By Stan Pitchko
August 5, 2024
Meeting the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety standards at a facility is not and should not be a celebration of high-end maintenance and/or the exceptional condition of railroad tracks. FRA safety standards are a minimum obligation in track requirements. Tracks must have an appropriate amount of ballast to be properly supported. Rotting ties should be replaced and correctly spaced to ensure the railroad track has a sound base. And the plates and spikes that secure and space track, holding it securely in place must provide a permanent distance between the rails (called the gage). Any one of the above deviations from FRA standards will lead to catastrophic damage, loss of productivity and in a worst-case scenario, death. Periodic inspections whether it be bi-weekly, monthly, semi-annually or even yearly will identify maintenance issues that need to be addressed quickly as well as aid in planning out maintenance over a period.
Unfortunately, as of late, it seems businesses have been waiting until their railroad track is taken out of service or suffer a derailment before a railroad contractor is engaged to do the necessary repairs. This year, Northern Rail Services (NRS) has witnessed more derailments than those in previous years. Although one might believe it’s good for our business it is also a distraction to the real needs of the railway and industry. When it comes to the railroad, a penny saved is not a penny earned!
Safety is the number 1 priority for Northern Rail Services. All tracks need to be inspected routinely, weakened and/or damaged tracks lead to unsafe conditions lending themselves to accidents or derailments. Tracks closed to deliveries trigger undue stress on operations such as delays in moving goods and services, ultimately causing a business to lose valuable time, profits and not to mention creating costly repairs, which could be avoided.
NRS offers inspection services, preventative maintenance, multi-year plan development, budget analysis and project phasing, ensuring your tracks are safe and reliable to avoid the complexities of major reconstruction. Northern Rail Services provides consultation and track inspection services to help clients in safeguarding smooth business operations. Our goal is to be a partner with you and your business to ensure your track remains safe and reliable, identifying rail issues before they become costly endeavors, and to defend your business against shutdowns by Federal Railroad Administration track inspectors.
Call us today to schedule a consultation and track inspection before it turns into an costly emergency! Call 413-363-1394 or visit our website at www.northernrailservices.com to schedule a date and time.