Railroads have brought a lot of innovation and technology into the world, and modern railroads continue to do so. 

Modern railroads use many pieces of sophisticated equipment to make them work efficiently. We’ll discuss some railroad equipment and the role it fulfills here.

Boxcars

Boxcars are the bread and butter of the railroad industry. Boxcars, first implemented in the 1830s, are affixed to freight trains transporting various materials.

Specific types of cargo, including canned goods, paper, and automobile components, are transported by boxcars.

Limit Switches

Limit switches are electrical devices that shut down equipment within the train when it reaches its destination. This prevents excessive energy use. 

The best type of limit switch depends on the situation, as most are specialized. A rotary limit switch, for instance, was designed to handle heavy machinery, while a whisker-encased switch handles more delicate materials.

Rail Grinders

One of the critical pieces of track equipment is the rail grinder. Approximately 1300 trains per day pass through the Chicago area alone, so the US rail system undergoes a fair amount of strain. With that much use, railways and the trains that run on them will wear down.

This is where rail grinders come in. Rail grinders keep a rail track from becoming dull and unreliable by scraping away a small layer from the top of the tracks. This gives the track a new, more precise surface that trains can traverse without issue.

Grooved Rail

What happens if a train has to pass through a city? Most of the time, cities have rail grooves, allowing for travel on paved surfaces. These grooves were designed so that a train’s movement on public roads was more stable and didn’t disturb motorists.

They also made it so cars wouldn’t get caught in train tracks while driving. Unfortunately, rail grooves are a very complex and somewhat inefficient train part, so few companies supply them.

Ballast Regulator

Perhaps the rails themselves are fine, but you’re worried that the material below them is unsteady. This can be prevented with a ballast regulator. A ballast regulator distributes the ballast beneath the track to prevent trackbed degradation.

This keeps the track itself from sinking into the ground. This stops the train’s wheels from getting clogged with debris and risking damage or derailment.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes are a mechanism that stops the train by activating a clamp on the wheels to keep them from turning. Anybody who’s owned a bicycle has seen this brake on a smaller scale.

Railroad Equipment and Its Uses

Railroad equipment constantly evolves, and we’ve discussed just a few railroad innovations here. You can learn more by reading our blog. 

We are a proud supplier of rail parts and products. While reading our blog, feel free to review our parts list or contact us if you need a part. We can provide a quote so you know the price before buying.

In 2021, the freight railcar parts industry market size surpassed $10 billion. Demand is also increasing, so it makes sense to stock up on parts now rather than later when there may be price increases.

If you’re in the market for railcar repairs or maintenance, you want to ensure you’re investing in the best railcar parts. This will help to ensure the longevity of your railcar and minimize downtime.

But with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this article, we will examine some of the most important factors to keep in mind when purchasing railcar parts. Read on to learn more.

Quality

Quality is the most important factor to consider when selecting railcar parts. Poor quality parts can lead to premature failure and more frequent repairs, which can be costly and time-consuming.

When buying railcar spares, ensure you’re investing in high-quality parts designed to last. Look for parts that are manufactured by reputable companies and meet industry standards.

Availability

Availability is another important consideration. When your railcar needs repairs, you don’t want to wait weeks or even months for the parts to arrive.

Look for suppliers with a good inventory of parts and can deliver them quickly. It’s also a good idea to have a backup supplier in case your primary supplier runs out of stock.

Price

Price is, of course, an important consideration when buying railcar parts. However, it’s essential to remember that cheaper isn’t always better. Investing in high-quality parts may cost more upfront but can save you money in the long run by reducing downtime and the need for frequent repairs.

When comparing prices, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Look for suppliers who offer competitive prices without compromising on quality.

Warranty

A warranty is an essential consideration when buying railcar parts. A warranty can provide peace of mind and protect your investment. Look for suppliers who offer a warranty on their products.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what is covered and for how long.

Customer Support

Good customer support is essential when buying railcar parts. Look for suppliers who have knowledgeable and helpful customer service representatives.

Also, look for a supplier who is easy to reach and quick to respond. This way they can help you quickly resolve any issues that may arise.

