Progressive Railroading Reader's Choice Awards 2025

It's time to vote! We want your input on how these products rank as innovative, standing out and meeting rail-industry needs.

Rank your top 3 below from 1 to 3. 1 being the best, 2 your second best pick and 3 your third best pick.
Only subscribers to Progressive Railroading's daily eNewsletter can vote. You can only vote once.

Winners will be announced in Progressive Railroading magazine, the Daily News eNewsletter and on ProgressiveRailroading.com.

KEYWAY TIE

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak - Designed to be interspersed with wood ties at random intervals using standard MOW equipment. This tie combines resilient components with heavy-duty ductile tie plates and 10,000 psi concrete to provide durability and gauge holding strength while matching the lower track stiffness and flexibility to change the fastening systems of wood ties.

TRACS (Turnout Remover And Carrier System)

DavRail Inc. - TRACS enhances turnout panel management w safety, efficiency, & versatility. Remote-control operation minimizes worker exposure to active rail areas, creating an exclusion zone. It navigates both along & sideways on track, adapts to any turnout sizes anywhere, & self-loads onto transport vehicles, improving installation speed & setting a new standard for track maintenance.

BLUEROLL MPF SLIDE POINT ROLLER

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak - This roller is designed to minimize friction on moveable point frogs by utilizing a slide block with low coefficient of friction, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and lubrication, ensuring smoother operations. With its straightforward retrofit capability and precision adjustment features, it offers a hassle-free solution for improving railway efficiency.

CHX35 Hi Rail Excavator & D97 Snow Blower

Vancer - The CHX35 Hi-Rail excavator with the Larue D97 Snow Blower is built to dominate winter. A powerful C32 engine, modified boom, and hydraulic wings clear heavy snow with ease. The boom quickly transitions back with the stick and tilt rotator—transforming it into a reliable, high-performance excavator built for all four seasons and be utilized for your MOW needs.

Apex Switch Point Slider – Reduces Failures, Enhances Turnout Reliability

Apex Rail Automation - The Apex Switch Point Slider prevents failures from rail expansion and contraction, ensuring smooth point movement and alignment. With 500+ units in service, it eliminates false indications, prevents tie binding, reduces wear, extends switch life, and enhances track reliability while cutting maintenance needs.

Battery Web Grinder

Goldschmidt - The Goldschmidt Battery Web Grinder was designed to be the most efficient web grinder for both grinding aluminothermic welds as well as pre and post grinding for flashbutt welding operations. Being battery-driven using commercially available EGO batteries with 80 minutes of runtime, the battery web grinder works independently of other equipment, increasing productivity.