True Rail Enterprises
Shaping the Future of Rail Asset Management

As one of the most asset-intensive industries in the world, the American rail industry invests nearly $23 billion in asset maintenance to ensure safe operations, according to a report by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Yet, downtime in repair yards, exacerbated by the waiting period for crucial parts, results in extended service gaps.

Time, as they say, is money. The prolonged dwell times—intervals between railcar withdrawals and their return to the tracks—translate to rail companies bleeding dollars with every ticking minute.

The sight of rail cars sitting in repair shops, rather than being out on the tracks generating revenue, is a sore point to any rail operator.

Here lies the mission of True Rail Enterprises—to significantly expedite the maintenance process.

Striking a delicate balance between reducing dwell times and maintaining a high standard of work quality, True Rail has carved its niche, earning accolades for high customer satisfaction and best-in-class safety ratings.

“Every client, upon entering our facilities, is invariably impressed by the streamlined efficiency and professionalism displayed. Our commitment to superior service not only meets but often surpasses industry benchmarks,” says Mark Smith, CEO, reinforcing the company’s standards.

Breaking away from the conventional mold of a typical repair facility and serving a clientele that includes every major class one railroad and the largest rail car owners globally, True Rail has become the gold standard in the industry.

Leaders in Automated Brake Testing

Many factors contribute to True Rail’s ability to expedite processes while delivering consistent results, but a notable credit goes to its early adoption of automated brake testing.

Substantial initial investments catapulted the company ahead of the curve, enabling a smooth transition and early mastery of this advanced system, particularly during the changeover of numerous rail cars.

True Rail’s foray into this specialized service has also made it a sought-after entity in the market, as inquiries about automated testing are often preliminary questions from every potential client today.

From automated brake testing to the deployment of mobile units, complemented by a highly skilled workforce, True Rail exhibits proficiency across a diverse range of rail cars—from steel to aluminum.

More importantly, True Rail undertakes a breadth of work other shops often shy away from. The scope of services extends to wheel work, truck work, brake systems, and all associated components. With capabilities in fabrication, welding, and steelwork, there’s no project deemed too big or small.

This expansive service offering underscores True Rail’s willingness and aptitude to tackle a wide array of projects, underpinning its position as a versatile and reliable partner in the rail industry.

A Well-Managed Inventory

Every aspect of True Rail’s operations is tailored to minimize the maintenance downtime of railcars. Harboring a robustly managed inventory coupled with the capacity to fabricate parts in-house, the company significantly expedites the return of railcars to service, curbing financial setbacks for clients.

True Rail maintains a large vast inventory, encompassing commonly used parts and ensuring its steady stockpile.

Parts are kept for damaged and “bad ordered” cars, wheel sets, brake systems, body and structural components, doors, trucks, rust repair, and re-stencil and marking of cars.

Even amid global supply chain disruptions, manufacturing lags, and transportation hurdles, the company’s commitment to maintaining an ample stock of these parts has been noteworthy.

To bolster inventory, the company has been securing complete production runs from select vendors and acquiring entire batches of specific parts, elevating its readiness to serve customers swiftly and more effectively.

But when confronted with extended lead times or limited availability, True Rail’s in-house fabrication facility lends an exceptional capability to manufacture parts.

Equipped with an array of fabrication equipment such as a CNC plasma table, press brake, saws, ironworker, mill, lathe, and various other shop tools, the facility creates many ‘hard to get’ parts, showcasing self-sufficiency.

Accreditations that Build Trust

All Class I railroads require AAR certifications from their maintenance providers to ensure safety, compliance with industry standards, quality, and environmental responsibility. True Rail holds full AAR M-1003 certification, along with various other certifications, including AAR-certified B-25, B-26, B-28, M-992 Satellite Repair Facility, M-1003 Quality Assurance Facility, Multi-Level Rack Inspectors, and S-486 Air Brake certifications.

True Rail upholds its commitment to safety through rigorous audits, both self-imposed and by external entities like the AAR.

“These certifications from the AAR encompass all required aspects, from routine preventive maintenance work to comprehensive wreck rebuilds, which helps us attract many clients,” says Brent Freeland, VP of Sales.

Driving Innovation with Can-Do Culture

Another aspect frequently appreciated by clients is True Rail’s Carman Training Center. The center elevates training through regular sessions covering a broad spectrum of topics—from safety protocols to ensuring adherence to the latest AAR requirements for repairs, as well as staying abreast of prevailing industry standards.

The team cultivates a ‘can do’ culture, empowering its employees to be proactive self-starters. This climate underscores a commitment to upholding high standards and expectations, fostering a sense of accountability among the staff.

The positive ramifications of these efforts resonate in the consistent client satisfaction, often echoed in favorable word-of-mouth references. For instance, a client with around 600 railcars in storage required urgent retrieval and servicing. With its mobile crews and units at the helm, the True Rail team rose to the occasion, traveling approximately three hours to their location. Executing the requisite repairs swiftly, the team facilitated the prompt return of railcars to service, cementing the trust and satisfaction among clientele.

On the Tracks to Expansion

Last year marked a significant milestone for the company with the acquisition of 62 acres of land, laying the foundation for its dedicated rail yard. The ambitious objective is to have the first phase, encompassing approximately 11,000 feet of tracks, operational by the end of the forthcoming year.

In alignment with its growth blueprint, True Rail is broadening its footprint beyond its primary abode in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee. A growing presence has already been established in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and in the ensuing months, a potential expansion will encompass a new location in Kentucky.

This strategic expansion not only augments the network with a new location but robustly enhances its service delivery.

At the core, the standards of True Rail Enterprises are encapsulated in its name. True to the customer, true to the work, true to safety, and true to our word.