If you own a railroad, you know it’s important that everything is in proper working order to ensure that payloads and cargo arrive at their destinations as scheduled, however, due to time constraints or other factors, it can be tempting to put off maintenance until a more convenient time. If it’s only minor, how much damage can it do?

Track defects are the second leading cause of accidents on railways in the U.S. according to the United States Federal Railroad Administration. Some of the most obvious defects to watch for include corrosion, cracks, and wheel burn, however, other dangers may be much less obvious to the naked eye. Bolt holes, welds, switchblades, and other rail parts can show damage or potential damage, but more extensive identification methods should be used to find all potential risks.

A professional railroad track consultant and inspection team should be called in to inspect all potential risks that you may come across as well as to do regular maintenance to prevent major issues from arising. Professional teams have access to and knowledge about detection methods including ultrasounds, radiography, magnetic induction and more.

A broken track can not only derail a train, but can derail operations for days and weeks at a time! Don’t let neglect or a lack of time stop you from doing today what will stop you from operating tomorrow. Get in touch with Sharp & Fellows, Inc., Orange County’s most trusted railroad contractors, today.

A railroad track that’s in disrepair can be a source of significant losses because of delays, malfunctions, and the potential for derailments. To avoid significant damage to rail cars and cargo, as well as serious injury and even loss of life, derailments and other railway accidents must be avoided at all costs. To that end, regular track inspections are a must, as poor track conditions are the leading cause of derailments and other accidents.

What Track Inspectors Look For

Track inspectors are looking for unsound and unsafe rail conditions that could lead to accident or injury. A few of these conditions include:

• Uneven gauge—The inspector will ensure that the rails have not shifted, creating an unacceptable gauge. If the rails are not the appropriate distance apart along their entire length, the inspector will determine the cause of the shift, and how it should be fixed.
• Rail breaks—Any points where the rails have cracked or split will be noted and flagged for repair.
• Failed or failing joints—The seam where two rails join will be inspected to ensure they are flush.
• Rotten or decaying ties—Even if the rails haven’t yet shifted or spread, if the ties holding them together are decaying, then it’s only a matter of time, so those ties should be replaced.
• Word rail heads—Wheels are much more likely to slip from rails with worn heads, so rails exhibiting such wear should be replaced.
• Standing, bent, or missing spikes—Spikes should be gripping the rail tightly to keep it in place. If any spikes are standing (sticking up and loose), misshapen, or, worst of all, gone, they need to be replaced.
• Standing water—Standing water between the rails generally indicates a problem with the ballast or the substrate, and if uncorrected, will eventually lead to more serious problems like rotten ties or shifting rails.

Sharp & Fellows Inspection and Maintenance

Regular inspections should be part of every rail maintenance plan to keep train running smoothly. Delays and accidents are costly and dangerous. At Sharp & Fellows, Inc., our Federal Railroad Administration Qualified inspectors can offer you detailed inspection reports to show you where your rails are in danger of failing. Then, we’ll create a repair proposal for you. With 130 years of railroad design and construction experience, you can trust us to get your line back in top condition. We offer monthly maintenance programs for continued upkeep, as well. Visit us at www.sharpandfellows.com or call us at 310-323-7784 today.

The Prime Time of Railroads

In the late 18th century and then on into the 19th century, America saw a growth as well as innovations in the railway systems which lead to the transcontinental railroad and the standardization of rail travel. With the transcontinental railroad, the American West experienced a growth in population and a revolution in the economy.

Advancements in Technology

Over the years, cars became built for more comfortable and even luxurious travel. Planes became a more standard form of travel and tickets became more affordable. With modern-day technology, such as Skype and other telecommunication technologies, the need to travel for business or the amount of time that families would go without seeing each other was drastically reduced.

The Importance of Railway Systems Today

While rail travel is not as common as it once was, the freight business is flourishing. Serving almost every industrial, wholesale, retail, and resource-based sector of the economy, the railway carries about 54 tons of goods each year. Broken out, that equals approximately:

13.7 million trailers of consumer products per year.
1.6 million carloads of agricultural products per year throughout the US and the world.
1.9 million carloads of vehicles, vehicles parts, and vehicle accessories per year.
1.3 million carloads of lumber and paper products per year.
2.4 million carloads of essential chemicals per year.
5.2 million carloads of coal per year.

