831-8302. E-mail: enggoutreach@udel.edu. Website: http:// railroadengineering.engr.udel.edu.

17-19. SmartRail 2018. Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. Amsterdam. Phone: +4 4 (0)20 7045 0900. E-mail: marketing@ globaltransportforum.com. Website: www. smartrailworld.com/events/smart-rail.

2 3 -2 5 . U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Fundamentals of Rail Freight Terminals, Yards, and Intermodal Facilities. Hilton Oak Lawn. Oak Lawn, Ill. Contact: Dave Peterson. Phone: 800-462-0876. E-mail: dmpeter5@wisc.edu. Website: https://epd. wisc.edu/railroad-engineering.

26-27. Light Rail 2018, presented by Railway Age and RT&S. Baltimore Marriott

The Railway Educational Bureau Design and Construction of NEW! Modern Steel Railway Bridges,

BKFRTE

Basic Principles of Track Maintenance

Basic Principles of Track Maintenance

$140.00

$48.50

The Railway Educational Bureau

40 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

Track Resources Gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of track technology. This book presents the knowledge needed for rational design and maintenance of passenger, freight, and transit track.

Fundamentals of Railway Track Engineering $135.00

BKCAD

$38.95

Drug and Alcohol

The Frog Gauge

Reprinted by popular demand, this book is a valuable reference for roadmasters, track supervisors, track foreman, surveyors and others involved in the planning and execution of track maintenance and construction work.

Fold-out diagrams. Softcover. 301 pages.

1809 Capitol Ave., Omaha NE, 68102 www.RailwayEducationalBureau.com

22-24. 58th Annual RSSI C&S Exhibition.

Hilton Omaha. Omaha, Neb. Phone: 904379-3366. E-mail: rssi@rssi.org. Website: http://www.rssi.org/2018-portal-home.html/.

"Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs" and "Control of Alcohol and Drug Use." Both regulations are in one book. Softcover. Spiral bound.

The Track Data Handbook

BKTDH Track Data Handbook

15-17. 2018 International Crosstie and Fastening System Symposium. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. ChampaignUrbana, Ill. Phone: (217) 300-1340. E-mail: crosstie-conf@illinois.edu. Website: railtec. illinois.edu/Crosstie/2018/crossties.php.

Drug and Alcohol Regulations

Basic Principles of Track Maintenance progresses from an overview of the basic track structure to examinations of its components and ends with a comprehensive look at turnouts and right-of-way.

BKTMB

MAY 1 . I nte rm o d a l A s s o c i ati o n of N o r th America Intermodal Operations and Maintenance Business Meeting. Lombard Yorktown Center. Lombard, Ill. Contact: A n g i e M o g e n s e n . P h o n e: 3 01 -9 8 23400x367. E-mail: angie@intermodal.org.

Website: http://intermodal.org/events/ businessmeeting/index.php.

Fundamentals of Railway Track Engineering

Second Edition

This new edition encompasses current design methods used for steel railway bridges in both SI and Imperial (US Customary) units.

It discusses the planning of railway bridges and the appropriate types of bridges based on planning considerations.

BKDMSRB2 Design & Const. of Mod. Railway Bridges $169.95*

Waterfront. Baltimore, Md. Phone: 212620-7208. E-mail: conferences@sbpub. com. Website: www.railwayage.com/ index.php/conferencespage.

Easy-to-use, this gauge is made of rugged, indestructible, composite material. Ideal for track inspectors, maintenance and welders repairing frogs. The compact gauge measures the flangeway gap and checks proper spacing for guardrails. Order 10 or more and get a 20% discount.

MSFROG

$40.00

Frog Gauge

800-228-9670

www.transalert.com

Add Shipping & Handling if your merchandise subtotal is:

UP TO $10.00 10.01 - 25.00 25.01 - 50.00 50.01 - 75.00

U.S.A. $4.50 7.92 10.78 11.99

CAN $8.75 12.65 16.80 21.20

Orders over $75, call for shipping

rtands.com

Ad Index

COMPANY

PHONE #

FAX #

E-MAIL ADDRESS

PAGE #

American Concrete Products Co.

402-339-3670

bhutchinson@enterprise-properties.com

28

AREMA Marketing Department

301-459-3200

301-459-8077

marketing@arema.org

Cover 3

Auto Truck Group

816-412-2131

816-412-2191

eschoenfeld@autotruck.com

7

Diversified Metal Fabricators

404-875-1512

404-875-4835

sales@dmfatlanta.com

5

Georgetown Rail Equipment Company

512-869-1542

512-863-0405

bachman@georgetownrail.com

17

Harsco Rail

803-822-9160

803-822-8107

railinfo@harsco.com

2

Herzog Railroad Services, Inc.

