Machinations at the Switch

This article describes how much attention in the rail supply community has been focused on U.S. railroads' drive to implement positive train control (PTC) by the end of the 2015 calendar year. But PTC isn't grabbing much of the attention switch machine suppliers use these days to stay abreast of rail industry trends. Instead, they're focusing more on ensuring that tried-and-true machines remain in tune with North American railroads' needs, dependability and affordability, while simultaneously trying to develop new machinery or features. Customers are always looking for equipment that is cost effective, reliable and easy to maintain. However, they also are increasingly interest in machines that incorporate next-generation “smart” systems, such as self-diagnostic capabilities. Pairing proven equipment with advanced features such as light emitting diode (LED) diagnostics, modular designs and components that are simultaneously lighter and more robust will all play a role in reducing maintenance costs, avoiding system down time and boosting operational efficiency. C&S Railroad officials might be distracted at times with the complexities and capital demands of implementing PTC, but they still consider switch products as a vital part of their operational needs. Because they're a rail industry supply staple, switch machines typically sell steadily in good and bad times and demand was largely unaffected by the recent market downturn. However, some suppliers registered significant sales growth in 2010 after a long period of relatively flat sales. Customers are shifting their purchases toward products that reduce failures and, ultimately, train delays.