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11/14/2025
Compiled by Bridget Dean, Associate Editor
As the rail industry faces increasing pressure to manage costs, supply challenges and sustainability goals, component reconditioning has become a practical path toward reliability and long-term value, A. Stucki Co. officials said in an email. The company supports this approach by providing rail-car and locomotive component repair services that emphasize efficiency and resource stewardship.
Reconditioning key assemblies — such as wheelsets, side frames, couplers and draft gears — allows rail-car repair facilities to restore performance without full replacement, company officials said.
The same principle applies to locomotive axles, roller bearings and turbochargers, which can often be remanufactured to deliver continued service life and consistent quality, they said. These practices extend asset life cycles while minimizing waste and reducing dependence on new material supply.
Working through North American-based repair operations also helps shorten turnaround times, A. Stucki officials said. The company can provide three- to five-day completions for many rebuilds compared with the longer overseas lead times for new components. That responsiveness supports rail-car repair programs that must stay on schedule while balancing cost control and asset reliability, A. Stucki officials said.
Across the industry, collaboration between repair shops and experienced component specialists can help maintain the health of a rail-car fleet, they believe.
Through a focus on precision workmanship, dependable turnaround and responsible reuse, these partnerships ensure that critical rail assets remain safe, efficient and ready to meet the demands of an evolving freight network, A. Stucki officials said.
In rail-car leasing, downtime is the enemy. Every day a car sits idle during repairs, shippers lose utilization and pay for an asset not in motion. AITX turns that challenge into an operational advantage through its integrated North American repair network and digital fleet management platform, company officials said.
By combining ownership of both the asset and service infrastructure, AITX can eliminate the typical handoffs between lessor, repair vendor and parts supplier. The company’s full-service facilities across North America create a seamless chain of accountability, resulting in faster turnaround times, predictable scheduling and higher fleet utilization for shippers, AITX officials said.
The company’s digital platform places leasing and repair in one view, providing customers real-time insight into the status, history and performance of their rail cars. AITX’s predictive analytics anticipate maintenance needs, optimize shop capacity and position parts where they’re needed most, reducing in-service failures and improving reliability, company officials said.
Each service captured through AITX’s systems contributes to a growing dataset that refines decision-making over time. Fleet managers can track performance trends, evaluate utilization and align maintenance planning with broader logistics strategies. AITX’s network applies standardized safety protocols, quality controls and documentation across every location, ensuring consistency and compliance at scale, company officials said.
For shippers, the advantage is simplicity and confidence, they said. AITX does the legwork, serving as a one-stop solution that makes doing business easier, company officials stress. A single point of contact connects customers directly to experts who can resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
TM Track Machines LLC, a division of Omaha Track, is a rail-car repair facility located in Parsons, Kansas. The 170,000-square-foot shop can house up to 35 rail cars indoors, enabling the company to perform large-scale repairs more efficiently and safely.
Equipped with two 60-ton and two 25-ton overhead crane units, the company can provide full-service fabrication, sandblasting, painting and mechanical work under one roof, Omaha Track officials said. For customers needing additional capacity, the facility also offers onsite storage for up to 300 rail cars.
TM Track Machines specializes in modifying, rebuilding and repairing maintenance-of-way cars for Class Is and major leasing companies across the United States. Since the shop is an M-1003 certified facility, every project meets strict AAR and industry compliance standards, Omaha Track officials said.
Although 2024 began with slower market activity across the rail repair sector, TM Track Machines focused on strengthening customer relationships, Omaha Track officials said. This resulted in multiple new projects, including AAR-certified maintenance and repair programs for revenue-service fleets.
The company also secured a long-term contract with one of the nation’s largest rail-car leasing companies to provide ongoing fleet support, Omaha Track officials said.
In addition to repair and rebuild services, Omaha Track also offers rail-car cleaning services at its Granite City, Illinois, facility, providing customers with a convenient extension of TM Track Machines’ maintenance solutions.
Looking ahead, Omaha Track anticipates steady growth as the company continues to expand its capabilities and partnerships, company officials said.
TrinityRail offers both traditional full-scale freight- and tank-car maintenance and mobile repair services. Combined with fixed operations, TrinityRail’s mobile repair units (MRUs) provide a maintenance network that can flex to meet customers’ needs, company officials said.
MRUs bring certified personnel to customers. A variety of services are available such as lining inspection and touch-up, outlet gate repair and reconditioning, exterior paint touch up, airbrake testing, draft gear and coupler replacement, wheelset replacement and preventative maintenance.
TrinityRail’s fast-track onsite operations range from compliance work to heavy repairs, including freight- and tank-car cleaning, tank-car qualifications and repair, lease terminations, change of service and car inspections. These services generally have greater scalability for large projects. Service locations are strategically placed to offer optimal service and coverage for key customers and markets, TrinityRail officials said.
TrinityRail continues to form strategic partnerships with key customers and large storage facilities, while finding opportunities for on-site expansion. The company is also partnering with RSI Logistics to enhance transloading and maintenance synergies through RSI’s digital solutions and terminal services.
Email questions and comments to bridget.dean@tradepress.com.