816-385-8233

jhansen@hrsi.com

23

Hougen Manufacturing, Inc.

866-245-3745

800-309-3299

info@trak-star.com

33

Knox Kershaw Inc.

334-387-5669

334-387-4554

knox@knoxkershaw.com

21

Koppers Railroad Structures

800-356-5952

608-221-0618

rrdiv@koppers.com

Cover 4

Light Rail 2018

212-620-7224

212-633-1165

jchalon@sbpub.com

12-13

Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.

763-478-6014

763-478-2221

sales@loram.com

29

NRC

202-715-2920

202-318-0867

info@nrcma.org

10

Ontario Trap Rock

800-449-4244

bsanders@tomlinsongroup.com

19

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company

256-505-6402

256-505-6051

info@progressrail.com

31

R. J. Corman Railroad Group

800-611-7245

859-885-7804

www.rjcorman.com

9

RailCet

866-724-5238

217-522-6588

grif1020@yahoo.com

8

RCE Equipment Solutions Co.

866-472-4510

630-355-7173

dennishanke@rcequip.com

16

Rail Insights

212-620-7224

212-633-1162

jchalon@sbpub.com

24-25

Railway Education Bureau, The

402-346-4300

402-346-1783

bbrundige@sb-reb-com

39,40

Willamette Valley Company

541-484-9621

541-484-1987

alisha.barrowcliff@wilvaco.com

Cover 2

Advertising Sales MAIN OFFICE Jonathan Chalon Publisher 55 Broad St., 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 (212) 620-7224 Fax: (212) 633-1863 jchalon@sbpub.com AL, KY, Jonathan Chalon 55 Broad St., 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 (212) 620-7224 Fax: (212) 633-1863 jchalon@sbpub.com

CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA, WV, Canada – Quebec and East, Ontario Jerome Marullo 55 Broad St., 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 (212) 620-7260 Fax: (212) 633-1863 jmarullo@sbpub.com AR, AK, AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, In, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, ND, NV, OK, OR, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY, Canada – AB, BC, MB, SK Heather Disabato 20 South Clark Street, Suite 1910 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 683-5026 Fax: (312) 683-0131 hdisabato@sbpub.com The Netherlands, Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal,

Switzerland, North Germany, Middle East, South America, Africa (not South), Far East (Excluding Korea / China/India), All Others, Tenders Louise Cooper International Area Sales Manager The Priory, Syresham Gardens Haywards Heath, RH16 3LB United Kingdom +44-1444-416368 Fax: +44-(0)-1444-458185 lc@railjournal.co.uk Scandinavia, Spain, Southern Germany, Austria, Korea, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe Baltic States, Recruitment Advertising Michael Boyle International Area Sales Manager Nils Michael Boyle Dorfstrasse 70, 6393 St. Ulrich, Austria. +011436767089872 mboyle@railjournal.com

Reader Referral Service This section has been created solely for the convenience of our readers to facilitate immediate contact with the RAILWAY TRACK & STRUCTURES advertisers in this issue.

Italy, Italian-speaking Switzerland Dr. Fabio Potesta Media Point & Communications SRL Corte Lambruschini Corso Buenos Aires 8 V Piano, Genoa, Italy 16129 +39-10-570-4948 Fax: +39-10-553-0088 info@mediapointsrl.it Japan Katsuhiro Ishii Ace Media Service, Inc. 12-6 4-Chome, Nishiiko, Adachi-Ku Tokyo 121-0824 Japan +81-3-5691-3335 Fax: +81-3-5691-3336 amkatsu@dream.com CLASSIFIED, PROFESSIONAL & EMPLOYMENT Jeanine Acquart 55 Broad St., 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 (212) 620-7211 Fax: (212) 633-1325 jacquart@sbpub.com

The Advertisers Index is an editorial feature maintained for the convenience of readers. It is not part of the advertiser contract and RTS assumes no responsibility for the correctness.

rtands.com

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 41

New & Used Equipment

R. E. L. A. M., INC.

Email: RelamCFE@aol.com Tel: 440-439-7088 Fax: 440-439-9399 Visit our website at: www.relaminc.com EQUIPMENT FOR SHORT OR LONG TERM LEASE HARSCO AND NORDCO TAMPERS 6700S, 6700SJ, 6700SJ2 Switch and Production Tampers Mark IV Switch and Production Tampers 3300 and HST Chase Tampers 3000 Tampers w/Raise & Line or Chase Tampers 2400 Tampers w/Raise & Line HYDRAULIC STABILIZERS HARSCO TS-30HDs TIE INSERTERS/EXTRACTORS Nordco TRIPPs TR-10s and TKOs 925 S/Ss, Standards, KTR-400s KNOX KERSHAW PRODUCTS KBR-860s and 925s, KSF-940 Ballast Regulators & Snow Fighters KBR-940 Dual Head Brush Cutters KTC-1200 Tie Cranes KKA-1000/1050 Kribber-Adzers KPB-200 Plate Brooms NORDCO ANCHOR APPLICATORS, SPIKERS & GRABBERS Models CX and SS Spikers M-3 Screw Spike Machines Model F Anchor Machines and BAAMs Model SP2R Dual Spike Puller/Grabbers RACINE RAILROAD PRODUCTS Dual Anchor Spreaders, Squeezers, Knockers (Anchor Removers), Anchor Applicators, DAACs (Dual Anchor Adjuster Cribber), Dual e-Clip Applicators, Ride-on Regauge Adzers, TPIs, Tie Straighteners, OTM Reclaimers, SAFELOK IIIs (SAR IIIs) HI-RAIL CRANES, SPEEDSWINGS & RAILHEATERS Pettibone Model 445E/445F Speedswings w/Multiple Attachments (F’s with Tier 4 Engine) Geismar 360/360-Tronic Hi-Rail Excavators, (Cold Air Blower, Brush Cutter, Grapple, Heel Boom, Train Air & Knuckle available) Badger 30 Ton Cranes w/Hi-Rails Propane and Diesel Railheaters - Single & Dual Sided, Self-propelled w/Vibrators HI-RAIL TRUCKS, EXCAVATORS, & CARTS Hi-Rail Gradalls, XL3300 Series III w/Digging Buckets & Brush Cutters Hi-Rail Rotary Dumps, Various Hi-Rail Pickups Hi-Rail Grapple Trucks (available w/Magnet, Rail Racks & Creep Drive) 25-ton Hudson Ballast Cars 25-ton Rail and OTM Carts, 5-ton Tie Carts

Sales

aspenequipment.com/railroad

Rentals

Service Parts

New and Used Hi-Rail Trucks Available

Nationwide DELIVERY

- Pickup Trucks - Service Bodies

- Flatbeds - Bucket Trucks

- Welding Trucks - Section Trucks - Grapple Trucks

- Track Inspector Trucks - Boom Trucks

CAll Bruce Harrod: 877-888-9730 BHarrod@aspeneq.com

100 S Paniplus Drive Olathe, ks 66061 main: 913.764.1315 Mobile: 913.972.1013

PARTS • SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS

Available for Lease 3000 cu ft Covered Hopper Cars 4650 cu ft Covered Hopper Cars 3600 cu ft Open Top Hopper Cars 4480 cu ft Aluminum Rotary Open Top Gons 65 ft, 100-ton log spine cars equipped with six (6) log bunks 60 ft, 100 ton Plate F box cars, cushioned underframe and 10 ft plug doors 50 ft, 100 ton Plate C box cars, cushioned underframe and 10 ft plug doors Contact: Tom Monroe: 415-616-3472 Email: tmonroe@atel.com

42 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

OLATHE, KS • HOUSTON, TX • BRIGHTON, CO • BRANCHBURG, NJ • SAN MARCOS, CA • CALGARY

www.colliscw.com

rtands.com

New & Used Equipment

SALES – SERVICE – RENTALS – PARTS – HI-RAIL & CRANE INSPECTIONS HI-RAIL TRUCKS IN INVENTORY AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR RENTAL (NEW AND USED)

MOW Integrated Carbide Tools 6700 Tamping Tool JK-635

SECTION TRUCKS – GRAPPLE TRUCKS ROTARY DUMP TRUCKS ... PICKUP TRUCKS … AND MORE ALSO HEAVY DUTY HI-RAIL TIE & RAIL CARTS

MKIV Tamping Tool JK-215L/R

GRM3000 Tamping Tool JK-560C

Omaha Track Equipment 13010 F Plaza • Omaha NE 68137 (402) 339-4512 Contact JOHN GALLO • (402) 990-9385

Replace worn components with Harsco Rail’s complete line of integrated carbide tools.

johng@omahatrack.com

• Class 1 product approval • Genuine OEM parts • All products in stock with immediate availability

To order, call: 1-800-800-6410 Email: railparts@harsco.com MOW Equipment Lease & Sale Brushcutting Specialized Hauling Track Surfacing Low Boys with Rail

www.RailwayEquipmentServices.net “A full service company with over 25 yrs exp!”

TAKE A LOOK AT QUALITY Kenworths, DMF Gear, Moley Magnets & Serco Loaders

Products & Services

REESE Grapple Trucks

Rotary Dumps

Gradall 3100

LEASE or BUY

Tunnel Trucks

Custom Build New or Used Chassies.

Also: Hirail Boom Dump Trucks NOW a Hirail Mechanics Trucks SERCO Crew Cabs DEALER Hytracker for moving equipment Hudson Ballast Cars DMF & Harsco parts, service and installation

RAILROAD SERVICES

Est. 1910

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?

