Hulcher Services Inc. Customer Service for Over 50 Years  Railroad Contractor Services
833-316-0035
24/7 EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PROJECTS - DISASTER & EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES

Hulcher Services Provides Disaster 
Response for Railroad's Tornado Damage

Hulcher Services Provides Disaster Response for Railroad's Tornado Damage

Scope:
Following a series of devastating tornados, one railroad found that nine miles of its track were buried in debris. A local neighborhood and large forest were torn apart by the storms, resulting in wreckage on the tracks as high as 20 feet. This debris made it impossible for rail crews to reach a badly damaged trestle bridge on this stretch.
Solution:
Hulcher Services deployed four Caterpillar® 325 excavators, a grapple truck and a Caterpillar® 977 track loader. The excavators and grapple truck attacked the debris from multiple directions to create access to both ends of the bridge. The track loader cleared and graded a 300-meter stretch along the right-of-way, creating a road to provide access to downed utility lines. The track loader also graded out parking lots for the railroad to park their trailers close to the bridge.

Trees and tree branches from the local forest were piled up as high as 20 feet on the right-of-way following the tornadoes, resulting in this disaster response project. Hulcher crews leveraged their disaster response expertise to coordinate with emergency officials and keep their work running smoothly and safely. Hulcher also displayed great sensitivity to the local community; on several occasions, with consent from the railroad, crews stopped their work to move large pieces of buildings for residents who were searching for personal possessions.
Outcome:
Hulcher crews cleared the track in less than four days, providing access to the bridge from the east and west. The new road and parking lots allowed work to begin on the bridge and downed power lines. The railroad appreciated the fact that Hulcher’s experienced crews needed little supervision so they could focus their attention on other aspects of the disaster clean-up.

Hulcher’s crews improved the situation not only for the railroad, but for the community. Their compassionate support for officials and local citizens helped the people in this area begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

RELATED PROJECTS

Share by: