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July 2025
Compiled by Bridget Dean, Associate Editor
When Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast in late September 2024, it left behind a path of destruction that stretched across towns, rivers and railroads. One of the hardest-hit corridors was the CSX Blue Ridge Subdivision, a vital rail artery carved through the region’s mountains and valleys. As floodwaters receded, the damage was clear: washed-out tracks, collapsed embankments and access roads buried in debris.
Freight movement was paralyzed. Recovery wasn’t going to be quick or easy. Enter B&P Enterprises. Within hours, the Mississippi-based heavy railroad contractor began mobilizing its forces. The company brought in excavators, hi-rail machines, tri-axle and rotary dumps, loaders, off-road trucks, skid steers and high-track dozers.
Specialized equipment flooded the region. So did the manpower. Over 200 employees, including subcontractors, were on site, working in shifts around the clock, B&P officials said in an email.
The team deployed a large-scale washout recovery method across more than 30 miles of damaged terrain. Multiple worksites sprang up simultaneously. The first hurdle? Simply getting there.
“Gaining access was half the battle,” said B&P Leader Jessica Jones. “In some places, there was no road left to get to the track. So we cleared and built them —sometimes from scratch — just to get started.”
A few months later, CSX trains were moving again. Not yet at full speed, but the line is operational. The work hasn’t stopped. Crews are still stabilizing banks, rebuilding track and reinforcing slopes to prevent future failures.
“This was more than a repair job,” said B&P CEO Joshua Prewett. “It was a full-on rescue mission, for the railroad and for the people who rely on it.”
Genesis Rail Services offers mechanical, engineering, transportation and equipment services. The company designs and constructs reliable railroad infrastructure, supporting maintenance projects and responding to emergencies when necessary, said Tom Hayden, Genesis’ executive vice president of rail services.
Annually, the company handles about 150 derailments for various customers, including those caused by weather-related events. Response times vary depending on the destination, but crews typically arrive within an hour of the emergency call, company officials said. Crews can set up the company’s large equipment at a site in as little as 30 minutes.
Genesis recently responded to a derailment in North Carolina. When crews arrived, they found nine loaded auto racks had derailed, with one on its side. The mainline and two siding tracks were blocked and significantly damaged due to the derailment, Genesis officials said.
The company mobilized emergency crews/equipment from Salisbury, North Carolina, and Roanoke, Virginia, and employees cleared the mainline within one hour of arrival and rerailed all nine loaded cars within 12 hours.
Load adjustment personnel unloaded the vehicles from all nine cars while track crews responded and repaired all track to resume service, Genesis officials said.
Another example of Genesis’ service is a washout caused by severe flooding from torrential rains that occurred in Ada, West Virginia. Genesis crews responded to the emergency call and worked to repair tracks and remove mud, debris and a house that slid onto the track.
When disaster strikes, Hulcher Services stands ready 24/7 with the necessary expertise, manpower and equipment to respond immediately, company officials said. For over 50 years, Hulcher has served Class Is, short lines and industry customers.
The company provides critical emergency response services in the wake of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes and other natural disasters, Hulcher officials said.
With over 20 strategically located divisions across the United States, the company is positioned to respond quickly to minimize downtime, protect infrastructure, and restore operations. Hulcher can quickly mobilize experienced crews and specialized equipment — including hi-rail excavators, sidebooms, dozers and vacuum trucks — to clear debris, repair damaged track, assist with derailment recovery and provide environmental remediation services.
“Our goal is simple—respond fast, work safely and get our customers back up and running as quickly as possible,” said Hulcher President Frank Given. “We’re proud to be a trusted emergency response partner for the railroads and industrial operations during their most critical times of need.”
In addition to response efforts, Hulcher can support emergency planning, staging and pre-event mobilization efforts to help customers stay prepared ahead of major weather events. n
Email questions or comments to bridget.dean@tradepress.com.
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