• Track construction and maintenance • On-track ditching and rotary dump service • On-track tree trimming and brushcutting • Storm and flood cleanup and debris removal • Tie distribution, removal and disposal

K. W. Reese, Inc.

Box 298 • Mercersburg, PA 17236

(717) 328-5211 • fax (717) 328-9541 • www.kwreese.com

2016 NRC PlatiNum Safety awaRd wiNNeR

Ph: 315-455-0100 • Fax: 315-455-6008 • Syracuse, NY • www.franktartaglia.com rtands.com

March 2018 // Railway Track & Structures 43

Professional Directory

The Railway Educational Bureau Books

Railroad Resources

NEW!

Guide to North American Diesel Locomotives

Jeff Wilson's new book, Guide to North American Diesel Locomotives, offers more than 300 pages of detailed information on diesel locomotives produced in North America from the 1930s to today. Hardcover.

BKGNADL

$27.99*

The Great Railroad War: United States Railway Operations During World War I The book covers the unpreparedness of the railroads for an unprecedented war, the 1918 government takeover to ensure operating efficiency, and the relinquishment of the railroads and groundbreaking Transportation Act of 1920. Hardcover.

Employment

BKWAR

Guide to Couplers and Draft Systems

Now Hiring

Fax: 888-700-6393 Office: 817-439-5693 Various Locations Positions available • • • • •

Area Mangers Superintendents Operators Laborers Foreman

Apply at www.atgcontractor.com

$25.00*

Learn maintenance procedures on various types of coupler and draft systems used on railway equipment. This book covers comprehensive information that identifies the various components, identification, inspection and gauging details for various systems used on railway freight cars. Now in soft cover format.

BKCDG

$67.95

All About Railroading Second Edition

All About Railroading-Second Edition is the book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of today’s fascinating, high-tech railway industry. Softcover.

BKAARR

$35.95

Railway Operations and Control - Third Edition Railway Operation and Control discusses signaling and traffic control practices from the English, German, and North American perspective as well as the more universally applicable concepts of scheduling and capacity research. Soft cover

Products & Services

ERIC HEADRICK President 205 N. Chestnut/PO Box 404 Arcola, IL 61910

Ph217-268-5110 cell217-259-4823 Fax217-268-3059 email eric@rrcri.com Exchange Units/Related Tamper Parts and Assemblies To purchase parts, contact: New & Rebuilt sales@rrcri.com Electromatic/Hydraulic Units available for same Workheads day shipping

BKROC

$39.95*

The Railway Educational Bureau 1809 Capitol Ave., Omaha NE, 68102 www.RailwayEducationalBureau.com

800-228-9670

www.transalert.com Add Shipping & Handling if your merchandise subtotal is: U.S.A. CAN U.S.A. CAN 25.01 - 50.00 10.78 16.80 100.01 - 150.00 16.28 36.60 50.01 - 75.00 11.99 21.20 150.01 - 200.00 19.03 49.15 75.01 - 100.00 14.30 27.95 200.01 - 300.00 23.10 61.20

Orders over $300, call for shipping

* No bookseller discounts available.

44 Railway Track & Structures // March 2018

rtands.com

RAILWAY ENGINEERING EMPLOYERS NEED A

LEVEL OF JOB PERFORMANCE THAT IS BETTER THAN SATISFACTORY. The candidates at the Railway Careers Network deliver consistent excellence - a standard which can only be met with continuous access to state-of-the-art skills and continuing education. By leveraging the power of a trusted association, you tap into a talent pool of candidates with the training and education needed for long-term success.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to be seen by an exclusive audience of the best and brightest in the railway engineering industry.

Visit the Railway Careers Network to post your job today!

Apply by May 25, 2018

www.arema.org/careers Criteria:

Call for Entries

• Innovation • Safety • Service Performance & Reliability

The selection process for the twentieth Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence has begun and this year's chair, AREMA Past President and Honorary Member Michael W. Franke, PE, a former student of Dr. Hay, has issued a call for entries.

2018 HAY AWARD CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

The 2017 Hay Award was awarded to Washington State Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway for their project on Improvements for Passenger Rail Service and Reliability on BNSF Railway in Washington State.

Proven Life extension for timber bridges with In-Place Preservative Treatment along with Detailed Inspection to prolong service life.

60 years

> of <

STRENGTH

RAILROAD STRUCTURES

At less than 5-7% the cost of replacement, you can extend the service life of your timber structures while experiencing a detailed inspection to help prioritize any noted defects. We invented this specialized process and pioneered its use on all types of timber structures. We perfected the methods to safely employ preservatives to make your bridges last much longer.

When it really matters | www.koppers.com

North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridge Contractor

RAILROAD S