Tag: Railcar Movers

Dray Drivers Impacted by ELD Regulations Boosting Rail Use

Dray Drivers Impacted by ELD Regulations Boosting Rail Use
Dray Drivers Impacted by ELD Regulations Boosting Rail Use

Dray drivers are feeling the pinch of the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, just as truckers grapple with the same. We may even see dray drivers plot a career switch to OTR trucking, causing labor shortages and a spike in drayage costs. Railcar movers look more attractive than ever to help meet the demands of the intermodal supply chain.

As the ELD mandate proves a stumbling block for trucking, the market shifts more toward intermodal. That increases the demand for drayage, but many dray drivers are restricted by ELD rules, which only exempt those who log fewer than 100 air-miles daily. Plenty of drivers move longer distances depending on geography and work loads.

In short, we have fewer dray drivers and drayage is getting busier. The strong market for intermodal leaves many railway fleet managers looking for ways to reduce the workload and increase productivity—which railcar movers can help accomplish.

The Impact of ELD Regulations on Rail Use

Many factors come into play besides the electronic logging, not the least of which is the rise of e-commerce and its effects on rail industry trends.

However, the solutions will have to come from the ground floor up. As industry insiders recently told DC Velocity, “the big will get bigger” and small firms will fight to compete. “Timely and efficient operations” hold the key to success.

DJ Products railcar movers move up to 200,000 pounds at up to 3 mph in forward or reverse. Battery-powered, free of local emissions, and easy for most anyone to use, the equipment even has a versatile coupler to fit all rail cars.

If you need to make drayage more efficient, with fewer employees and better maneuvering in tight spaces, visit DJ Products and request a demo.

Alaska’s Governor Sets Up Task Force to Evaluate Enhanced Rail Usage

Alaskan Weather Can Be Cold and Brutal. Minimize the Time and Labor your Employees Spend Outside with a Railcar Mover.
Alaskan Weather Can Be Cold and Brutal. Minimize the Time and Labor your Employees Spend Outside with a Railcar Mover.

Alaska Governor Bill Walker has good reasons for establishing a task force to analyze the possible benefits of a commuter rail service that would connect Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Commuter rail lines reduce pollution and traffic congestion. Cities with commuter rail stations often see economic growth, new businesses, and new jobs. DJ Products helps rail yards operate more efficiently with solutions like our railcar movers. They allow one person to move up to 200,000 pounds simply and safely.

Alaska Commuter Rail Advisory Task Force

According to Railway Age, initial findings of the task force are due to Governor Walker by May 31, 2018. The task force is made up of several mayors and some transportation experts. The commuter rail would connect the two largest population centers in The Land of the Midnight Sun.

The initial costs of commuter rails often lead many to oppose their construction. However, commuter rails are less costly to maintain than highways. Commuter rails decrease traffic congestion, while adding additional highway lanes does not. The sole transportation link that currently connects the two Alaska communities has a daily average of 50,000 drivers.

Other benefits of commuter rail lines

Commuter rails consume less energy per passenger mile than automobiles and it saves time and money for passengers. Both commercial and residential property values typically increase with the introduction of new commuter rail service to communities. In addition to the economic benefits, rail lines are less harmful to the environment than large highways.

Our battery-powered railcar movers are also energy-efficient and economically beneficial. They reduce workplace injuries and workers comp claims. By allowing one person to smoothly move large rail cars, they maximize manpower. Contact DJ Products for more information and a demo.

Weekly Rail Freight Traffic Increases – a Growing Trend

Weekly Rail Freight Traffic Increases - a Growing Trend
Weekly Rail Freight Traffic Increases – a Growing Trend

Freight traffic in the U.S. is expected to end 2017 on an upward trend. Railroads moved 463,602 carloads during the week ending November 25. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports that was a 2.4 percent increase over the same week last year. An improving U.S. economy is credited for much of the increase in rail volume. Railyards managing increased volume can improve efficiency, save time, and prevent injuries by utilizing products like the RailCar Mover from DJ Products.

