Railroad shipments are increasing. The US Department of Transportation estimates that the amount of freight shipped on the rails will increase by 45% by 2040 — from 19.7 billion pounds in 2012 to 28.5 billion pounds in 2040 — taxing an already tenuous 140,490-mile railway system.
To make railway shipping more efficient, some have proposed raising truck weight limits from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds, but a 2015 DOT study concluded that no changes to existing truck size and weight limits should be made at this time.
At CIP, we think the conversation should be about the weight of the train, not its cargo.
CIP manufactures high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA) parts for locomotive and passenger cars, bogie axle structures, maintenance of way and the rail handling system.
These parts are as strong, or stronger, than current industry standard parts, but they are up to 25% lighter. That weight reduction means your trains will be able to carry more cargo and still be under the current truck weight limits.
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Ready to learn how CIP can help you with your component fabrication?