Month: January 2022

4 Common Defects in Bad-Ordered Cars

01/11/2022

Railroad cars are, essentially, mechanical devices, and they can break. That is why there are frequent inspections for railcar defects and why placing certain cars in “bad order” status is essential for ensuring the efficiency and the safety of the North American rail network. It’s worth knowing what some of the most frequent defects behind bad-order railcars are and what railcar repair companies in Pennsylvania, like Curry Rail Services deal with on a regular basis.

What are bad-ordered cars?

Generally, a bad-order railcar has one or more defects and requires immediate attention before the car can be used again in revenue service. Rail cars are inspected multiple times throughout a single shipment, both by on-the-ground inspectors and by automated devices. These inspections can report on wheel and flange profile, train line and break issues, outlet and door hardware, and more.

Typically, when defects are found the technicians remove the car from the train and set it out to a RIP track. This can often lead to costly repairs and fees for railcar owners and lessees who don’t address the issues in a timely manner and have the rail car shipped to a repair facility. Bad-ordered rail cars can delay shipments and disrupt the shipper’s supply chain.

What are common defects in bad-order cars?

What are common defects in bad-order carsDefects occur for various reasons – from component issues to regular wear and tear. Here are some of the most common defects that can bad-order any rail car.

  • Broken train line: This issue involves the breakage of the railcar air line, making the braking system inoperable. The in-train crew can often diagnose this problem, making it easier for the repair professionals to resolve the issue.
  • Faulty coupler: Another common reason behind bad orders is the need for repairing the coupler. Sometimes, it’s only necessary to replace the coupler knuckle, while at other times you have to replace the entire coupler. Couplers see the most wear and tear during operations, making them a frequent issue with railcars.
  • Problems with draft gear: Draft gear is hidden from sight behind the coupler and serves to absorb the shocks as cars get blocked for movement. As we know, couplers see frequent use, and so does draft gear, making failures part of use.
  • Wheel issues: Finally, wheels are also a common source of problems with railcars. They can develop flat spots on the surface, and the flange can stop meeting width requirements by the AAR. Wheel repairs and replacements are typically fast and require little downtime.

What is the biggest problem defective cars cause?

Different mechanical faults with railcars can cause a wide range of problems that hamper transportation and reduce efficiency. However, the single most important issue that arises from bad-order cars is derailment.

Derailments come in different shapes and range from simple situations where wheels come off to complete derailments and events where entire railroad cars overturn and cause massive damage and pose a huge safety risk for individuals operating the railroad cars, homeowners in the area, and individuals finding themselves in the vicinity of the derailment.

Who are the leaders among railcar repair companies in Pennsylvania?

What is the biggest problem defective cars causeBad-ordered railcars can be dangerous if issues are not resolved. That’s where you can count on Curry Rail Services. We are your go-to company for handling bad-ordered rail cars. We have AAR M-1003 and M-1002 certificates for tank and railcar repair, and the AAR S-2034 certification for production of new rail cars.

We also specialize in engineering and manufacturing cab weldments, engine hoods, underframes, snow plows, fuel tanks, and other equipment, accessories, and parts. We offer nationwide support to all our customers from our repair facility located in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

Contact us  today and tell us what you need us to do.

AAR Inspections: All You Need to Know

01/04/2022

AAR inspections are an important part of our safe and efficient freight rail transportation network. This is an industry-specific certification based on the M-1003 specification of the Association of American Railroads. It includes clauses on the proper testing, document control, inspection, production, and management of all railcar repair facilities.

This certification ensures that the program of quality assurance for railroad contractors is uniform and applicable across the landscape of the industry. It also refers to all the parts of the process, including storing, packaging, stocking, identification, procurement, and manufacturing of all necessary materials.

All Pennsylvania’s railroad repair shops fulfill the stringent requirements of this association. That is why they have to undergo stringent inspections procedures.

What is an AAR inspection?

The Association of American Railroads, (AAR) is an organization focused on maintaining the fast and efficient operations across all freight railroads in the United States. However, safety is also a top concern for this group, which led them to create a set of precise standards and guidelines for freight car manufacturers and operators.

These guidelines are all gathered under the inspection procedure of the AAR. Their inspection serves as the vital process designed for ensuring that railcars, different components, and manufacturing facilities fulfill the requirements of supplying the North American Railroads, including the countries of Canada, USA, and Mexico.

Essentially, the AAR inspection ensures that both the railroad equipment and the facilities it’s manufactured in abide by the necessary rules and regulations. This way, The Association of American Railroads does its part in making sure the railroads keep operating not only efficiently, but with a high degree of safety as well.

What does an AAR inspection consist of?

In order to maintain and improve its safety and efficiency, the AAR has implemented a detailed inspection system that ensures cars and manufacturers meet the necessary standards.

Pennsylvania railroad repair shop

In order to successfully pass the inspection process, the AAR Committee Manager has to establish the following:

  • The facility meets all the requirements of the AAR.
  • The company has obtained and reviewed the current AAR Publications and is capable of supplying the adequate documentation.
  • The party has submitted a complete application. The review process takes approximately 4 to 10 weeks.
  • The testing of all major components is successful due to compliance with AAR standards.
  • The comprehensive Quality Assurance Inspection is carried out and the facility receives approval from the AAR Quality Assurance Committee Manager. This is the M-1003 certification and the process for it includes:
    • Completing an application
    • Sending a copy of the QA manual to the AAR-Accredited Auditor.
    • Undergoing a complete facility audit by the Auditor and paying the audit fees.
    • Successfully responding to potential noncompliance as pointed out by the Auditor.
    • Passing the QA Committee’s process for approval after the Auditor supplies them with all the necessary audit documentation.

Maintaining the M-1003 certification requires the facility to undergo yearly evaluations.

  • Once the facility obtains QA Approval and all other necessary documentation, the AAR inspection is successfully completed.

Which Pennsylvania’s AAR-certified railroad repair shop should I partner with?

What does an AAR inspection consist ofIf you’re looking for an AAR-certified railcar repair facility to repair your defective railcars, you need Curry Rail Services. We are adept at railcar repair, tank car repair, as well as manufacturing new and custom railcars. We possess AAR M-1002 and M-1003 certification for railcar and tank car repairs, as well as the AAR S-2034 certification for new-car production.

What’s more, we manufacture and engineer cab weldments, fuel tanks, snow plows, underframes, engine hoods, as other parts, equipment and accessories. We serve our customers nationwide from our repair and manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, near Horseshoe Curve. Our employees are skilled and experienced, and we use cutting-edge equipment. Reach out to us today to discuss your railcar repair needs!

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