Tag: Railcar Moving Equipment

The Top Trends We Are Watching in Rail for 2018

Rail Freight Growth Trends
Rail Freight Growth Trends

Our innovative railcar mover is designed to operate dependably through a wide range of conditions. No matter what changes in the rail industry, you can count on our mover for reliable service.

The past few years have been a time of flux in the rail industry, and 2018 is no exception. Here’s a look at the current trends affecting rail.

Increased Traffic

Declining rail traffic led to its second-lowest total of revenue ton-miles in 2016. But by June 2017, both Class 1 freight and regional railroad volume were showing significant year-over-year growth.

High Demand for Coal Transport

Lower stockpiles, reduced days of burn and higher temperatures combined to drive up the demand for coal at power plants. Coal transport increased by 20 percent over the period of June 2016 to June 2017.

Railroad Stocks on the Rise

Coal exports also increased by 60 percent in 2017, while overall growth in U.S. gross national product (GDP) is driving a greater demand for goods and commodities. As a result, railroad stocks are expected to reap the benefits of these upturns.

Integration of Technology

The rail industry has been behind the curve in adopting cloud computing, Big Data analytics and other high-tech innovations. With costs shrinking as technology matures, more rail companies are investing in these systems.

Transport Management Systems Become the Industry Standard

Early versions of transport management systems (TMS) were too elementary to be cost-effective, but software has progressed to the point where TMS is increasingly seen as a valuable solution.

Increase Safety and Productivity with the Railcar Mover from DJ Products

Moving railcars is a cumbersome operation. With our electric railcar mover, a single employee can easily and safely handle the job. Visit our website for more information.

 

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.

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.

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