How big is your market?
The rule of thumb is that you can't be competitive beyond 200 miles or one state line.  You should challenge that assumption.

• With common carrier trucking, you can reach over 1000 miles.
• With rail transport, you can go nationwide.
• That is the voice of experience speaking.

Here is some of my experience with common carrier trucking and rail transport.

From Atlanta to:

Berlin, NH  1250 miles, Common carrier truck This is a flat panel job in gray concrete. Click here or the image for  project description.	Phoenix, AZ   2000 Miles, Rail This is a jail module job  with hollowcore and spandrel panels. Click here or the image for project description.
Plymouth, NC  600 Miles,  Common carrier truck Architectural precast Click here or image for project description.	Fairmont, WV  600 miles,  Common carrier truck Buttress panel for  segmental, prestressed, post tensioned tank. Click here on on image for project description

• Common carrier truck hauls one-way, from you to the job.
• There is no backhaul in your freight bill
• Rates are low.  Owner-operators and major truck lines are in stiff competition.
• Loads will arrive at irregular times, so you will have to be prepared for that at the job.
• Rail transport will require a siding, unloading, and storage near the job.
• This extra cost is compensated by lower freight rates.  The breakeven point compared to contract trucking is 200-400 miles and about 1000 miles for common carrier trucking.
• Rail transport requires special tiedown and engineering.
• The railroad will require a engineered plan and will inspect all loads prior to shipment.
• Rail transport takes a surprising long transit time.
• Loads typically take 2 to 3 weeks transit time depending on distance.
• Arrival time is variable, thus a working inventory near the job is necessary.
• Good planning for production, storage, shipping and erection is key and critical.

• Design for the transport mode.  What does that mean?
• Design around road legal widths and weights
• Meet railroad requirements for load width, height, and center of balance.
• You will design to certain sizes, and frequently use lightweight mix designs.
• Expect additional production and erection costs to partly offset the freight savings.
• Do not try to ship commodity products long distance, buy them out locally
• Examples of commodity products are hollow core and double T's.
• Columns and any products set up on a flat bed will typically carry the freight.
• Originate rail freight
• If you have rail on your site, it will avoid extra handling.
• If you are served by a beltline or shortline railroad, they will mark up the normal tariff.

• Assist with estimating and quotation for first job you quote.
• This means a few days with your estimating staff and some carriers.
• Provide project management roles on successful bids.  Typical roles:
• Production and shipping planning
• Finding a good rail siding near the job
• Management of remote rail siding
• Buy out product that doesn't make sense to ship
• Provide an experienced PE to design railcar tie-down system and the loads.
• Design load system, tiedown system, dunnage, weight and balance, submittals to railroad.
• Supervise railroad required tests.
• Provide training to your staff.
• Train you engineer to provide rail shipping requirements.
• Train your operations staff in the project management methods that work.

Contact us

Home page

Credentials