How to Select the Best Railcar Parts 

Selecting the best railcar parts requires careful consideration of quality, compatibility, availability, price, warranty, and customer support. By taking the time to research and compare suppliers, you can ensure that you’re investing in high-quality parts that will maximize the lifespan of your railcar and minimize downtime.

Remember to always prioritize quality over price and invest in parts that are compatible with your specific railcar. With these tips, you’re sure to find the best railcar parts for your needs.

At Kor-Pak Corporation, we can supply you with a wide range of quality railcar parts. Contact us today to find out more or request a quote.

When moving shipments to different locations by railcar, you need the best railcar parts you can find. Time and efficiency are always necessary when shipping cargo to a destination, and delays can be costly. Do you want to lose valuable time and money for your business by not having high-quality railcar parts at your disposal?

Having good parts for the railcars that ship cargo to your destinations will help ensure that you can safely and adequately handle everything. There are many types of rail parts to keep track of and look into when you want to ship to multiple destinations. Knowing how to choose the right railcar parts for your situation is vital to have them hold up for an extended period and avoid premature failure.

Choosing the correct railcar parts is essential for your business. Want to know what you need to keep in mind when looking for parts for railcars? Keep reading to learn about selecting the best railcar part options in this breakdown.

Getting Railcar Parts from A Good Supplier

When you’re gathering different rail parts or important railcar mover parts, you want to ensure you’re getting them from a reputable supplier. You want to avoid any parts from a random railcar parts catalog; otherwise, you may get something of lower quality that can cause a significant problem down the line. Instead, look for suppliers and outlets with a history of good service and products.

Researching some of the best railcar suppliers is very helpful. This is important when looking for specific parts, like rail friction products, where one outlet would be better than another. If one has a lot of experience in specialized railcar components, you should look there first.

High Quality and Maintenance

The parts for transporting cargo via railcar you want to be high-quality and durable. This means getting from a railcar parts catalog that will be useful for a very long time rather than a breakdown or degrade after a short period of use. This can include getting parts with extra durability and other perks that won’t wear down after being used for a long time.

At the same time, you want to have good maintenance for everything. Fixing things up simply without costing yourself too much time and money is essential. This can mean having equipment that can receive repairs while multitasking and not causing other parts of your business to shut down.

With railcar parts already top quality, you should spend less time on things breaking down and getting repaired. Time is money, and you’ll want to save every bit of it you can

Selecting The Right Railcar Parts

With our guide on picking the right railcar parts, you’ll be able to get the best types of railcar parts for your business. When you need to get shipments to places with efficiency and punctuality, having the best parts with you is a great asset.

Want to know more about railcar parts and other industrial applications? Visit the Kor-Pak Corporation website to look at railcar parts with substantive testing and a diverse range of materials. You can also read through their blog for extra information about other applications for even more great insight.

Freight rail accounts for more long-distance ton-miles than any other mode of transportation. Freight and passenger rail traffic is a critical part of the transportation network. Keeping your railcars moving is essential to your business.

Replacing wear parts when needed is critical in maintaining your rolling stock. Learn more about railroad wearing parts and how to find the ones you need.

The Importance of Railroad Wear Parts

All equipment has parts that wear. Railroad applications involve severe service environments.

Rail components must withstand extreme temperatures, high impacts, and continuous vibration. In addition, locomotive wear parts require periodic repair or replacement.

Replacing railroad wear parts helps avoid costly downtime —  preventing minor problems from becoming more significant. In addition, it promotes safer operations.

Types of Wear Parts for the Rail Industry

Railroad wear parts fall into several categories, including friction wear parts, rubber parts, and pedestal liners. Other wear parts include springs, wheel chocks, coupler parts, and shims.

Friction Wear Parts

Friction wear parts include:

• Equalizer seats
• Vertical liners
• Center plates
• Wear pads
• Wear plates
• Brake shoes and pads
• Snubbers

Wear parts are made from rigid or phenolic friction materials.

Rigid Friction Materials

Rigid non-asbestos molded blocks are a premium material for heavy-duty uses. They provide smooth, consistent friction with a wide range of friction levels.

Rigid friction materials have low wear and abrasion. They also offer excellent fade resistance.

