TTC Operated by ENSCO Enhancing Rail Integrity: Expansion of the Rail Flaw Library at the Transportation Technology Center
NRC Chairman’s Column
Leave Your Election Headache Behind. Make Positive Connections at the NRC Conference.
AREMA
Message from the President
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RT&S 2024 Engineer of the Year Maintaining the Railroad with Military Precision: RT&S 2024 Engineer of the Year
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Vendor-Product Spotlight Winter Maintenance
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2024 Product and Innovation Showcase
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Robert Tuzik, Talus Associates
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Ithink it’s fair to say that at least onethird, if not approaching one-half, of our readers developed an interest in trains early in life. is column is aimed at those readers, but others will likely be interested, too. Regardless of whether you have a “hobby” interest in trains in addition to your professional work, many among us have been intrigued by the many books published over the past few years in the “then and now” category. ese books contain “then and now” photographs of certain areas of a city, industrial plant, or whatever the subject of the book is. Many times, the number of changes that have occurred over the past 50 years is astounding.
If you’ll indulge me this month, I have my own “then and now” images I’d like to share. Both images are looking south along the Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern mainline from Atlanta to Washington, in
a neighborhood called Peachtree Hills in northeast Atlanta, where I grew up. Usually, the scene in “then” pictures is one where you’ll see the railroad, but not much else. Only a er a period of development and growth will you begin to see buildings and industrial facilities in the picture, which evolve into a “now” image. For example, one might assume that the image on the bottom is “then” while the one on the top is “now.” However, the reverse is true. e image with the was made in 1976, headed north out of Atlanta. at image shows a small cement plant called “Whitley Concrete.” To the le of the train and out of view is a large thread and fabric manufacturing company called “Coats and Clark” and across the street from that is a regional Firestone o ce. ese facilities were the remnants of light industrial activities that began sometime in the 1940s.
As those facilities went out of business, the character of the neighborhood went from part light industrial/light residential to completely residential except for some high-end boutiques and wholesale shopping to the right of the tracks as you face the train. To the le of the tracks facing the train, where Coats & Clark used to be, there is additional higher-end residential. at brings us to the “now” image, made in 2023, although it’s about 100 yards further north than the original. Property owners on both sides of the tracks decided that they didn’t want residents to look at a railroad from their porches and windows, so a large batch of trees was planted on both sides, giving this a “then” look to it.
Seeing how industrial areas and neighborhoods change over time is fascinating. I’m sure most everyone has their own sets of images, either photographs or memories, that depict the evolution of our landscape.
DAVID C. LESTER Editor-in-Chief
Enhancing Rail Integrity: Expansion of the Rail Flaw Library at the Transportation Technology Center
Expanding the RF-LOAD to enhance rail safety
Alejandro Alvarez Reyes, Senior Rail Research Engineer, ENSCO, Inc., Pueblo, CO
Megan Brice, Rail Integrity Program Manager, Federal Railroad Administration
Robert Wilson, Track Research Engineer, Federal Railroad Administration
Enhancing rail integrity through improved rail inspection techniques continues to be an essential element of railway safety. This article explores the expansion of the Rail Flaw Library of Associated Defects (RF-LOAD) at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado, supported by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The RF-LOAD aims to enable researchers and technologists to develop new rail flaw detection and characterization methods, ultimately improving rail integrity and associated railway safety and reliability.
Background
The RF-LOAD began in 2017, aiming to build a comprehensive library of rail flaw samples for the purpose of having an accessible source of defective rails and welds for academic researchers and industry technology companies. This library is essential for developing and refining non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques, particularly ultrasonic testing (UT) and phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). These methods detect internal rail defects that might not be visible on the surface but could lead to service failures or broken rail derailments if left unchecked. Ultrasonic NDE methods are the
primary techniques railroads use to monitor, detect, and characterize rail defects. These methods rely on the reflection of ultrasonic waves from flaws within the rail. However, traditional ultrasonic systems have limitations, such as fixed-angled inspection approaches and challenges with acoustic coupling, particularly with worn rail profiles or damaged rail surfaces. The RF-LOAD helps address and mitigate these limitations by providing a diverse set of rail and weld samples with machined and naturally occurring flaws for testing and improving NDE techniques.
Objectives
The primary objective of the RF-LOAD expansion is to enhance rail safety by enabling researchers and technologists to develop and deploy advanced rail NDE methods. Specific goals include improving defect detection sensitivity by enhancing the ability of NDE techniques to detect smaller and more challenging flaws. Additionally, the library aims to increase inspection reliability by standardizing inspection processes to reduce variability and improve accuracy. Another key goal is to support industry needs by providing resources for operator training, rigorous calibration, improved inspection and maintenance practices, and risk reduction through probability of detection (POD) demonstrations.
e RF-LOAD is a counterpart to the Rail Defect Test Facility (RDTF) track at the TTC. e RDTF is a specialized test track that has machined and naturally occurring rail aw defects intentionally installed in the track. e RDTF is a great resource to evaluate automated rail aw inspection technologies once they are at the stage for on-track evaluations. e RF-LOAD is a great resource to evaluate rail aws in an in-depth, laboratory setting.
Methods and Tools
The RF-LOAD uses a combination of physical and NDE measurement techniques to characterize rail flaws. These methods include:
• Dimensional and MiniProf Profile
Measurements: These measurements
help calculate rail wear and align rails with template profiles, generating two- and three-dimensional CAD models of the defective rails.
• Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and Phased Array UT (PAUT): Hand-held ultrasonic devices detect and characterize internal flaws. PAUT is more accurate than conventional UT, especially for sizing reflectors in worn rails. The PAUT unit available onsite has Full Matrix Capture/Total Focusing Method (FMC/TFM) capabilities, known for delivering better image quality and solving engineering issues, adding economic value.
ese characterized rail aw samples and their 3D models are available to interested researchers and industry technologists. e library and the PAUT can be used in situ, or the samples can be shipped to interested parties. is collaboration supports ongoing research and optimization of rail inspection systems.
Importance of Advanced NDE Techniques
Advanced NDE techniques play a crucial role in ensuring rail safety. By providing more accurate and reliable methods for detecting and characterizing rail flaws, these techniques help prevent rail failures and improve the overall safety of rail transportation. The RF-LOAD is a key initiative in advancing these techniques and addressing the challenges faced by the rail industry. Advanced NDE techniques, such as PAUT, offer higher sensitivity and accuracy in detecting small and challenging flaws, identifying potential issues before they lead to rail failures. By characterizing flaws under different rail profiles and surface conditions, advanced NDE techniques provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that affect flaw detection, optimizing inspection processes and improving reliability. The use of standardized rail flaw samples and rigorous calibration procedures ensures consistency and accuracy in NDE inspections, maintaining high inspection standards and reducing variability. Additionally,
advanced NDE techniques and standardized samples facilitate effective operator training, enabling well-trained operators to perform more accurate inspections and identify flaws more reliably, thereby enhancing overall rail safety.
Collection of Rail Samples for RF-LOAD
FRA collaborates closely with Class 1 railroads to collect rail samples that reflect current industry challenges, ensuring the library is stocked with relevant examples of rail defects. The process of detecting and characterizing rail flaws involves several steps. First, rail samples with naturally occurring flaws are collected from the field, encompassing various rail profiles with different degrees of wear and surface damage. These samples undergo physical measurements to determine their dimensional properties, with MiniProf profile measurements assessing rail wear and aligning the samples with template profiles. Hand-held UT
and PAUT devices are then used to detect and characterize internal flaws within the rail samples, identifying the size, location, and orientation of these flaws. The data obtained from these physical and NDE measurements are used to create two- and three-dimensional CAD models of the defective rails, which help visualize internal flaws and calculate cross-sectional head areas for different rail profiles. Finally, the characterized rail flaw samples and their models are shared with other rail researchers and industry service providers, fostering collaboration and improvement in NDE techniques and the optimization of rail inspection systems.