Key commodity groups

Four of the ten key commodity groups tracked by AAR showed increases: motor vehicles and automotive parts up 12 percent, nonmetallic minerals up 18 percent, metallic ores and metals increased by 8.9 percent. While rail volume increased in some groups, there were significant decreases in grain shipments (16.9 percent); non-grain farm products also decreased by 6.7 percent. Coal shipments typically increase as winter approaches but were down by 2.6 percent for the same time period. According to Railway Age, the cumulative volume of 12,199,607 carloads for the first 47 weeks of 2017 was a 3 percent increase over the previous year.

Industry must embrace innovation

Rail remains the most cost-effective method of moving high volumes of freight across the county. However, it is far from the quickest method. Rail companies must improve efficiency and cut costs in every area possible to remain viable.

One of the best ways to maximize manpower and lower costs associated with workplace injuries is to utilize a battery-powered RailCar Mover from DJ Products. These movers have industry standard rail car couplers that allow one person to pull or push rail cars weighing up to 200k lbs. Contact DJ Products to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales engineers about your equipment needs.

Seven Important Trends that Are Shaping the Rail Industry Now and in 2018

DJ Products Supplies Railcar Movers.
DJ Products Supplies Railcar Movers.

The rail industry has been impacted by innovative equipment such as battery-powered railcar movers. Here are the hottest technology trends that are also shaping the direction of the rail industry for today and the future.

The Internet of … Trains?

As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, it’s becoming easier and more cost-efficient for passenger and freight services to gather and analyze data. Digital integration is now the norm rather than the exception.

Science Fiction Becomes Reality

Improvements in augmented and virtual reality are enabling solutions such as smart glasses, which let employees in the field transmit images to technicians and other staff back at headquarters.

There’s an App for That

Apps are the key to delivering a more personalized experience for rail users with functions such as booking tickets and offering updated schedule information.

Fighting Cyber-Crime

No industries are immune from hackers and cyber-crime. Rail companies face a two-fold threat from attacks on train operations and data collection.

Twice as Nice

A digital twin is a software model that replicates a physical object or system to allow simulation and analysis of real-world situations. Digital twins are particularly useful for rail companies to study and improve maintenance operations.

New Transport Options Emerge

Companies such as Uber and Lyft follow a model that leverages capacity without the need for major investment. How will the traditional transport companies respond to this challenge?

East Meets West

China has become a major player in the transport industry, and Chinese firms are expected to continue making strategic alliances with Western companies.

Save Time and Money with Railcar Movers

Looking for a way to maximize manpower and reduce workplace injuries? Visit our website to learn more about the battery-powered RailCarCaddy from DJ Products.

Railway Freight Trains Take a Back Seat to Amtrak in Priority Change

Cargo transportatio with Trains and Railways
Amtrak Puts Freight on the Back Burner

As Amtrak continues efforts to promote railway travel as an attractive alternative to flying, it scored a big regulatory victory this past July. The Safety Transportation Board (STB) issued a reversal on its previous stance concerning a policy change from two proposals that would have favored freight trains.

Passenger Travel vs. Freight Transport: Which Has Priority?

The first proposal would have given railways the leeway to prioritize freight trains over passenger trains. While the STB initially supported the policy, saying Federal law did not explicitly state that passenger trains should be given preference, they have since reconsidered.

Amtrak fought the change on the grounds that it would severely impair their ability to operate on time, since 97 percent of their mileage is run over non-Amtrak railroad tracks. Not surprisingly, rail freight companies disagreed, saying that priority would actually be determined on a case-by-case basis.

With the second proposal, STB issued a change in terms rather than rejecting it outright. Instead of defining “on-time performance” as the point when a train reaches its final destination, it will now be calculated by arrivals at intermediate Amtrak stations.

This may sound like a minor alteration, but it makes a significant impact based on a 2008 law stating that Amtrak can petition STB for investigations and remedies for delays if on-time performance runs at an average of less than 80 percent for two consecutive calendar quarters.

Stay on Schedule with Railcar Movers from DJ Products

Don’t let inefficient maneuvering of railcars cost you precious time. Visit our website to learn more about how our battery-powered railcar movers are the solution to your needs.