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June 2026
Compiled by Michael Popke
The Brandt OTM Tracker is an on-track material handler built for maintenance-of-way (MOW) operations. When integrated with the Brandt R5 Power Unit, the machine can smoothly transition from highway transport to the top of rail cars at any grade crossing, company officials said in an email. It moves between cars to manage track maintenance materials and perform MOW tasks.
The OTM Tracker features eight stabilizing clamps — with a minimum of four engaged consistently and all eight engaged when handling material — designed to keep the unit secured to the top of a rail car at all times. A detachable remote control allows operators to perform the traversing process from the ground at a safe distance from the machine. Onboard cameras provide additional situational awareness, helping reduce risk and minimize downtime, company officials said.
A walking beam undercarriage enables the OTM Tracker to climb onto gondola cars up to 12.5 feet high and transition between cars with up to 16 inches of height difference. Optional squat clamps lower the unit’s profile for additional clearance under bridges and in tunnels. The grapple and magnet combination handles a range of materials (including ties, rail spikes and plates), while an optional bucket attachment supports ballast distribution.
The OTM Tracker is built on a John Deere excavator platform, and components are widely available and serviceable at dealerships across North America, company officials said.
Omaha Track Equipment (OTE) is expanding its North American presence by offering enhanced rail maintenance solutions, increasing fleet support capabilities and providing a broader range of rail-ready vehicles to serve Class Is, short lines, contractors, transit agencies and MOW professionals, company officials said.
OTE provides a wide range of equipment engineered for durability, efficiency and rail compliance. Its hi-rail lineup includes light-duty trucks, section trucks, material handlers, rotary dump trucks, mechanic’s trucks and custom vehicles designed for demanding infrastructure projects.
Working closely with manufacturers and customers, OTE develops customized fleet solutions that improve productivity while meeting strict safety and operational standards, said Matthew Anderson, the company’s senior sales executive.
OTE also offers refurbished and rental fleet options to support both short-term projects and long-term fleet expansion; each unit is thoroughly inspected and backed by experienced service professionals, company officials said.
OTE also provides replacement parts, technical support and equipment sourcing services to help customers maximize fleet performance and service life. Supporting applications range from track construction, inspection, condition testing and signal maintenance to track welding options and emergency response.
RailWorks Corp. offers a range of track maintenance and inspection services to meet the diverse needs of the Class I, short line, transit and industrial freight-rail sectors in the United States and Canada.
RailWorks has expanded its fleet of Narrow Head Flash Butt trucks equipped with a 70-ton weld head, adding to its existing fleet of standard in-track welders. The head requires only 8 feet of clearance to perform a weld; the design enables RailWorks to safely make close clearance welds around the frog, switch points and other close clearance assets — tasks that typically are completed with thermite welds, company officials said.
The trucks are equipped with a 25-foot extendable crane to maximize reach and enable welding adjacent to or on track with fewer moves. The units operate with a remote monitoring system that allows for observation of real-time weld data.
RailWorks also collaborates with clients to develop customized maintenance schedules to minimize downtime, prevent disruptions and optimize asset performance.
Vancer continues to support railroads and contractors with purpose-built equipment designed to maximize productivity in the field, company officials said. Its solutions are tailored for ballast work, vegetation management and critical track maintenance during peak seasons.
Vancer’s Hi-Rail Excavator lineup, including the compact CHX06 and the larger CHX30 and CHX35 models, is designed to offer the versatility to complete precision work in tight corridors and heavy-duty ballast and ditching operations. The CBL20 Hi-Rail Backhoe & Huddig provides efficient mobility between job sites and enables crews to respond quickly to changing maintenance demands, company officials said.
Vancer’s machines can be equipped with ballast cribbers, cold-air blowers, mulchers and brush cutters to tackle tasks such as ballast regulation, vegetation clearing, drainage maintenance and right-of-way upkeep. The company also offers a full lineup of cart options, including tow carts, ballast carts, tie carts and other specialized solutions.
Western States Railroad Solutions offers a range of service capabilities centered around hi-rail equipment that is built to perform in demanding environments. Machines such as the 325 hi-rail excavator provide users with the power and precision required to maintain and repair critical track infrastructure, company officials said.
With 24/7 response capabilities, the company’s team of experienced technicians can mobilize quickly, bringing technical expertise, parts support and service directly to jobsites, Western States officials said.
Loram’s Aurora® inspection service line applies automated imaging, X-ray and data analytics to help railroads assess track condition and plan maintenance programs with greater consistency and precision, company officials said. Mounted on hi-rail vehicles, Aurora systems are designed to collect detailed, location-referenced data on wood and concrete ties, fasteners and rail conditions at operating speeds, supporting network-level visibility without requiring manual, tie-by-tie inspection.
The Aurora platform uses machine-vision technology to evaluate surface conditions on each tie and identify characteristics such as cracking, plate cutting, surface wear and decay in wood ties, as well as rail-seat deterioration and fastener condition in concrete ties. For wood ties, Aurora Xi® extends these capabilities by incorporating backscatter X-ray technology to assess internal tie condition, including splits, voids and other forms of degradation not visible at the surface. Combining surface and internal data allows each tie to be assigned a condition grade aligned to a railroad’s standards, Loram officials said.
Aurora inspection services also identify rail base corrosion by measuring changes in rail base geometry, particularly in environments where corrosion risk is elevated. Results are delivered through customizable reports that associate findings with milepost and GPS coordinates, support regulatory compliance reviews and prioritize maintenance activities based on measured condition rather than age alone.
Aurora Tie Marking builds on Aurora and Aurora Xi inspection data by automatically marking designated ties in advance of renewal programs. Using inspection-driven location data and vehicle-based guidance, the service supports more efficient tie replacement planning while providing an auditable record of marked assets, company officials said.
RCE Equipment Solutions designs and manufactures purpose-built equipment engineered for rail construction and maintenance operations, including the Railavator®, a hi-rail excavator equipped with the company’s patented hydraulic retractable hi-rail system.
Railavators can transition on and off the track in less than 30 seconds, helping crews maximize productivity during tight maintenance windows, company officials said. Available in multiple machine sizes and compatible with more than 20 specialized attachments, the Railavator platform supports applications ranging from rail handling and tie work to brush cutting, undercutting, trenching, scrap pickup and ballast maintenance.
RCE also manufactures swing loaders, tie cranes, mag cranes, track booms, rail carts and custom attachments designed to improve safety, versatility and jobsite efficiency. In addition, the company provides hi-rail systems for multiple OEM machine platforms, enabling contractors and railroads to customize equipment to specific operational needs.
Moreover, the company continues to expand its technology offerings that are designed to improve jobsite awareness and crew safety. By incorporating advanced vision systems such as proximity detection, camera technology and customized machine controls, contractors can better support safe and productive rail operations, company officials said.
Michael Popke is a Madison, Wisconsin-based freelance writer.
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