Collaboration and Industry Support
The RF-LOAD emphasizes the importance of collaboration and industry support in advancing rail safety. By providing access to characterized rail flaw samples and promoting the sharing of resources and findings, the library
fosters a collaborative environment where researchers and industry professionals can work together to improve NDE techniques and rail inspection systems. Companies can use the library for training purposes, allowing technicians to gain experience with actual defects pulled from tracks. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for developing handheld technology and equipment and as a crucial step in the development of non-contact/on-track inspection technology and equipment before they are ready for on-track testing. The characterized rail flaw samples and their models are available to other rail researchers and industry service providers, supporting ongoing research and development efforts. The library encourages collaboration among rail industry stakeholders, including researchers, service providers, and regulatory agencies, helping address common challenges and drive improvements in rail safety. Additionally, the RF-LOAD
Figure 1. Overview of the Rail Flaw Library of Associated Defects (RF-LOAD) at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC).
provides valuable data and resources for developing and testing emerging NDE technologies. By supporting innovation, the library helps advance the state of the art in rail inspection and flaw detection.
Impact and Future Actions
The expansion of the RF-LOAD is expected to significantly impact the rail industry by providing a robust resource for testing and improving NDE techniques. This initiative will:
• Support Research and Development: The library provides valuable data for developing new NDE technologies and improving existing ones.
• Enhance Rail Safety: Improving flaw detection and characterization methods can reduce the risk of rail failures.
• Facilitate Operator Training: Standardized samples help train operators more effectively, ensuring consistent and accurate inspections.
• Promote Industry Collaboration: Sharing resources and findings fosters collaboration across the rail
industry, driving collective improvements in rail safety and reliability.
FRA and ENSCO will continue to collect and characterize a wide array of naturally occurring rail flaw samples from various sources, including the TTC and revenue service lines. This ongoing effort aims to meet future development needs by providing researchers and industry professionals with open access to different kinds of rail defects.
Conclusion
The expansion of the RF-LOAD at the TTC marks a significant advancement in rail safety. By offering valuable resources for research, development, and training, this initiative supports the industry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity and reliability of rail transportation.
RF-LOAD plays a crucial role in improving rail NDE techniques, enabling better detection and characterization of rail flaws, which in turn reduces the risk of rail failures. Continued collaboration with industry stakeholders, including
railroads donating service flaws, is vital for the library’s success and the advancement of NDE methods.
For more detailed information on accessing the library and borrowing samples, please visit FRA’s website at https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary .For inquiries about the Rail Flaw Library and ongoing research, please contact Alejandro Alvarez Reyes at alvarez-reyes. alejandro@ensco.com , and explore more about rail integrity initiatives on the TTC website at www.ttc-ensco.com
The Symbol of Innovation in Maintenance of Way Equipment
Racine Railroad Products’ cutting edge operator control interface and computerized automation not only increases production, it also improves safety while making our machines easier to operate and maintain the equipment. We offer a wide-range of innovative powered portable hand tools. Visit us at racinerailroad.com Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/racine-railroad-products See our machines and operator controlled screens at youtube.com/@racinerailroad1986 Contact us on how we can assist you with your MOW needs (262) 637-9681
JOE DALOISIO Chairman, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)
Leave Your Election Headache Behind. Make Positive Connections at the NRC.
Does this election season have you down? Are you tired of the divisive chatter and ads? Do you find it exhausting to tiptoe around or even avoid political discussions with friends, family, and business associates? You’re not alone! I’m right there with you.
e divisions in our country are sad and disheartening. But I nd encouragement, unity and even refuge in our industry. I am proud and inspired to be among the visionary and hard-working leaders and professionals who espouse a higher calling and are always eager to come together, roll up their sleeves, and advance our great nation.
I recently heard a Class I engineering leader assert that “when a railroad is sick, everyone else gets the sni es.” e interconnected nature of our industry really sets us apart. While we all su er and struggle together when times are tough, we also are blessed to bene t when times are good. We’re a model for every other industry. We are uni ed! We are strong! We exemplify the American spirit of comradery and competition, with genuine support for each other.
I love this country, and I love this industry. ere are so many positives. I see evidence every day of the ways our industry is working safer, smarter, and better together, despite disagreements and competing interests.
If you’re looking for reassurance, there’s no better place to experience that positive dynamic than at the 2025 NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition. Regardless of what the election brings in November, start the new year invigorated for the future by joining your railroad family from January 5 through 8 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida.
Past attendees know what sets the NRC Conference apart from others. It’s our focus on people and fortifying meaningful relationships. e conference provides the opportunity to connect with more than 1,000 top industry leaders – to rekindle old connections and make new ones – and gain an arsenal of valuable information.
Your dedicated NRC sta and board have been hard at work to put together a powerful line-up of detailed presentations about 2025 engineering and capital plans, the “meat & potatoes” of the conference. You’ll hear rsthand from top engineering leaders
with all the Class 1 and major short line railroads as well as large passenger rail and transit authorities.
I’ve heard repeatedly over the years that our conference gets better and better every year. at’s no accident. It’s a testament to the NRC team who carefully listens to attendees to cra and ne tune the program sessions, adding new fresh topics to bene t everyone:
• Multiple safety presentations, including from Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) representatives who will address roadway worker protection and key regulation updates
• Panel discussions covering Sustainability, Signals & Communications, Industrial Development, and Government A airs
• Informative workshop and breakout sessions, including speed networking where contractors and suppliers spend dedicated time with select Class I and short line railroad representatives
• NRC annual award presentations for Safe Contractor of the Year, Large and Small Projects of the Year, Field Employee of the Year, Hall of Fame, and our expanded Innovation in Technology and Process award. e NRC is currently accepting nominations for all of these awards.
• Endless networking opportunities, including the NRC-REMSA Exhibition featuring suppliers and vendors, and numerous social gatherings
Make plans to attend now! Conference registration and the hotel block are open. Don’t miss the chance to connect with and get to know our industry leaders one on one. Scan the QR code to nd everything you need to know, including the complete conference lineup, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, golf, and trap shooting options. Slots sell out so don’t wait.
While we can’t easily x our nation’s divisions, we can continue to strengthen and unify our industry, setting an example for everyone else to follow! I look forward to seeing you in Marco Island this January.
“We aren’t just in this industry. We are this industry!”
MILITARY PRECISION MAINTAINING THE RAILROAD WITH
Je rey Watson, Engineer of the Year, Genesee & Wyoming
By David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
The 2024 Engineer of the Year, Jeffrey Watson, Vice President of Engineering at Genesee & Wyoming, knows a thing or two about hard work and leadership. While an engineering undergraduate at Mississippi State, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve and served a little over six years as an infantryman in the Marine Corps, years that included a demanding overseas assignment. “If you ask me,” Watson said, “the Marine Corp offers the greatest leadership training in the world.” Watson applied a lot of his Marine leadership training to his career in the railroad industry, but more about that later. Watson was born in Indianapolis and
moved to Jacksonville in the late 1980s, where his father worked for CSX as an attorney in the Government Affairs Department. (His father had hired on with Seaboard Coast Line, which became part of CSX). Interviewing with a few engineering companies, Watson couldn’t find what he was looking for and wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to do. “My father said, ‘what about the railroad?’” He hadn’t given much thought to it, but when he left the Marine Corp in 2002, he joined CSX as a Management Trainee in the Engineering Department. The CSX management training program was being rebuilt at the time, and it was less formal than it is today. He notes that only two people
from his training class are still with the rail industry, and his remaining classmate works in Engineering at CSX.
“I was lucky to hire at a time when the average age in the industry was considerably older than now, and I was surrounded by countless people with 30+ years of experience. It was a great time to learn the railroad business but also intimidating to work with and manage people who were almost exclusively 20+ years older than me,” Watson says. “I credit that environment with creating the foundation of my knowledge and success. It also helped me to become a better leader. I managed some of the best people I’ve ever worked with in the early days of my career, and the technical skills
I learned from them were invaluable. After about six years at various positions with CSX, ending as Roadmaster at the hump yard in Louisville, I joined Genesee & Wyoming.”