Although they are now more commonly used to carry cargo, railways are still used as modes of transportation, especially in metropolitan areas.

Expert Railroad Contractors

With the railways still thriving, the importance for industry experts continues to grow great and greater each yer. Sharp & Fellows, Inc. is a railroad contractor service with the expertise and experience you need for all of your railway projects. Sharp & Fellows, Inc. offers repair services including:

Inspections and detailed inspection reports.
Repair proposals if necessary.
Budgeting for improvements.
Cleaning, lubrication, and adjustments.
Monthly maintenance programs.

Other services provided by Sharp & Fellows, Inc. include:

On-ground or overhead crane rail maintenance.
Track demolition and removal.
Full track design including preliminary feasibility studies.

Located in Gardena, California, Sharp & Fellows, Inc. is available to serve San Bernadino, Fontana, Santa Fe Springs, Anaheim, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and surrounding Orange County areas. Visit www.sharpandfellows.com for more information about Sharp & Fellows, Inc.’s history, services, projects, and to get in touch to get a quote today.

The State of Our Infrastructures

The state of America’s bridges and highways are in desperate need of repair. Over $700 billion in repairs according to experts in transportation. The effect these much needed repairs have on the states range from frustration on behalf of the daily commuters and late freight. How can the city go about easing the burden placed on our infrastructure?  The answer lies in the railroads.

How Railroads Ease Infrastructure Problems

Previously, we have discussed the vital role that railroads plays in the shipment of freight. With billions of tons being shipped every year, our economy relies on roads and highways to transport goods all across the country. Railroads are also used as a means of transportation for millions of individuals every day. When those roads and highways are not at their best, railroads are called upon to ease the burden. Freight is being shipped at much higher volumes on trains and eases congestion on the highways by being a mode of transportation.

Railroads escape the problems of money that plagues infrastructure because they are funded through private investments. Recently, investments have reached record levels and has led to the upgrades in trains, tracks, and equipment.  It is impressive to think that all of this has been done without the help of taxpayer’s money to support it.

Not only do railroads ease the traffic on the highways but keep them safer. Tons of hazardous materials move across large sections of highway. Chemicals and fertilizers are hauled on an infrastructure that is in desperate need of repair. While most make it to their destination without incident, it is best not to risk it. Railroads are more efficient at hauling hazardous material and eliminates the chances of an accident.

Los Angeles Railroad Contractors

Needless to say, the railway aspect of the infrastructure is flourishing while the highways are falling behind. At Sharp & Fellows INC, we work tirelessly to ensure that the infrastructure is supported through railways.

Not only do we specialize in track construction and maintenance but design as well to build efficient railways. For additional information about the services we provide, please visit our site to learn more.

Where Does the Los Angeles Railroad Rank?

If you are looking for an accurate description of the effectiveness of the Los Angeles railway system then you must go to the source, the daily riders. Unfortunately, the reviews given by the riders are less than stellar. The main issue riders take with the rail system is that it is too short. Those who take public transportation have to rely on the train and the bus to get to their destination. This not only becomes inconvenient but costly for those taking public transportation.

How Can the Los Angeles Railroad Improve?

One of the ways that Los Angeles County can improve their railroads is by laying down more track. The city has made plans to expand their tracks and to build a high-speed rail. It is a wonderful first step but expanding their tracks does little to improve the situation if the tracks are not being placed in area where they are needed the most.

Currently, there are plans to extend the lines located in the Westside, near LAX, and to the east of Pasadena. Westwood will see an expansion of the Purple line to while the Gold Line will extend to Santa Monica. This is the right track as these areas are in great need of reliable transportation.

The expansions of the rail lines is not only opening up opportunities  for regular commuters. There are hundreds of commuters from the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Valley that have to deal with an exhausting commute on a daily basis. On average, it takes drivers a minimum of a half an hour to travel to work. With toll roads, the price of gas, and the wear and tear on their vehicle, it can get very expensive for drivers. The addition of rail lines can allow commuters to switch to public transportation because of its convenience.

Los Angeles Railway

The job is far from over, in order to rank higher in the list of best public transportation, demands for public transportation must be anticipated and addressed.