Phenolic Friction Materials

Phenolic resin is another option for friction material. Thermosetting resins are cross-linked with hexamine. The resin can be enhanced with other polymeric or chemical modifiers.

Phenolic resins provide excellent heat resistance and adhesive performance. They have high mechanical strength.

Rubber Parts

Rubber parts have a variety of uses, such as:

• Bolster stabilizers and end bumpers
• Lateral bumpers
• End of car diaphragms
• Engine seals

These rail components are made from natural or synthetic rubber. Natural rubber comes from natural rubber latex.

Synthetic rubbers like Neoprene are manufactured. As a result, each type of synthetic rubber has its own specific performance characteristics.

Pedestal Liners

Pedestal liners can be made from manganese steel or a polymer material.

Manganese steel is a stainless steel alloy containing a higher percentage of manganese. It’s ideal for high-stress environments that could cause other types of steel to fail. In addition, it has a high impact and wear resistance level.

Polymer plastics are lighter than steel. As a result, they’re durable, have less friction, and can reduce noise and squealing.

Choosing the Right Wear Parts

Wear parts are essential for locomotives, freight cars, and passenger cars. Passenger railways include high-speed, intercity commuter trains, trams, and light rail. In addition, rolling stock has different needs based on its specific uses.

You can choose OEM or aftermarket wear parts. Aftermarket components from a reliable wear parts supplier can be more cost-effective than OEM.

However, you must verify that aftermarket parts will genuinely fit your vehicle. Important considerations include the dimensions and specifications of the wear parts you’re replacing.

An experienced wear parts supplier can help you optimize your components. As a result, you can use the suitable material where it performs best. This prolongs component life and reduces maintenance.

Work With a Specialized Rail Parts Supplier

Wear parts are essential for keeping your rolling stock performing its best. An experienced supplier can help ensure you get the best rail components for your application.

Kor-Pak is a trusted vendor with expertise in the rail industry. We provide durable, high-quality products to meet a wide range of specifications.

Kor-Pak manufactures and supplies OEM and aftermarket wear parts. Our components are compatible with most commonly-used rail brands. They undergo extensive testing and are used in passenger and freight applications worldwide.

Browse our catalog to find the wear parts you need.

The freight transportation market grew to $28.66 billion in 2021.

The freight transportation industry relies on a vast range of elements, and one of the most crucial is transportation itself. Railcars need various high-quality parts to function, and Kor-Pak provides several.

Keep reading for a rundown of how Kor-Pak keeps the freight transportation industry moving.

Railcar Parts

Kor-Pak is a well-known railroad parts supplier. We manufacture and engineer various parts for freight cars (and passenger cars) for the railroad industry.

Friction Wear Parts

Railcar transport relies on a wide range of friction-wear parts. This includes things like:

• Center plates
• Equalizer seats
• Vertical liners
• Wear pads
• Brake shoes/pads
• Snubbers

We can custom-build these parts to a high degree of accuracy, ensuring they meet your needs. We also offer different materials, so we’ll have something suitable regardless of the applications.

Rubber Parts

Rubber can add extra friction to parts like brake pads when needed. It can also offer increased shock absorption. Some rubber parts we can manufacture include:

• Motor mount
• Bolster end bumper
• Load leveling bushing
• Lateral bumper
• Rubber seals
• End-of-car diaphragms

Again, various rubber types are available depending on the requirements and application. A consultation with our team is often the best way to determine the most suitable material for a job.

Other Parts

Many less common parts serve a range of rail applications. Some of these are pedestal liners, wheel chocks, coupler parts, shims, engine seals, and many more. In addition, our resources allow us to offer standard parts and make custom parts to order.

Getting Parts in Time

Railroad operations can take a toll on the parts and equipment used. In addition, wear and tear will cause things to degrade, so regular maintenance is crucial.

A proper maintenance schedule will help you determine what parts need replacing before they fail. Then, you can get in touch with us to let us know what you need. We’ll then be able to ensure you have the parts required before you run into any significant issues.

Value Added Services

At Kor-Pak, we go the extra mile to ensure the parts we supply are the best available.