Watson likes to talk about leadership and his belief that strong leadership is really about building strong teams. “I don’t care for people who take all the credit and have the attitude of ‘this project would not have been accomplished unless I had been here.’” He
I DON’T CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO TAKE ALL THE CREDIT AND HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF ‘THIS PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED UNLESS I HAD BEEN HERE.’ SUCCESS AS A LEADER IS 100% CONTINGENT ON THE STRENGTH OF YOUR TEAM.
added that success as a leader is 100% contingent on the strength of your team. If you create a team and provide them resources and direction they need, you virtually ensure the success of your mission or project. “Out on the railroad,” Watson said, “we must be able to anticipate situations that would take us where we don’t want to go. We emphasize telling people why they need to do what they do instead of just telling folks to do it. This gives them understanding, creates buy-in and provides greater job satisfaction for everyone.”
Watson started with G&W as a Roadmaster on the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad. He was only there for a few months before working his way through regional management positions as the company went through a significant growth phase through acquisitions, including the purchase of RailAmerica. “This created a constantly evolving and satisfyingly challenging work environment,” Watson said. He added, “I gained experience during those years in building safety cultures, establishing standards and consistent procedures, along with
building maintenance plans to establish the capital cycles and level of track safety we expect of G&W railroads.” In 2018, Watson transferred to G&W’s Australian subsidiary and spent two years working in what he says was “perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable stint of my career.” He points out that “it was an intriguing environment with the same ultimate goals and expectations we have within the U.S. industry but different paths to achieve those goals.”
In March of 2020, Watson returned to the U.S. and assumed his current position as Vice President of Engineering for G&W. Interestingly, Watson said that “I can’t recall the exact date, but COVID hit, and the NBA season was cancelled, and I arrived back in the country on a Tuesday,
and my first day back in the office was Wednesday of that week. That was also my last day in the office for some time. It was pure luck that I flew home when I did. Two days later, and I very likely would have been stuck in Australia for another year or longer. It was an interesting time to return to the U.S. operation and take on the biggest position of my career. Certainly not ideal, but I worked through the challenges, and it’s been a great experience ever since.”
Engineering at G&W
When asked what a typical day on the railroad is like, Watson responded by saying that typically, days are devoted to meetings or being in the field. “I enjoy being in the field as often as I can to
work with our folks and gather information, which helps with capital planning and enables me to ensure that we’ve got the best equipment and the right equipment for the team to do its job. I also spend time analyzing new properties to see what needs to be done to rehabilitate them and follow those field visits with budget and capital planning meetings.”
Watson points out that all of the roads’ inspection is handled internally. He says the railroads rely on maintenance contractors to some extent, but they do many things themselves. “Analyzing and keeping that schedule going takes a lot of time.” One challenge during much of the year, he says, is managing through various types of weather due to the geographic breadth of their properties. G&W may have one railroad under ice and snow while, at the same time, dealing with the potential for thermal misalignments (sun kinks) on a road in a hotter part of the country.
Information technology, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) are bandied
about a lot in today’s rail industry. But Watson says G&W’s engineering and IT teams take a very disciplined approach to testing and rolling out new technology across its footprint. For example, they use both visual and x-ray for tie inspection, which eliminates thousands of man hours, and much of the visual inspection is to verify the accuracy of data gathered by x-ray. As the industry moves forward with AI and machine learning, G&W is moving forward, too, but at a slower pace. “We must make sure that technology we employ has proven worth the investment on other railroads before we can afford to have large datagathering equipment and highly sophisticated machine learning algorithms,” Watson points out. “However, we do utilize algorithms and machine learning in some areas and work carefully to ensure that our different IT platforms can speak to each other as changes are made. While we have not developed a formal AI program, we are watching developments in this area very closely,
and we are working with engineers at Rutgers University to develop an AI-based joint bar inspection system.”
Like other railroads, G&W employs rail grinding and lubrication programs, but Watson says that the extent to which varies greatly by the size of the railroad. “Some of our properties that are 500+ miles long have programs like those of Class Is. However, on roads that average 3 million gross tons or less per year, we may do some grinding but tend to replace rail when its profile needs to be reconfigured.” The same parameters apply to lubrication programs, which presents Watson’s team with a complex maintenance management program.
Regarding track geometry testing, Watson said that all of this is done internally by G&W. “We have two Hi-Rail trucks for track geometry, one that’s lighter duty and one that has a sliding weight to make it heavy enough to replicate train forces.” When asked about autonomous testing, Watson said this doesn’t work for G&W because
the geographic spread and incontiguous nature of their footprint. “Moving automated testing equipment from one
railroad to the next would require interchange and expensive per diem and lost
time for any automated equipment, so we’re not presently doing this.”
Track and bridge inspectors on the G&W have drones available to them, and most are basic off-the-shelf units flown by those who are licensed to do so. “We also have some heavy duty, expensive drones, with high-dollar cameras available for when very detailed inspection is required and are particularly important for bridge inspection when our ‘snooper’ truck is not available.” The railroad also employs Lidar systems to check clearances for dimensional loads and has found the “digital twin” very useful for ensuring that all clearances are adequate.
Watson points out that railroading is a career, and not a nine-to-five job to have until something “better” comes along. He said, “If you work hard and put in your time, you will achieve the goals you are seeking. It won’t happen overnight, though. The railroad is not going anywhere, and we work to instill this in our young employees.”
Aspotlight feature on Winter Maintenance in the middle of the scorching August heat may seem counterintuitive, but as Tayler Grande from Thermon told RT&S , “We recommend maintainers begin firing up their systems earlier rather than later in the season to beat the initial storms that typically begin in the fall.” Preparation is the name of the game.
As we move from the heat to cooler seasons in North America, the focus in track maintenance shifts to include
From frozen switches to ice on the rails, railroads need a plan in place to combat the e ects of the winter season.
By Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
WINTER IS COMING
cold-weather solutions. We have seen blizzards and ice storms ravage rail networks and impede operations. For the safety of freight and passenger trains, railroads need specialized equipment to combat ice and snow that settles and freezes on the tracks. To keep the rightof-way clear, these suppliers offer their best in winter maintenance.
When it comes to navigating different areas and landscapes, the Pettibone Speed Swing 445F2 is compatible with dozens of attachments, including some
options specifically designed to clear snow from railways and surrounding areas. Mitch Fedie, Account Manager, Rail Products told RT&S , “For heavy-duty snow removal, a standard Speed Swing unit can be equipped with snow buckets and adjustable V-plows. A sweeper-broom attachment is commonly used to brush the snow off switches. A track-cleaning bucket can be used to clean snow off tracks via built-in notches that slide over each rail as the bucket advances.”
The 445F2 can travel up to 25 mph
on Hi-Rail and 20 mph with all-terrain rubber tires. The tires afford greater maneuverability off the rails to simplify winter maintenance tasks. For operation in colder climates, Pettibone offers diesel heating systems for the Speed Swing. The system can be programmed to start the engine at a specific time before work is scheduled to begin. This ensures the machine is ready to go – with the engine, hydraulics an inside of the cab all properly heated – without idling overnight and burning costly fuel. Users can also take advantage of cold-weather fluids. Gear oil and hydraulic fluids that are less viscous will perform better in cold temperatures. Customers can specify cold-weather packages from the factory.
Thermon’s products play a critical role in maintaining clear railway switches.
Ice and snow on the tracks are a major cause of winter delays and its Fastrax and Hellfire snow clearing devices help eliminate interruptions due to frozen switches. Thermon told RT&S , “We are dedicated to enabling the safe and timely delivery of passengers and goods. Our experienced staff is fully trained in rail heating package installation techniques and providing full engineering support with the best possible heating solutions for our customers.”
ermon o ers a wide array of products including but not limited to the Hell re 400, 900 and 905 packages, high velocity cold air blowers, Fastrax electric Switchblade elements complete with control panel setup, hot box detector systems and platform heaters. ese are designed to clear ice and snow from heel to point of switch
to ensure less down time for railroads and those who maintain the switches.