At Sharp & Fellows Inc. we provide the design and construction services that allow rail lines to expand. For more information about how we can help you provide great new lines for commuters and make Los Angeles rail system one of the strongest in the nation.

From Passengers to Goods

When one thinks of railroad transportation they tend to think of locomotives hauling freight cars. Sure that is one way a railroad is utilize but there is so much more they have to offer. Especially in a metropolis as Los Angeles, a train is necessary for not only moving goods but people as well. Each area holds their own benefits and specialties.

Freight and Passenger Rail Transport

Freight Trains
As you know, freight trains are utilized to haul goods. There are special types of freight cars used for this type of transportation. Freight trains are efficient in the terms of economy and scale and energy efficiency. There is another type used to haul goods called container trains. These are heavily used because they are easily transshipped. Containers can be transferred from trains to ships and trucks via a crane. Unlike freight trains, containers are flexible in comparison.
Overall, shipping bulk items via train is energy efficient as well as cost efficient. Trains can handle the shipment of bulk at a much lower rate because they are able to hold a large quantity of product. Items such as coal, grains, or liquids are perfect for shipping via train.
Another way trains are utilize is transporting passengers. Passenger trains are an integral part of public transportation and work together with other public transportation such as buses to create an efficient system.
Passengers Trains
Passenger trains have come a long way. There are trains that hold the same amenities of the old. There are the trains that hold sleeper cars for longer rides. Then there are the simple subway lines that connect passengers from station to station for their daily commute.
High speed railways are becoming extremely popular in passenger transportation. Traveling at 120 to 200 miles per hour, these rails are especially attractive to inner-city locations. Currently they are used in Europe and Asia for long-haul systems. Now cities such as Los Angeles are looking to add these rails to the city of commuters.

Los Angeles Railroad System

At Sharp & Fellows, INC we provide our contracting experience for the area of Los Angeles. We design, engineering, and construction railroads to ensure that all freight and passengers get where they need to go. For additional information about our services, please peruse our sight.

Railroad Errors

The high speed and efficiency in which a train runs is what makes it a popular form of transportation for both people and freight. Once a line goes down, that speed comes to a literal halt. While it does not happen often, when it does, it costs people time and money.
One common error occurs at the section of the track that moves. Mainly, the junctions in which trains move from one line to the other. The busiest of railroad lines will see a hundred trains passing over it every day.

Causes of Junction Failure

There are many reasons why a junction will fail. Collection of debris or natural elements like ice will clog the junction. In the summertime, hot weather will cause the driving mechanism to expand, not allowing it to operate. Or it can be simply due to high wear and tear over the years. When any of these problems occur, the signal before the points will turn red preventing a train from passing.

Three Solutions to the Problem

There are failsafe measure that a railroad line can put into place to ensure the line keeps running with minimal interruption.
Remotely Monitored- Many likes are monitored via cameras from a remote location. The reaction is instantaneous, the problem is spotted and an engineer is sent out to assess and fix the problem.
Upgrading the Junctions- As stated before, one of the reasons why the junctions fail is due to the constant wear and tear. To combat this, upgrading old lines is the best solution. Over the years the material has been made much more durable with improved designs.
Protection- Protective covers on problematic areas along the line will prevent failures in the future. Debris and other elements will not accumulate in an area they cannot reach. Painting similar areas white will reduce the absorption of heat. Which will prevent the junctions from expanding.

Los Angeles Rail Line Company

For railroads systems in Los Angeles, we have over 130 years of experience. Our years of experience means we are well-versed in all issues, and solutions, pertaining to railroad lines. For more information about how we can aid your line, visit our site or contact us at (310)323-7784.

Part of the Global Supply Chain

There are thousands of miles of train tracks wind through California and recently the railroad system is going through a resurgence. This is due to the ports receiving goods from Eastern countries, namely China. Reports have shown that 40% of all goods that come into the United States is from the ports in Southern California, namely Los Angeles and Long Beach. This influx of goods means that the Los Angeles railroad system is once again shown to be an integral part of the business sector in not only in the United States but globally.