We offer laser-cutting to produce incredibly accurate custom plate parts. We can use this service for multiple grades of steel.

When it comes to rubber parts, we use a range of techniques such as injection molding, extrusion molding, bonding, and fabric insertion. With these, we can produce almost any type of custom rubber part.

Freight Transportation With Kor-Pak

The freight transportation industry has become crucial for transporting goods worldwide. Parts like the ones we make at Kor-Pak are essential to keep things running. The quality of the parts we produce ensures they’re fit for purpose and will stand the test of time.

To find out more about our capabilities, contact us today.

Since its conception in the late 19th century, the railroad industry has changed the American way of life. We owe the development of several early cities and towns to our railroads.

And here’s something else we owe them: a little maintenance.

The last century has been hard on those railroads. So finding ways to update and repair them is imperative. Fortunately, some industry experts are already revitalizing our railroad systems via friction modifiers.

What, though, is a friction modifier? And how are friction modifiers helping the railroad industry thrive?

Continue reading to find out how friction modifiers are benefiting the railroad industry.

What Is a Friction Modifier?

A friction modifier is a polar molecule you can find in commercial lubricants. Manufacturers add these modifiers to lubricants to minimize light surface contacts.

They’re essential in the railroad industry because trains continuously roll and slide atop rails. This contact causes friction which leads to less effective journeys for freight trains.

That said, let’s take a look at how friction modifiers benefit the railroad industry.

Lengthening Rails’ Lifespans

Friction wears down rails. And worn down rails increase maintenance costs for companies.

But friction modifiers reduce these costs by reducing surface contacts because fewer surface contact means less friction.

Of course, modifiers can only prevent so much friction. As a result, they don’t negate the need for regular preventative maintenance.

Improving Trains’ Fuel Economy

There’s another unfortunate truth about friction:

It slows down trains while they’re traveling from one destination to another. And slower journeys have two major effects on the railroad industry:

1. Goods aren’t delivered as quickly as they could be.
2. Extra fuel is used to combat the friction.

The first point is relevant to both manufacturers and consumers. When goods don’t arrive in a timely fashion, manufacturers can’t ship them off to retailers or customers as quickly as they’d like.

The loss of fuel is a significant problem for anyone who has a stake in the railroad industry because lost fuel is lost money for investors.

Reducing Noise

As of 2015, approximately 48 million Americans were suffering from some degree of hearing loss. And why are we telling you this?

It is because friction modifiers can significantly reduce the noise trains emit. This noise reduction is a boon to train engineers and workers who are subjected to loud noises at work.

Noise reduction can also be beneficial to residents who live near railroads. This noise is an inconvenience and can lower the property value.

Providing Green Solutions

Railroads pass through several different types of terrains on each journey. They pass by rivers, valleys, and canyons.

Which is why you want the chemicals used on them to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Luckily, there are several green friction modifiers on the market. These modifiers are making our railroad systems better for our environment.

Interested in Learning More About Friction Modifiers?

The benefits of friction modifiers listed here have only scratched the surface of modifiers’ utility to the industry. There’s much more to learn about how they’re benefiting the industry.

That said, don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re still curious about friction modifiers. We’ll help you figure out if they’re a practical solution for you.

Managing railroad friction is essential to sustaining day-to-day stress, but it also provides maximum performance for vehicles that run on rails.

There are a number ways to keep vehicles in top form while they’re at work.

The main benefit of properly managing railroad friction is that you’ll be preserving your equipment without losing revenue. Sounds like a win-win, right?

Let’s explore what you’ll need to maximize your vehicle’s rail performance.

What you’ll need to manage railroad friction

There are a few staples you’ll need to keep things running smoothly and for as long as possible. They are:

• Lubrication

Perhaps the number one tool to consider for managing friction is lubrication. We recommend using InterFlon to protect against dirt and dust damage.

• Rigid molded blocks

Our blocks are non-asbestos treated and are the perfect fit for industrial grade brakes and shoe clutches. Using rigid molded blocks keeps friction smooth and consistent, which increases performance and lifespan.

Usually, the vehicles that benefit most from these blocks are large cranes, lift trucks, tension control vehicles, and mining equipment.

