Case Study: Large Undercutter Project Completed During Tight Holiday Shut Down

Scope

The railroad scheduled a one-week maintenance shut down on their coal line’s main artery to coincide with a holiday closing period for the coal companies. The environment for this artery is particularly prone to mud fouling, and as a result a large segment of the stretch required undercutting.

The railroad needed experienced, trained undercutter operators who could provide the high-quality work needed for this critical segment of their rail network and complete it during a tight shut-down period.

Solution

Hulcher Services responded to this challenge with two excavator / undercutters and two support track hoes. Hulcher operators cleaned out the mud and fouled ballast as the rail gangs followed to drop and tamp new ballast and perform other maintenance-of-way work. Because of the schedule, crews worked days and evenings to complete the undercutting.

Outcome

After six days Hulcher’s underutters had cleaned the entire stretch of track on this important artery, allowing the railroad to finish its project in the crucial one-week window. The railroad was extremely pleased that this stretch of track, which accounts for a significant portion of their business in the region, was clean, safe and ready for use when the coal companies returned to their operations following the holiday.

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