The Part the Los Angeles Railroad plays in the Global Economy

Exporting and importing goods is a long-held tradition in the business world. Dating back to the East India Company to ports that are still located all over the modern world. While factory jobs have moved over to Asia, the exchange has been sending freight to our ports. Cities that receive freight have seen a boost in their local economy. In a time when the business market is hurting, this is a vital part of keeping cities afloat.
How does the railroads in California coast play a part in the national economy? Merchandise has to be shipped somehow. While trucks are also popular, railroads are the most effective as they can ship mass quantities of cargo containers with ease. Not do they only ship up and down California but the railways connect to railways across the country. Merchandise that lands in Long Beach can make their way to the East Coast in a matter of day and vice versa.
Railroad systems are not like the ones of the years pass. There have been major upgrades to the cars and other machinery along with the rail systems itself. Over the years the rail networks have improved in the form of extending rail lines and replacing old ones.

Los Angeles Railways

At Sharp & Fellows, we aid the Los Angeles region in overhauling their rail lines. If you are looking to expand or upgrade your system, look to us for your railroad needs. For more information about the types of services we provide or to get in contact with us, please visit our site.

Crews in California have been working on the state’s first ever bullet train since June of this year. The proposed plan will build a train that spans from San Francisco to Los Angeles with the trip taking merely 2 ½ hours. As with any major projects, there have been a few snafus. Here is the actual cost of what the trains and a few other facts you may not know.

Cost of the Bullet Train

Since the idea’s conception, there have been several estimates as to what it might cost. It ranges from $105 to $83 million dollars and the current estimate of $86 million dollars is the cheapest of any fast train ever built.
But how much will fare cost? Since the project is not yet complete, there has not been any information on that front. We can expect to learn of costs when it becomes closer to the date of completion. It makes sense that it is one aspect of the project that will be mulled over since it will affect millions of travelers.

Expected Ease of the Train

The Los Angeles Times has estimated that 10.7 million people have flown back and forth between Los Angeles and the Bay area. With the addition of the train, we might see a decline in traffic at LAX and Bay area airports simply due to the convenience. Why would you want to head to the airport earlier when you can simply hop onto the train?
For those who like to travel via car, you can now get the experience of seeing the sights as you would from a car without having to put wear and tear onto your vehicle as well. The cost might be less but it remains to be seen.

Los Angeles Railroad Contractors

Completion of the project is expected to be in the year 2028. It is going to be exciting to see this major project unfold before our eyes.
If your rail business is in need of a railroad contractor, look to Sharp & Fellow Inc. for all of your needs. We have been in business since 1877, you can rest assured that we have the knowledge for any project. Peruse our site for more information.

Transportation and Economics

Efficiency is a key component in order to develop a strong economy. Supply and demand means nothing when the products cannot reach those who want it and in a timely manner. That is why the railroad and trucking industry are vital to today’s economic structure. Intersecting networks and the affect it has on the market is an interesting subject and one we will dive into today.

The Role of Transportation in Economic Development

The ability to transport goods can be an improvement or a hindrance to a business. If you have a great transportation system then your business will flourish. A strong network will link various transportations together to ensure a failsafe plan to get your products where they need to go. Airplanes, trucking, and trains are constantly intersecting to create such a network.
Due to these various forms of transportation working together, you are able to expand your business from an international level to a global one. Production, distribution, and consumption are open to a wider market and increases your economic growth.
A great transportation network will increase your business reputation in terms of reliability. When consumers receive their goods on time or even ahead of schedule, the happier they will be. This builds a great client-customer relationship and can lead to reoccurring business.
With the boost to your business comes the need to increase your productivity. Transportation can work in reverse by bringing you all the necessary supplies you need to complete your assembly. Which will in turn increase performance. The reduction of time it takes while increasing productivity means a decrease in cost since you are shipping bigger quantities thus saving on shipping.

Railroad Track Consultant in Los Angeles

Railroads were a game changer when they were established. They continue to be a vital part of today’s economy since they are used daily to transport goods across the country. Which is why we at Sharp & Fellows Inc. are dedicated to maintaining and improving the railroad systems in Los Angeles. What city is more deserving of a great transportation system than one that is home to many great businesses in need of transportation for shipping their goods?
If you are in need of railroad services, contact us at (310)323-7784.