RECo’s service extends beyond just the sale of its units. It o ers detailed installation and technical support, covering everything from gas and electrical connections to seasonal adjustments which ensure peak performance throughout the winter. Regular maintenance is crucial for these systems. RECo provides thorough guidelines on essential tasks like motor greasing, low-pressure regulator adjustments, and general troubleshooting. It also has a 24/7 technical support line ensuring that its customers can always operate their systems with con dence. RECo says, “Our commitment to safety and e ciency makes our products a reliable choice for maintaining clear and operational railway tracks during snowy conditions.”
Photo Credit: Thermon
Thermon o ers the Hellfire 400, 900 and 905 packages for tackling winter-related issues on the track.
Introducing: Mr. Kevin Erasmus, CEO of DavRail Inc. and President/CEO
of Fort Worth & Western Railroad
With a career path marked by a commitment to understanding every facet of the railroad industry and thinking outside the box, Kevin Erasmus’ journey is characterized by discipline, resilience, and imagination.
Having served in the South African Air Force for a notable 7-year commission, Erasmus brings a blend of communication skills, patience, and a strong focus on long-term strategy. He began his career in railroading with Rail America in 2009. He then moved to Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWWR) in 2012 and later became President and CEO of FWWR’s parent company, Davoil Inc., where he leads the entire corporate portfolio. In 2021, Kevin formed DavRail Inc., whose mission is to bring the very latest in Maintenance of Way equipment and innovative strategies to the Americas.
We interviewed Kevin to learn more about his methodologies:
Q: As the CEO of DavRail Inc. and President/CEO of FWWR, what leadership challenges and strategies do you nd commonplace between the two companies?
A: Even though the FWWR recently celebrated its 35-year anniversary and DavRail is a start-up in its infancy, both companies are in aggressive phases of growth, albeit very different trajectories. Leading these efforts for each company is different; on the one hand, you have an experienced team set in their ways, and on the other, you have a younger, more energetic team navigating through unchartered territory. One challenge in leading these diametrically opposed growth efforts: for the experienced railroad team, it’s selling them on a vision and getting their buy-in to motivate change, whereas, with the start-up team, it’s guiding them to stay the course and implementing the strategic plan without distraction.
Q: With the rapid growth of businesses and populations in Texas, how are FWWR and DavRail Inc. preparing to meet the inevitable surge in demand?
A: We anticipate that opening the Presidio Bridge on the border of Mexico in 2025 will present tremendous opportunities for growth on the FWWR. To that end, we are in the process of expanding our locomotive eet. In 2023, we traded two gensets for two SD-60 M’s and added four more SD-60M’s to support our haulage activity. This year, we are trading in ve older units and taking delivery of two GP-60 and eight GP-50 locomotives to support our industry-switching activities. DavRail will continue to grow by expanding its exclusive representation of international products specic to MOW services, and marketing those products in the Americas.
Q: DavRail has started importing cutting-edge technologies that have proven successful overseas. What is the process of selecting these innovative technologies?
A: Since my appointment in 2021 to lead the Davoil Group of Companies, I have aspired to maintain a consistent path to success: (i) stabilize the existing group of companies, (ii) grow the group through start-ups, mergers, and acquisitions, and (iii) optimize our investments through diversication. A part of my growth strategy was to identify technologies that not only provide a cohesiveness to the FWWR and existing portfolio of companies, but also offer unique solutions and services to the rail industry that are safe and efcient – hence the creation of DavRail!
Q: Does that strategy differ when selecting international rms to partner with?
A: The strategy does not change. Although not exclusive, as a familyowned business, we value opportunities to partner with companies around the world that are family-owned, companies that offer unique products in the railroad space that also have the desire to establish a long-term legacy for future generations.
Q: With your companies offering such a diverse array of services, what are some distinct advantages of this multifaceted structure, and how does it benet your overall business strategy?
A: In today’s economic and geopolitical climate, diversity in business is key! Having a multifaceted business structure opens doors to opportunities that create synergy and broaden the foundation of the business, providing security and stability in a climate riddled with uncertainty.
Q: Is there one particular aspect of your job you nd yourself most looking forward to each day?
A: My purpose in life is simple: inspire others by sharing my experiences, and part with my wisdom and knowledge as a mentor, be a man of integrity, improve the business with which I have been entrusted, and positively inuence the lives of those on my team. With that purpose in mind, I look forward each day to the opportunity to create “food for thought,” to alter the way individuals think about or approach their daily tasks, stretch their imaginations beyond what they know, and share in the joy as they celebrate their accomplishments.
Key Features and Benets for these Products:
•Low Gross Weight - No CDL Needed for Transport
•Compact Size & Maneuverability
•Remote Controlled
•Each Functions as a Hydraulic Power Pack
Lifter
Track Cable Transporter (TCT)
Message From Incoming President Bill Riehl
Welcome to the 20242025 program year in AREMA. I am very honored to lead this next chapter of the Association’s work to be the preeminent source of technical and practical knowledge and recommended practices for the Railway Industry. For those who do not know me, my railway journey started in college, where I was able to take Penn State University’s seniorlevel Railroad Engineering course. This led me to look at railroad specific jobs upon graduation, and I embarked on a 37-year journey that has spanned consultant, contractor, shortline, and regional railroad engineering positions.
My interest in the association paralleled my professional career, beginning with my first AREMA Conference at the Palmer House Hotel in 1987. From there as my roles changed and grew, I found AREMA and its predecessor organizations to be the perfect incubator to grow my knowledge and share the lessons I had learned.
Along the way, I have had the opportunity to work with some great railroaders. I certainly appreciate those who have paved the way for my success. This is especially true within AREMA itself. I want to express my deepest gratitude for Ray Verrelle’s leadership of the Association for the past year. Many of the programs that I will get to shepherd along in the coming year grew out of ideas that Ray was able to foster into action, and I look forward to continuing to work with Ray as he assumes the duties of Past President. I hope that I can leave such a legacy for Jerry Specht, Asst. GM for the South S&C Operations, CPKC as he assumes his term as the AREMA Senior Vice President.
As I start this new role, I must reflect on the past year and my term as Senior Vice President. This role has two main focus areas: Lead the Functional Group Board of Directors and Chair the Program Committee for the 2024 Annual Conference & Expo that
just wrapped up in Louisville. I was also involved in the Strategic Planning Committee and the Educational Foundation Board. Each of these areas were active and exciting in their own way.
First, the 2024 Annual Conference & Expo represented the next step in an ongoing process to keep the Conference a meaningful event in the transfer of knowledge for and the professional development of the membership and attendees. For those that attended, there were some interesting changes in the format and schedule. First, I hope everyone found the technical presentations to be excellent in their respective areas. The program committee had over 200 submissions to choose from. This is a new record for submissions and is an indication of the value placed on being able to present at our conference.
This year, we flipped elements of the Monday and Wednesday General Sessions. Most notable was culminating the conference with Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney’s Keynote Address. We also shortened the Tuesday technical sessions to reduce overlap with the Expo hours. During the course of planning for this Conference, I was asked why the changes (or more accurately “what was I thinking?”). The answer is fairly simple: This is what the membership asked for. You may think the survey request during and after the Conference & Expo is just AREMA Headquarter’s way of checking the “we care” box, but the reality is far from that. The headquarters team diligently reviews all the survey results and where they see trends and actionable information, they work those items into future programs. So, if you have an opinion, let your voice be heard. In the interim, if you feel you missed out on professional development hours, all the presentations are available to Full Conference attendees in the Education Portal.