• Geartooth facing

These facings are an option for almost all industrial uses. Shop ID and OD facings to fit your machine.

Most of the time we see facings used in construction or mining machines, brake/clutch systems, winches/hoists, and pumping or irrigation machines.

• Center plate

Center plates for industrial vehicles are a necessity if you want to properly manage friction. The benefits include being self-lubricating and having a high-pressure threshold.

• Snubber

Used predominantly in oil and gas wells, snubbers are used to decrease voltage, which increases lifespan. Snubbers are heavy-duty, so they should only be used for in high-voltage and extremely demanding situations.

How to bring it all together

There are many working parts to a well-managed friction system. You’ll need the details like we talked about above. But, you’ll also need a controlling and tracking device to oversee it all.

Our go-to is the RFM-100 from Elecsys. The RFM-100 will monitor friction and keep track of lubricant levels. Other features include:

• Power status
• Tank levels
• Pump times/revolutions
• Material volume
• Door updates
• Wheel count
• Axle count

A regularly scheduled check-up isn’t enough to keep friction problems at bay. Using a remote control system is the best, most cost-effective way to keep your system on track.

Negative effects on non-equipped vehicles

Without proper management, vehicles can be hit with all types of issues due to high-stress friction, from disablement to complete failure.

The losses of being reactive to these realities can be completely eliminated if companies plan to succeed with proactive management.

Advantages of working with us

As industry leaders, we take innovation seriously. Working with Kor-Pak means working with the best.

For more than 40 years we’ve provided top-notch service and products to major rail companies, worldwide.

We pride ourselves on our ability to customize high-performance, railroad friction products, regardless of the different needs of the companies we work with.

Our pricing is competitive and we get the job done quickly because we know that your time is your money.

If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Feel free to contact our team of professionals anytime.

I recently read a story about the unusual search for obsolete railroad equipment. It was entitled: “BART Turns To eBay For Parts To Keep System Limping Along”. The story was reported on the CBS SF Bay Area News on April 6, 2016.

BART is the acronym for Bay Area Rapid Transit System. This system of passenger railroad cars dates back to 1972. Many of the railroad parts used on the rapid transit system are now obsolete.

The rail agency found certain types of equipment (namely computer and electrical) available on eBay. These parts were often in better condition than their own failing equipment.

I researched a little a little further. I found another online article from The (San Jose) Mercury News dated March 25, 2016. The second article was entitled: “Has BART’s cutting-edge 1972 technology design come back to haunt it?”

The rapid transit rail system was designed over 45 years ago. Back then the system used principles “…developed for the aerospace industry rather than tried-and-true rail standards”.

Among other things, the system does not use the standard railroad track width. It track width deviates from the standard being nearly a foot wider. It also uses a flat-edge rail that tilts slightly inward.

Decisions such as these required parts to be custom made. Many of these parts are no longer available or supported. Decades later these parts can’t easily be repaired or replaced. This in turn may have led to the current challenges and incredibly expensive maintenance costs.

“Those one-of-a-kind systems lead to a dearth of readily available replacement parts. Maintenance crews often scavenge parts from old, out-of-service cars to avoid lengthy waits for orders to come in; sometimes mechanics are forced to manufacture the equipment themselves.”

The rail system was originally designed to carry 100,000 people per week. Yet according to BART’s own ” Fiscal Year 2016 Preliminary Budget Memo” ridership averages over 75,000 trips on a typical weekday.

Further, “In 2014, weekday ridership averaged over 410,000, with peak months as high as 440,000.” Some “Peak-hour, peak-direction trains now typically range from 120 to 140 passengers per car..” Thi is far above the system’s standard of 115 passengers per car.

Wikipedia reports on its rapid transit ridership systems list. The report indicates BART’s 140 mile system transported an average daily ridership of 452,600 for the fourth quarter of 2015.

At Kor-Pak we often run into similar requests to source hard to locate replacement parts. One of our specialty areas is the fabrication and replacement of obsolete parts in the freight and passenger rail industry. For more information, please visit our Railroad Industry page where you can also download our Rail Parts Catalog.