crosstie check in 2012
Boatright Companies’ new crosstie production plant that is currently under construction in Clanton, Ala. Niederberger says the mild weather pattern experienced for most of 2012 really helped spur solid green tie production from the sawmill industry and the raw material production has allowed the growth of tie inventories to meet the strong customer demand. “The untreated tie market is pretty much in sync between supply and demand,” he explains. “This situation should keep overall wood raw material prices relatively stable heading into the new year, providing there isn’t a significant weather event heading into winter.” National Salvage and Service Corporation is a treated wood railroad track product and service provider, specializing in providing “cradle-to-grave” products and services to the railroads, starting with the removal of used crossties, continuing with the recovery of assets through re-sale of ties, as well as grinding of spent ties for fuel and then, restoration of track through its supply of new ties and other treated wood track products. National provides oak and selected hardwood borate/creosote dual treated (BCDT), creosote only treated (COT) and copper napthenate (CuNap) treated crossties, switch ties, crossing and bridge approach ties, crossing panels and bridge ties and timbers. Additionally, the company offers crosstie pre-plating, rail changeout and new tie hi-rail distribution services throughout North and South America. “Business is booming and as a result, the treating plants we are working with are treating ties 24/7,” explained Jeffrey Broadfoot, vice president of sales, marketing and business development at National Salvage and Service Corporation and president of the Railway Tie Association for 2012. “The tie recycling side of our business has also increased dramatically over last year. We are on track for doubled sales and estimate we will remove, recover and restore approximately seven million ties this year. The railroads continue to accelerate their orders from last year, especially for borate/creosote dual-treated ties. Also, we are seeing more copper napthenate treated ties being specified and used by the railroads, especially by the Class 1s. NS has approved CuNap treated ties and some other Class 1s and shortlines are also currently evaluating CuNap, as well as other alternatives to standard creosote only treated ties.” He notes the company’s regional, shortline, commuter and contractor business is also very strong. National currently has agreements with four class 1s to remove and recycle their used ties. Many of the challenges the company faces is finding enough track time, cars and locomotive power to move the quantity of used and scrap ties since freight receives the priority. In order to help, National is now leasing its own large fleet of gondola and centerbeam cars in order to help move the ties. “On the new tie side, we have vastly increased our sales,” Broadfoot said. “Treated wood crossties and switch ties are installed in 94 percent of all tracks in North America for good reason–they work and they work well. The majority of these ties have been in track for 30–plus years and when they finally need replacing, the railroads use what they know works best for them and for their particular application.” Only a few short years ago, National had only two or three different ways of treating ties. Today, with the advent of new wood preserving technologies and enhancements to treating, such as dual 20 Railway Track & Structures
October 2012
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