Second, in case you missed it at the Conference, we unveiled the updated AREMA Strategic Plan. The previous
plan was last updated in 2019. While it served its purpose at the time, it was essentially focused on who AREMA was. As such, it wasn’t really a plan for the future. This update to the Strategic Plan for 2025 corrects that shortcoming by establishing four pillars of AREMA: Knowledge Development; Industry Networking; Workforce Support; and Technical Expertise. Each of these areas are aligned with one underlying tenant: Creating member value. As a professional association, AREMA is nothing without our members. It is our members that have the technical knowledge upon which all the work of the association is built. Therefore, it is imperative that we provide the structure and opportunity that encourages our membership and supporters to share their knowledge and best practices for the betterment of the industry as a whole. Each of the pillars and their focus areas are intended to do that and will be our guide for the advancement of the association and its programs.
As we start this new program year, I believe that our strength lies in our collective expertise and our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the railway industry. We are at a pivotal moment where technology, innovation, and collaboration are more important than ever. By its very nature, the transportation of people and goods by rail is inherently efficient. However, we need to build upon the work of our predecessors and strive continually to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our infrastructure. That includes our most valuable resource: Our members, from the seasoned experts, to the emerging professionals who will lead our industry in the years to come. I am excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to serve as your President. Together, we can advance the mission of AREMA. Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.
INCOMING AREMA
President Bill Riehl Interview
AREMA: Why did you decide to choose a career in railway engineering?
BILL RIEHL: I didn’t. It chose me. I was in my practice senior year at Penn State (you know, taking five years to complete a four-year degree) and well into a structural engineering career path. At the time, Penn State had a Railroad Engineering class, and I took it in order to build a better model train layout. I was already working for the professor in the research lab. He saw my interest and moved me to his rail related projects and the hook was set.
AREMA: Outside of your job and the hard work you put into AREMA, what are your hobbies?
BILL RIEHL: In 2022 I retired from my almost 42-year career in the Air Force Reserves and nally got some free time in the schedule. Deborah and I use this
time to travel. Between motorcycle trips, RV trips and other travel, we stay gone as much as possible.
AREMA: If you could share one interesting fact about yourself with the readers of RT&S, what would it be?
BILL RIEHL: My military journey started when I was 17 and a junior in high school. My rst six years were as a Military Policeman in the Army Reserves. I followed that with another three years as a Heavy Equipment Operator in the Air Force Reserves before receiving a Direct Commission. ree months later, I was in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. During the ensuing 32 years, I held a number of positions including commanding at the Squadron and Group level both at home and contingency environments with my last deployment being to Iraq in 2010. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.
AREMA: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to pursue a career in the railway industry?
BILL RIEHL: Embrace the lifestyle. As with any career centered on infrastructure maintenance in a 24/7-365 environment, the days are long and the opportunities to work weekends and holidays abound; and that’s for the routine portion of the job. Problems never happen at 0800 on Monday morning. No, those phone calls always happen when you just get home for a long weekend and are reaching into the fridge for the rst beverage of the evening. But that is the lifestyle you have to embrace to keep your sanity. Anyone can work an o ce nine to ve job. Railroaders earn their pay when they roll up on a smoking hole in the right of way and gure out how to restore operations faster than anticipated and at a cost lower than expected. e satisfaction of pulling that o makes up for all of the long hours.
FYI
Skip the line in Louisville, KY, and register online now to save time upon your arrival for the AREMA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo, September 15-18. Your registration reserves your seat for the best education, speakers, networking events, Expo, and more, all in one event at www.conference. arema.org.
Discover the ultimate guide for railway engineering professionals in the 2024 Manual for Railway Engineering. With over 6,100 pages of essential practices and detailed specifications, this comprehensive resource offers everything needed to design and build efficient, safe, cost-effective railway systems. It is available in print or PDF formats for immediate use. Order online now at www.arema.org.
Did you know we offer a wide variety
2024 MEETINGS
OCTOBER 3
of on demand education for learning on your time? Browse our most popular webinars, seminars, and Annual Conferences to earn your PDH credits on the go. Visit www.arema.org to start your On Demand education today.
Download the AREMA 365 App for essential rail resources and networking opportunities . Easy access to news, events, and educational materials lets you stay informed and connected to the industry. Download it today by searching for AREMA in your phone’s app store.
Don’t miss out on the conversation in AREMA’s Member Forum. The Member Forum connects you with other Members, allowing you to send messages, start conversations, and more. See what everyone is talking about today: https:// community.arema.org/home.
If you’re looking for a podcast to binge, listen to AREMA’s Platform Chats. It features guests from every aspect of the railway industry. Catch up on all four seasons available on all your favorite listening services today.
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.
UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee 8 - Concrete Structures & Foundations Chicago, IL
OCTOBER 10
Committee 30 - Ties and Fasteners Henderson, NV
2025 MEETINGS
JANUARY 23-24
Committee 8 - Concrete Structures & Foundations
Las Vegas, NV
FEBRUARY 3-4
Committee 15 - Steel Structures
Fort Worth, TX
Join a technical committee
OCTOBER 16
Committee 34 - Scales Clearwater, FL OCTOBER 24-25
Committee 2 - Track Measurement and Assessment Systems San Francisco, CA
MAY 22-23
Committee 8 - Concrete Structures & Foundations Tucson, AZ
Joining a technical committee is the starting point for involvement in the Association and an opportunity for lifelong growth in the industry. AREMA has 30 technical committees covering a broad spectrum of railway engineering specialties. Build your network of contacts, sharpen your leadership skills, learn from other members and maximize your membership investment. If you’re interested in joining a technical committee or sitting in on a meeting as a guest, please contact Alayne Bell at abell@arema.org. For a complete list of all committee meetings, visit www.arema.org.
Outgoing President Interview
RAY VERRELLE
AREMA President 2023-2024
AREMA: How did your day job prepare you for your role as AREMA President?
VERRELLE: My progression through AREMA over the past 17 years has mirrored my progression in my career. As leadership opportunities were presented to me from both sides, they helped develop my leadership qualities and characteristics equally. My day job also includes dealing with engineers with diverse backgrounds, so that helped when interacting with all the functional groups and the various specialties that lie within those groups.
AREMA: What are your thoughts on the past year as president of AREMA?
VERRELLE: Where did all the time go? I have never had an entire year pass by so quickly. Just as I am getting comfortable in this role, I will be transitioning into my new role as Past President. It was a great experience to work so closely with the AREMA sta . I gained a much greater appreciation for all the hard work they put into the organization.
AREMA: Have you reached all the goals you set? Was there anything you wanted to do that you did not get around to or could not do?
VERRELLE: My goals at the onset were to continue initiatives put forth by Past Presidents Freeman and Hudak and to see how many I could help bring across the finish line. One of my personal goals was to focus on member value and AREMA’s educational offerings. I believe
we accomplished most of what I set out to do this year. I would have liked to devote more time in the educational offerings space. However, that will be a nice project to focus on as Past President.
AREMA: What did you accomplish during your term in o ce? What are you most proud of having accomplished?
VERRELLE: First, I would not have accomplished anything if it were not for the support and dedication of AREMA sta , Past President Trent Hudak, Senior Vice President Bill Riehl, and the rest of AREMA leadership. Some more notable accomplishments were completion of sound nancial and strategic plans, getting work started on database and website improvements, and delivering the rst ever Sustainability and Resiliency Symposium (with special thanks to Trent and Committee 13- Environmental). I’m most proud of being able to award our volunteer leadership complimentary access to all our online educational materials as a token of appreciation for all their dedication and hard work.
AREMA: Where do you see the organization going from here? Five Years from now?
VERRELLE: Ten years from now? I see nothing but good things in AREMA’s future. We have a Leadership Team that is progressive and has the vision and strategy to grow the organization, provide high membership value and appeal to the next generation of railroaders. In the next ve years, you will see regularly scheduled annual symposiums for a variety of Railroad Engineering and Maintenance topics which will continue to add membership value and drive growth. Ten years may be a little far out for my crystal ball, but seeing the future leaders in our committees, I envision nothing but continued success.
