Railroad Track Inspection Services

FRA Part 213 certified. Class I trained. Written reports within 48 hours.

Industrial track owners cannot afford surprises. Whether you manage a plant spur, a bulk transfer siding, or miles of private track serving a manufacturing complex, the condition of your railroad track directly affects your operations, your compliance standing, and your relationship with the Class I railroad you interchange with.

Our railroad track inspection services give you a documented, defensible record of your track's condition — written by inspectors who spent careers on the Class I side of the industry. We know what a railroad inspector looks for, because most of us were railroad inspectors.

FRA
Part 213 Certified
30+
Years Combined Experience
800+
Inspections Completed
48hr
Written Report Delivery

What Our Inspectors Examine

Every railroad track inspection we conduct follows the Federal Railroad Administration's Track Safety Standards under 49 CFR Part 213. Our inspectors walk the track, take measurements, document defects, and produce a written report that gives you a clear picture of where your track stands — and what needs attention first.

We inspect industrial leads, private sidings, plant spurs, loop tracks, and interchange yard tracks. No track geometry or ownership structure is too complex for our team.

Inspection Scope

  • Rail condition, wear, and surface defects
  • Tie condition per FRA 39-foot segment standard
  • Ballast depth, fouling, and drainage
  • Track surface, line, and gage deviations
  • Switch stands, points, and switch machines
  • Joint bars, fasteners, and anchors
  • Crossings and grade crossing conditions
  • FRA defect classification and priority ranking

Why Industrial Track Owners Choose Us

Class I experience on every track walk

Class I Railroad Alumni

Our inspectors came up through CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, and other Class I carriers. They inspect to the same standard they operated under.

FRA Part 213 Certified

Every inspector holds current FRA Part 213 Track Safety Standards certification covering Classes I through VI.

Written Reports Within 48 Hours

You receive a complete written and photographic inspection report within two business days of the field inspection.

Defect Priority Ranking

Reports clearly separate immediate safety concerns from scheduled maintenance items — so your team knows exactly where to focus first.

Remediation Support

We don't walk away after the report. We support your maintenance team through remediation planning and re-inspection.

Rapid Mobilization

For urgent track events, derailment response, or Class I audit preparation, we mobilize quickly across the Southeastern United States.

Industries We Inspect Railroad Track For

We serve the full range of rail-served industrial operations — paper mills, aggregate facilities, chemical plants, transload terminals, manufacturing facilities, lumber operations, food processing plants, and short-line railroads. If product moves on rail and the track needs to be documented, we are equipped to inspect it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a railroad track inspection typically take?
Duration depends on the length and complexity of the track. A standard industrial siding of several hundred feet can typically be walked, measured, and documented in two to four hours. Longer or more complex track systems — multiple leads, numerous switches, or extensive yard track — take proportionally longer. We discuss expected time requirements before scheduling every inspection.
What happens after we receive the inspection report?
Your written report includes a prioritized deficiency list. Immediate safety concerns — defects that pose a risk to safe operations — should be addressed before normal car movements resume. Scheduled maintenance items can be addressed within a planned maintenance window. We remain available after report delivery to answer questions, clarify findings, and support your remediation planning.
Can you inspect track that is actively being used for car movements?
Inspections are typically conducted when track is accessible and car movements are not actively occurring. We coordinate with your facility and your Class I carrier to schedule inspections during operational windows that minimize disruption. For active yards with multiple tracks, we work section by section to avoid interfering with ongoing operations.
What distinguishes your inspection report from what our Class I railroad produces?
Our reports use the same FRA classification methodology a Class I inspector would apply, but they are produced for your benefit — not the railroad's. Our reports include the priority guidance, remediation context, and maintenance planning information that facilities need to act on findings effectively. Class I inspection reports, when they are shared at all, are produced for the carrier's operational purposes.
Do you inspect track for property transactions involving rail-served facilities?
Yes. Pre-acquisition and pre-sale track inspections are an important service for buyers and sellers of rail-served industrial property. A professional inspection establishes the current condition of the track asset, identifies deferred maintenance obligations, and provides the capital cost context needed for informed transaction negotiations. We recommend scheduling this inspection as early in the due diligence process as practical.

Schedule a Railroad Track Inspection

Contact us to discuss your track, your timeline, and what a professional inspection program looks like for your operation.

Request an Inspection (704) 321-0802