L.B. Foster Announces Single-Source Friction Management Services for Short Line and Industrial Rail Markets

Friction management is one of the best tools available to railroads and industrial rail lines to extend wheel and rail life, increase fuel savings, mitigate noise, and improve rail vehicle performance. The Company offers wayside equipment and consumables such as gauge face grease and advanced top-of-rail lubricants, as well as maintenance and monitoring programs through its expert mobile field services team. These products and services can be provided a la carte or through a bundled service agreement.

According to Shayne Meyers, Commercial Manager, L.B. Foster Friction Management, “We’ve seen an increase in customers within this segment of the rail market requiring more bundled services which can save them time and money over the course of their program. These types of agreements allow us to design a program specific to each customer that focuses on the health of their rail assets, whether it be a short line or industrial facility, or really anything that is rail served.” 

The Company continues to add industrial facilities such as chemical, power plant and manufacturing to its expanding customer base. “Our relationship with industrials continues to grow and we’ve gained positive feedback on the convenience of our program which is positioning us as a single-source provider to this customer segment,” continues Meyers.

L.B. Foster’s team of engineers, R&D product specialists, and field services personnel develop industry leading technology that addresses the continuing need for friction management in wheel and rail wear. The Company currently services approximately 40,000 miles of track throughout North America.