AREMA: What do you see in the future for AREMA? What do you think AREMA needs to do in the future to succeed?
VERRELLE: I see growth and opportunity in AREMA’s future. To succeed AREMA should continue focus on driving member value and educational excellence. AREMA should continue to engage the next generation of railroaders, nd out what is important to them and mold the organization accordingly.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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Access to important professional development content is just a few clicks away with AREMA Education. Our On Demand content spans many disciplines of PDH accredited courses that allow you to get your PDHs by learning from experts online without leaving your office.
BENEFITS OF LEARNING ONLINE
1. LEARN MORE
Studies show that participants learn more while taking On Demand courses as you can skim through the material you understand and take more time in the more challenging areas.
2. GET INSTANT ACCESS
With AREMA On Demand courses, you don’t have to wait to learn and get your PDH’s as they’re available instantly after purchase.
3. CONVENIENT AND FLEXIBLE
Above all things, On Demand education is meant to take at your own pace and on your time. Study from anywhere in the world, whether from your office or the convenience of your sofa.
4. COURSE VARIETY
AREMA On Demand education offers a wide variety of topics for all studies of the railway engineering community.
Register and Start Learning today at www.arema.org.
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AILWAY GE
W OMEN IN RAIL
Nov. 5 & 6, 2024 Chicago, IL
CONNECT. INSPIRE. INNOVATE.
We’re returning to Chicago with an expanded event!
Railway Age and RT&S are proud to recognize the growth in leadership roles for women in the railway industry. Our second annual Women in Rail Conference is now a two-day event, filled with instructive panels, an awards luncheon, and a local transit tour.
Join a diverse group of railroaders with a shared commitment to our industry’s future.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
•Furthering industry inclusivity and showing allyship
•Advancing your career—from asking for a raise to developing new skills
•Understanding the latest regulatory and legislative happenings
•New tech innovations and the latest applications
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
•How mentorship can change your journey
•Building a safety culture
•Railway Age’s Women in Rail / RT&S’ Women in Railroad Engineering awards luncheon
•Tour of Metra’s rebuild shop and training center
Michelle Bouchard
2024 VENDOR SHOWCASE
A
Miner Enterprises
By Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
For over 40 years, Miner Enterprises has been providing reliable and advanced MOW rapid discharge solutions with its AggreGate® line of ballast outlet gates, control systems and accessories. Miner AggreGate systems are suitable for both retro t and new car eets. Its newest model, the solar-powered stand-alone electric AggreGate, is revolutionizing how railroads are bringing more e ciency and exibility to their MoW operations. Bringing solar power to each railcar enables independent operation of every car within the ballast train and eliminates the need for grouping manual and automatic cars. e remote control system, with push button override, enables individual car and gate selection. Operators can ballast inside and/ or outside of the rail simultaneously. e dual cylinder air-powered AggreGate is also available in either push button or remote-control operation. e operator can select a speci c car and gate as well as control ballast ow, ensuring more accurate ballast discharge from distances as great as 300 feet. e manual AggreGate is available with transition sheets designed to enable new or retro t application to any open top hopper car. It features a three-position handle for easy opening and closing of doors. Spring tension holds the large, guillotine door in position at any opening for controlled ow of ballast. More than 7200 carsets of Miner AggreGates have been sold into service since it rst received A.A.R. certi cation.
smorgasbord of the latest and greatest from the rail supplier industry
KRR o ers sustainable and environmental solutions for the collection, processing, and disposition of used wooden creosoted railroad ties for use as a supplemental fuel source. e end-of-life ties are recycled for energy recovery in power boilers as an alternative fuel source. KRR o ers tie recycling solutions in compliance with EPA’s Non-Hazardous Secondary Material (NHSM) rule that indirectly a ects its customers regarding their tie collection and disposition concerns. Its operations are in compliance with all safety, OHSA, EPA, FRA, State, and local regulations, managed by its Environmental and Zero Harm Safety departments. Its full-service solution to the collection, processing, and disposition of the ties includes the management of railcar utilization that maximizes e ciency and productivity gains through quicker car placement, rapid car loading of the ties, and railcar monitoring from the eld to its tie processing locations. is allows for signi cant cost savings to its customers with reduced car turn ratios and the overall reduction in cars needed in the network to perform the maintenance of way tasks. Its competitive advantage in the industry is the overall approach it has to the business. Koppers says, “We’re proud to o er real time data analysis, railcar logistics management, and superior performance in operations.”
Railroads around the world rely on tamping machines to maintain track geometry, which is crucial for safe and sustainable operations. ese machines are versatile, capable of adjusting to various infrastructure needs, whether they involve heavy-haul or high-speed rail. As a result, operators of tamping machines face the challenge of managing di erent work units and settings to meet these diverse requirements. With increasing demands on the rail system, the need for advanced track maintenance equipment has grown. is need is further intensi ed by a shortage of skilled labor, making the automation of track maintenance essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of railway assets. Modern tamping machines leverage sensors and advanced technologies, such as arti cial intelligence and neural networks, to create a digital twin of the current track or turnout. is digital replica is developed without the need for a separate pre-measuring run, enabling the machines to automatically detect obstacles on the track. e smart tamping machine then autonomously controls the various work units based on the digital model, while the operator oversees the process, approving the machine’s nal actions. is assistance system guarantees consistently high tamping quality, thus improving the usability and operational e ciency of the machines. In the United States, the implementation of this cutting-edge technology is underway, with Plasser American’s 09-2X DYNACAT tamping machine now featuring the Tamping Assistant. is system not only enhances e ciency but also addresses challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers and increasing demands for rail capacity, thus supporting the broader goals of improving track maintenance and safety in the rail industry.
Kawasaki Rail CarTrack Technologies
Kawasaki’s latest developing product is an autonomous track component monitoring system. is technology, installed on a locomotive, will capture high resolution pictures and provide the necessary data for Kawasaki to utilize machine learning algorithms to identify track fasteners and other track components that need to be inspected and repaired. A er successful testing with railroads in Japan during 2022, testing began with freight railroads in North America in 2023. Production systems are now available for installation on locomotives. Along with the track component monitoring system and Kawasaki’s locomotive mounted autonomous track geometry monitoring system in production since 2021 with the innovative graphical user interface to provide intuitive view of track condition with geographical view, Kawasaki is also developing a so ware platform designed to make track inspection and repair safer and more e cient. Kawasaki is excited to bring locomotive mounted autonomous inspection technology to the North American marketplace. With this innovative technology, any time the locomotive is moving and pulling passengers or freight, it is testing track and providing a frequent, valuable, coste cient service to its customers. is is another building block for Kawasaki’s vision of providing a complete suite of autonomous track inspection products along with predictive data modeling and platform to provide its customers the ability to be safer and more e cient with their track maintenance spend.
Trak-Star / Hougen Manufacturing, Inc.
Trak-Star/Hougen Manufacturing, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialized tools and equipment for railroad maintenance of way. Trak-Star’s product line includes rail drills available in both gas and hydraulic power feed options, capable of producing holes in under 20 seconds. Its Twister Bits, annular cutters designed for rail drilling, are engineered to deliver faster, cleaner holes with signi cantly less heat generation. ese bits are available in sizes up to 1-11/16” and come in two distinct styles: High-Speed Steel (HSS) and carbide tipped. In addition to drills, Trak-Star o ers gas or hydraulic-powered rail saws for ecient rail cutting. Complementing its powered tools, Trak-Star provides a range of accessories designed to enhance crew productivity, including sockets, carbide chucks, storage boxes, templates, and coolant. Beyond just selling products, TrakStar prides itself on its comprehensive service and support. Its team of traveling technical support sales representatives and knowledgeable customer service sta ensures that customers receive the assistance they need whenever required. Trak-Star is committed to standing behind every product it sells and providing reliable solutions for the railroad industry.
DavRail Inc.
