Rail

Supporting clients with expert investigations, lab services, and risk management to enhance rail safety, performance, and system resilience

Rail industry clients turn to ESi for trusted support, leveraging our consultants’ decades of experience in leadership and technical roles across the sector. We partner with Class 1 railroads as well as shortline and regional operators, delivering targeted expertise in forensic investigation, lab services, and risk management. 

At ESi, our rail industry clients know they can count on us, whether they’re dealing with routine equipment issues or tackling high-stakes, large-loss derailments. When rapid response is needed, we act quickly, deploying expert teams to gather evidence, assess the scene, and conduct comprehensive failure analysis. Identifying root causes allows us to provide actionable insights that help clients resolve claims and strengthen safety protocols. 

Our in-house lab services extend our clients’ own research and testing capabilities, and include crashworthiness evaluations, component testing, materials analysis, and railway maintenance assessments. We also offer comprehensive track monitoring to ensure the safety and reliability of the rail system. By partnering closely with our clients, our rail team provides critical insights used to improve equipment performance, elevate safety, and extend the lifecycle of rail equipment. 

Risk management is at the core of everything we do. We team up with clients to identify, assess, and manage risks, leveraging our expertise in biomechanics, regulatory standards, and safety practices. Together, we streamline operations, build more resilient rail systems, and drive long-term success with a focus on safety, performance, and efficiency. 

 

Proven expertise and practical experience for the rail industry

Eric S. Hegi

Director, Senior Managing Consultant

ESi Rail Capabilities

  • Safety Training Programs
  • Civil, Structural, and Bridge Engineering Assessments
  • Component Evaluations
  • Derailment Cause Analysis
  • FELA - Federal Employers Liability Act Investigation
  • Fire and Explosion Inverstigations
  • Accident Reconstruction
  • Hazardous Materials Safety, Release, and Dispersion Analysis
  • Locomotive and Vehicle Data Analysis
  • Locomotive Electrical and Propulsion Systems Analysis
  • Material Analysis
  • Passenger and Transit Safety
  • Personal Injury Investigation
  • Product and Process Safety and Reliability Analysis
  • Vibration Anaysis
  • Reliability Modeling and Simulation
  • Warranty Analysis
  • Probabilistic Risk Assessments
  • Design Optimization

Rail Consultants

At ESi, we pride ourselves on our multidisciplinary approach. For every client engagement, we assemble a team with a diverse blend of technical expertise and industry experience to fulfill the distinct requirements of the project. Committed to the pursuit of excellence, our consultants master best practices and have been instrumental in defining industry standards, resulting in exceptional service and valuable insights.

Discover how our technical expertise transforms complexity into clarity.