Railroad Track Stabilization

GeoStabilization International® is a global leader in railroad track soil stabilization and geohazard control. The company’s innovative solutions have been critical to the success of railroad operations and infrastructure across North America, including rail tracks, rail spur tracks, railway tunnels, and more.

Time-Sensitive Rail Spur Stabilization in the Northern Plains

An international railway company maintaining a large through fill in the Northern Plains contracted GeoStabilization International® for a slope stabilization project. The fill had been experiencing continued erosion and was starting to slough in on itself, endangering the nearby rail spur and other critical infrastructure.

In an attempt to stabilize the slope, railroad maintenance forces had built retaining walls in the upper section of the fill. These structures consisted of large boulders retained by timber piles, which had initially provided some stabilization. However, the timber piles had become less stable over time as they began to rotate, and they sustained damage from local grass fires.

Experts from GeoStabilization International® were on site within 24 hours of the initial call to assess the terrain and devise a custom soil stabilization plan. The project presented unique challenges. Access to the site was limited: GeoStabilization’s engineers and technicians could only enter the affected area over the tracks on either end.

The short work timeframes further complicated the task. As the rail spur had to remain operational throughout the project, GeoStabilization’s teams could only work in 15-minute increments when the tracks were clear. This meant that conventional slope stabilization using drilled soil nails, which require extended downtime and would destabilize the track during installation, was not feasible.

Using Soil Nail Technology for Railroad Track Stabilization

To keep the track safe and operational and ensure rapid project completion, GeoStabilization’s engineers deployed the company’s proprietary Soil Nail Launcher™. This technology stabilizes natural and constructed slopes by launching closely spaced steel nails into the ground.

Unlike traditional ground anchor solutions, the Soil Nail Launcher™ uses compressed air to launch soil nails as long as 20 feet at speeds reaching 250 mph. The reload times of 90-120 seconds allow GeoStabilization’s technicians to insert multiple nails into the ground in extremely short increments.

Additionally, this method doesn’t require open-hole drilling or waiting for grout to set. The nails can accept load immediately after launching, with minimal ground disturbance. This enables expedited installation and regular train flow with no downtime or safety concerns.

GeoStabilization’s teams used the Soil Nail Launcher™ to insert soil nails on both sides of the track and reinforced them with additional shotcrete facing. The rapid installation minimized track closures, and all trains ran on schedule.

GeoStabilization International®: The Leader in Railroad Track and Rail Spur Stabilization

GeoStabilization’s industry-leading soil stabilization and ground improvement solutions are the go-to choice for railroad owners and operators across North America.

The company’s innovative technologies, such as the Soil Nail Launcher™ and RailJET® – a modified jet grouting process specifically for railroad soft-subgrade soil stabilization – are faster, more effective, and more economical than traditional solutions like piling, caissons, and retaining walls.

Call 855-579-0536 to discuss your needs and learn more about GeoStabilization’s railroad solutions.

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If you are interested in a no-obligation site visit to determine if our services fit your geohazard mitigation needs, call us at 855-579-0536 or fill out our contact form.

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    How Can We Help?

    • Personal Info
    • Contact Info
    • Project Info

    How Can We Help?

    • Personal Info
    • Contact Info
    • Project Info