DavRail Inc. provides cutting-edge equipment and technology solutions for the North and South American markets. DavRail Inc. says, “We are experts in Maintenance of Way equipment, blending engineering knowledge with hands-on experience to deliver optimal solutions. By partnering with innovative international manufacturers, we aim to enhance operational efficiency and bring American practices in line with global standards. Our engineering background enables us to identify and introduce new tools and technologies from abroad to address common industry challenges domestically.” This approach empowers its clients to explore creative applications and maximize the potential of each product, leading to significant growth opportunities. Its new equipment often sparks a snowball effect, as customers discover diverse use cases that extend beyond initial expectations. This versatility not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives industry advancement by inspiring new methodologies and solutions. As a result, its clients benefit from increased safety, productivity, and competitiveness, while it witnesses the transformative impact of these innovations across various sectors.
Unipart Rail
Unipart Rail is addressing the challenges faced by the global rail industry by delivering a unique range of transformative solutions for construction, maintenance, and renewal projects, which are redefining industry standards and elevating operational efficiencies across the global rail market. The new range of Construction, Maintenance, and Renewal machines, delivered in partnership with Thomson Engineering Design Ltd, are set to revolutionize the rail industry by overcoming the limitations of traditional high-output methods and delivering high performance, safety and efficiency, whilst substantially reducing costs. Included in the range is the Sleeper/Tie Layer, capable of delivering up to 1000 ties per hour, with features including automatic steering and remote condition monitoring; the versatile Rail Handler, which offers a variety of applications for installing, removing and transposing rails; and the Rail Clipper, a self-propelled road-rail clipping machine. These versatile machines are designed to substantially reduce investment and operational costs and its advanced technology automates repetitive tasks, ensuring precision and rapid deployment and reducing the risk of accidents. This new range signifies a leap forward in rail infrastructure management, setting new industry standards and addressing the urgent need for efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions.
Photo Credit: Unipart Rail
Unipart Rail
LORAM MAINTENANCE OF WAY
To support its corporate sustainability efforts, Loram partnered with Linsinger to offer the LM1 rail miller. For spot treatment during tight working windows, Loram’s rail milling solution is a cost effective and environmentally friendly way to extend the life of rail, crossings, and switches. This is the newest solution for reprofiling rail when heavy correction is needed. It can restore the intended profile of the rail while removing all surface defects. The milling technology makes it possible to remove up to 1 mm in a single working pass. This helps extend the surface life of the rail, significantly reducing costs and carbon footprint and improving safety on railways. The rail milling processing is ‘dry’, meaning no cooling water or fluid is needed while operating. Only milling chips are produced and very few sparks and dust are generated by the polishing process which makes this the best option for areas that are highly sensitive to dust and fire. Rail grinding and milling play a vital role in maintaining rail infrastructure, enhancing rail safety, and minimizing disruptions. Loram’s grinding and milling programs contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of rail transportation and are the cornerstone of virtually every railroad maintenance program.
ENSCO Rail
ENSCO Rail, a global leader in rail inspection technology, offers cutting-edge solutions to address rail flaw testing. Its Ultrasonic Rail Flaw System (URFS) is a reliable and efficient tool for precise rail inspection, ensuring railroads maintain high safety standards. Integrated with vision inspection and thermal imaging, URFS provides a comprehensive track assessment, empowering maintenance teams to make informed decisions. ENSCO’s 24/7 support ensures critical inspections are backed by expert assistance whenever needed. Its commitment to innovation is evident in the integration of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into URFS, enhancing accuracy while reducing costs. URFS is typically mounted on Hi-Rail and rail-bound vehicles, detecting safety risks to prevent derailments. Despite the industry shift to continuous testing, ultrasonic rail flaw inspections remain essential. URFS adds value by minimizing false stops, improving true-positive detection, and boosting productivity through automation. When paired with ENSCO’s machine vision solutions, such as Rail Surface Imaging, URFS enhances rail integrity assessments, allowing operators to evaluate rails without stepping onto the track. URFS is critical for maintaining rail safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
L.B. Foster
L.B. Foster adopts and deploys the latest technological advances to improve safety and reduce accidents by automating processes, reducing human error and trackside maintenance, and providing real-time monitoring and alerts. Its Friction Management (FM) portfolio supports railroads looking to maximize the value of their FM programs, in terms of reducing fuel usage, reducing GHG emissions, and extending rail life. A well-run FM program can improve safety by reducing the state of stress acting on track infrastructure, reducing derailment potentials, and reducing track access requirements. It has recently introduced new trackside applicator bars, expanded its remote performance monitoring product line, and continues to lead the industry with its consumable product portfolio. Its Total Track Monitoring portfolio was created to drive e ciencies, coste ectiveness, and enable rail safety for freight, transit, and industrial customers. e WILD IV system remotely monitors rail vehicle wheel health to ensure safe and productive train operations. It allows users to detect wheel defects, reduce the likelihood of wheel and load related derailments, avoid costly transfer penalties, extend wheelset lifespan, and enhance maintenance and operational e ciency. Rockfall Monitoring uses LiDAR technology to scan above the track for rocks and obstacles that pose a risk to trains. If a rock or obstacle of critical size is detected on track, a relay is dropped, and controllers are remotely alerted about the size and location of the obstruction. Its Flood Monitoring is a 24/7 wireless inspection system that detects high water levels in ood-prone areas. L.B. Foster says, “We are universally committed to enabling safety and believe that by placing safety rst, we can build trust and con dence in our business and contribute to a safer world.”
Custom Truck One Source
Custom Truck One Source is a provider of specialized equipment and services tailored for the railroad industry. It o ers a comprehensive range of products designed to enhance the e ciency, safety, and reliability of rail operations. It delivers an array of solutions, including high-performance railroad equipment, track maintenance machines, and cutting-edge safety equipment. Its product lineup features state-ofthe-art rail cranes, rail trucks, and Hi-Rail vehicles, engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern rail infrastructure.
Custom Truck One Source also provides customized solutions, ensuring that the equipment aligns with speci c operational needs and industry standards. Custom Truck One Source says, “We pride ourselves on delivering not only superior products but also exceptional support services, including parts, maintenance, and repair. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, we strive to empower rail operators with the tools they need to maintain and expand their networks e ciently.”
RailPros
Running a rail operation comes with unique challenges, and its team of experts is here to help. RailPros has expertise in every area of rail, specializing in strategic planning, passenger rail operations, market analysis, engineering, infrastructure inspection and assessment, training, and risk management. RailPros says, “Every day, we design, manage construction, and lead projects on operating passenger and freight rail carriers safely and without impact to existing rail service. Our team of experts and engineers also stays at the top of the field through active involvement in rail industry professional organizations.” RailPros is also an active participant in developing the railroad industry’s railway engineering standards and best practices, so customers can trust that its understanding of the railroad industry is always on the cutting edge. Its strategic consulting practice includes: Rules, Procedures, and Standards, Regulatory Compliance, Industrial Railroad Training, Market Analysis and Research, Financial and Budget Analysis, Performance Monitoring and KPI Development, Infrastructure Assessment, Planning, Capacity Building, Operational Efficiencies, and Service Advisory Interruption.
RailPros
Custom Truck One Source
Photo
NxGen
NxGen is introducing two exciting new products for railway track inspection this fall:
Plug and Play Ground Penetrating Radar is a novel concept where GPR equipment has been packaged so that it can be installed on any Hi-Rail with a tow hitch in about 15 minutes. Plugged into a laptop it is ready for immediate use by any operator. All the operator has to do is open a program and press GO, and it will automatically record all the track that is needed. No special operators, geophysicists, or trained personnel are required. is substantially reduces the cost of gathering GPR data. Special AI-driven processing algorithms allow the data to be converted into a format that can be used to generate maintenance plans for undercutting, shoulder cleaning or drainage work, focusing on where the track bed needs the most attention. Leakage Current Life Check is a completely new product that monitors track circuit health from a moving inspection car. It can be installed on any railbound inspection vehicle and detects underperforming joints and defective insulated joints. e product is used to stop leaky or damaged track circuits from causing signal failures. ese failures lead to train delays and signi cant associated costs. It is also available on NxGen’s own track inspection car.
