About Doerr Street Rail Co
Three generations. Sixty years. One standard of excellence.
A Family Built on the Railroad
The Polivka family came to America with little more than their hands and the Carpathian Rusyn ethic: work hard, keep your word, take pride in what you build. Basil Sr. put that ethic to work in the railroad industry, and it stuck.
Three generations later, that same ethic shows up in every track walk we complete. Our inspectors hold FRA Part 213 certifications and carry decades of Class I experience — which means we know how a railroad inspector thinks, because most of us were railroad inspectors.
"Hard work was instilled into the bones of the Polivka family. That same ethic drives every inspection we complete today."
60 Years of Rail Excellence
From Pittsburgh to the Southeastern United States
Roots in Pittsburgh
The Polivka family emigrates from the Carpathian Rusyn region, settling in Pittsburgh and bringing old-world values of craftsmanship and hard work to American industry.
Ohio Contracting
Basil Sr. founds a railroad contracting business in Ohio, taking on track maintenance work for regional carriers and building a reputation for getting it done right.
Polivka International
His sons expand the business into Polivka International, growing the crew and the scope — eventually winning contracts with all seven Class I Railroads across the United States.
Southeast Specialization
The next generation focuses on inspection and maintenance for industrial facilities and short-line operators in the Southeastern U.S., where growth in manufacturing creates strong demand.
Doerr Street Rail Co
Operating under the Doerr Street Rail Co name, the team brings 60+ years of institutional knowledge to every track walk, switch inspection, and compliance audit they complete.
What We Stand For
Every inspection carries the weight of three generations.
Safety First
Every inspection is conducted with the same rigor we applied when we were operating Class I trains. Safe track is non-negotiable.
Integrity
We report what we find. Our written reports call out every defect, because a missed defect on paper can become a derailment on track.
Experience
Our inspectors averaged 15+ years with Class I railroads before joining us. That field experience cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Commitment
We stay with the project through remediation and re-inspection. We're not done when the report is filed — we're done when your track is right.
Credentials & Certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long has Doerr Street Rail Co been in operation?
- The Polivka family has been in the railroad business since the 1960s, when Basil Sr. founded a railroad contracting operation in Ohio. Through Polivka International, the family built relationships with all seven Class I railroads over decades of track work. Doerr Street Rail Co continues that heritage — bringing 60-plus years of institutional railroad knowledge to every inspection we complete today.
- What does "Class I railroad alumni" mean and why does it matter for inspections?
- Class I railroads are the largest freight carriers in the country — CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Union Pacific, and others. Our inspectors spent careers as track supervisors and roadmasters at these companies before working with industrial clients. That background means they know exactly how Class I track representatives conduct audits, what they prioritize, and what they expect of private track owners. Our inspections are calibrated to that standard.
- Are your inspectors currently FRA Part 213 certified?
- Yes. Every inspector on our team holds current FRA Part 213 Track Safety Standards certification covering Classes I through VI track. Certifications are maintained and current — not historical credentials from a prior career. This is the same certification required of track inspectors working on Class I main lines.
- How is Doerr Street different from a general railroad contractor?
- Most general railroad contractors offer construction and maintenance services and provide inspection as an add-on. We are built around inspection and compliance documentation — it is the core of what we do. Our inspectors approach every track walk with the documentation discipline and regulatory fluency of people who spent careers on the Class I side of the industry. That orientation produces a different quality of inspection report than a contractor who inspects primarily to scope their own maintenance work.
- Does the family still run the company?
- Yes. Basil Polivka II serves as President of Doerr Street Rail Co, continuing the family's direct involvement in the railroad industry that began with his grandfather's contracting work in Ohio. The values that defined the family's approach — hard work, integrity, and genuine accountability for what we document — remain the operational standard today.
Ready to put 60 years of experience to work?
Contact us to schedule an inspection or discuss your track safety program.