Vancer
Vancer has proudly served the rail industry with custom solutions for over 40 years, helping railroads of all classes and railroad contractors meet their objectives safely and efficiently by designing, engineering, and building innovative rail maintenance of way equipment. Vancer Hi-Rail Excavators, Backhoes, Wheel Loaders, & Tie-Cranes paired with a wide variety of attachments including Vancer’s Ballast Cribbers, Cold Air Blowers, Culvert Cleaners, Tie Placers, Winch systems, and Ballast, Rail, & Tow Carts are customized to handle your Maintenance of Way Needs. The CHX08 Hi-Rail Mini Excavator is compact in design and light in weight that allows for it to easily be mobilized from one jobsite to another. With a net 70 hp and no DEF, powerful lift capacity & precise tool control, the CHX08 can be considered the ideal machine for jobs in tight/small work areas. Equipped with a tilt-rotator and a wide range of attachments, this Hi-Rail Mini Excavator becomes an extremely versatile machine that will work on and off rail. Vancer says, “Backed by our nationwide field and shop service with experienced and certified technicians, Vancer is here to support you and your jobs from start to finish.”
Vancer
NxGen
Holland
Holland is proud to show its rst battery-operated welder. e Hybrid Welder™ provides a more sustainable ash-butt welding solution and can perform approximately 20 to 25 welds with a prototype battery system. is truck reduces noise and decreases fuel consumption and emissions, giving welding operations cleaner and more consistent power. It also complies with evolving emission standards while avoiding equipment downtime associated with new and more stringent emission requirements for traditional diesel-powered generators. e Hybrid Welder completed AREMA testing on several rail types by various manufacturers and received the same or better weld quality conformance rate as a traditional Holland MobileWelder®. In the future, Holland’s “Version 2” Hybrid Welder will allow for faster charging, enabling the unit to do 40-45 welds per shi easily. Learn more about the history of ash-butt welding and how the Hybrid Welder can be a more sustainable ash-butt welding solution for your railways at AREMA in booth 800.
PortaCo
As part of the Goldschmidt Group, PortaCo Goldschmidt is proud to o er the complete range of hydraulic tools and power units for the Railroad industry. PortaCo is particularly proud of the tools it manufactures to support the ermit® welding process. Leveraging the knowledge and expertise of the Goldschmidt group’s global experts in ermit® welding, PortaCo is focused on how to continuously improve its products to drive e ciency as well as supporting the needs of its customers. With a focus on continuous improvement, PortaCo has been working closely with many customers including several Class 1 Railroads to enhance their tools to meet the requirements of working on the railroad. A number of subtle updates to the tools have improved their performance, ergonomics and the results have been well received by all customers who have used them. ese updated tools include pro le grinders – both heavy and lightweight based on the user preference, weld shear, rail notcher, and rail puller all complement its suite of proven maintenance of way tools. With its local supply chain and tools that are proudly made in America, it o ers an unmatched level of support to its customers.
Photo Credit: (Top) Holland, (Bottom) PortaCo
Orgo-Thermit®
Orgo- ermit® says, “We proudly manufacture both our molds and our ermit® at our facility in New Jersey which makes us fully compliant with all Buy America requirements. Our innovations include our patented Safe Start Crucible, eliminating the need for ignitors which makes the welding process safer.” Its ermit® 2.0 portion is the only ermit® portion speci cally developed to work with head hardened rail. e Railstraight Dual is used to measure both the running surface and the gauge face of a weld and has been used on many projects in North America to guarantee the nished quality of the weld. At the AREMA 2024 exhibition, it is excited to reveal new products to support the ermit® welding process which was developed and has undergone signi cant testing with its customers. With its Technical Sales and Services Representatives based in Canada, America and Mexico, it can provide support to its customers in all of their ermit® welding needs.
RELAM
Railway Equipment Leasing and Maintenance (RELAM) Inc. is centrally located with three main facilities serving the U.S. and Canada and o ers quality maintenance-of-way equipment. RELAM provides railway equipment for short- or longterm leasing, including rail/ tie replacement and surfacing equipment, vegetation machines, railcar movers, excavators, and more. No o -the-shelf solutions, no standardized approaches. RELAM says, “Tell us the equipment you want and let us do the rest. Our professionals will develop customized, knowledge-based solutions to t your current and future needs.”
Progress Rail
Progress Rail covers the complete value chain for railroad infrastructure, including specialty trackwork, rail and other track material (OTM), fasteners, signals, engineering and more.
e Caterpillar company o ers a full line of trackwork and fasteners for heavy haul and transit railways and is a leading manufacturer of specialty trackwork in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia.
With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located strategically around the globe, Progress Rail produces the highest quality trackwork and fasteners, with 100-plus years of experience in the design and manufacture of cast manganese crossings.
Deep expertise in rail services and remanufacturing capabilities enable Progress Rail to provide quality trackwork to customer speci cations. Additionally, Progress Rail is a resource for turnkey signaling and communications project management and works with various railroads on all aspects of their signal design requirements.
Progress Rail told , “ e company’s highly specialized focus on track structure and maintenance has enabled it to become the largest supplier of infrastructure products and services in the United States, with growing international exposure.”
Omni Products
Grade crossing improvements keep Omni Products busy working with many industries in the U.S. and Canada. A varied product line lends itself to many applications enabling engineers to specify one of Omni’s products into any project, whether it be custom or a ready-toship concrete ECR panel in manufacturing facilities in Ill., N.C., and Texas. Omni Products include an in-house manufactured 100% virgin rubber utilized in our concrete design panels, Tracast 1/Tracast 2 tub modules, VRA railguard products, and Omni’s HDR full-depth rubber panels with steel reinforced rubble panels for extreme applications. Omni offers a no-tear guarantee on its manufactured virgin rubber products, with a 6-year limited factory warranty from date of installation. Omni Products is working on future products that will be game-changers. Omni Products and its engineering staff recognize the importance of a design to prevent axle weights and direct stresses of heavy/high ADT to come into contact with the head of the rail and is why it designed improved concrete (IC) grade crossing panels and VRA railguard design related products. Common standard or curve panels, concrete panels for turnouts, ADA compliant pedestrian crossings; Omni Products has a solution for most applications. Buy America = Omni Products.
Photo Credit: Omni Products
ZTR
NEXSYS III-i – Advanced Locomotive Control System by ZTR is an advanced control system built to improve traction, fuel e ciency and reliability of locomotives. e microprocessor powered system incorporates the latest technologies, o ers advanced control options, and delivers performance improvements that extend the life of locomotives signi cantly.
Locomotives with NEXSYS III-i control system have demonstrated improved adhesion by up to 44% on dry rails and up to 29% on wet rails. e system comes integrated with ZTR’s SmartStart Automatic Engine Stop-Start (AESS) system, enabling savings of up to 8000 gallons of fuel per locomotive every year. NEXSYS III-i seamlessly integrates with the existing on-board network and business systems providing remote connectivity for real-time information about locomotive health, performance, location, and diagnostics. e advanced control system provides comprehensive insights about fuel consumption, emissions, utilization, propulsion, and starting performance along with enabling remote monitoring and troubleshooting. Featuring an intuitive Human-Machine Interface (HMI) display, NEXSYS III-i empowers operators with real time information of locomotive parameters, control functions, and system troubleshooting. Beyond the standard applications, the system o ers customization and exibility to work with advanced applications, and varied components. e diagnostics and insights from the advanced control system save time and money in maintenance planning, performance reporting, remote troubleshooting, and remarkably improve operational e ciency. NEXSYS III-i is an upgrade from obsolete locomotive controllers to the latest technology, backed by ZTR’s technical expertise and acclaimed 24x7 customer support.
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