Railway Derails & Rerailers
SafeRack’s Railcar Derail Systems provide a critical safety solution for preventing unauthorized or accidental railcar movement in loading terminals. Designed for maximum reliability and compliance, these systems help protect workers, equipment, and infrastructure by ensuring controlled railcar operations.
OSHA, FRA, and DOT regulations require derail protection for all active rail sidings
At SafeRack, we’re committed to providing top-of-the-line bulk loading solutions, which include an essential element of railway safety—railway derails and rerailers. SafeRack offers Aldon’s derails and retailers, and over the years with our full range of railcar products, we’ve earned the trust of our esteemed clients through the exceptional quality and performance of our railway equipment.
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Hinged Railroad Derails
Two-Way Hinged Railroad Derails
When stopping a freight car or locomotive is critical, derails serve as emergency stopping devices, guiding wheels off the rail to prevent unauthorized movement. OSHA mandates derails on industrial sidings to block locomotive entry before railcars are removed, enhancing worksite safety and compliance.
Hinged derails can be easily lifted on and off the rail manually or with our Lifting Lever. The blue derail sign operates separately, with an option to upgrade to a Pop-up Sign Holder for One-Way or Two-Way derails for added visibility and convenience.
Freight Car Derail
Designed for freight cars and 4-axle locomotives at speeds of 5 mph or less. Not compatible with 6-axle locomotives.
Options:
- Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-03
- Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-14
Locomotive Derail
Low-angle deflection bar accommodates the longer wheelbase of 6-axle locomotives. Compatible with 6-axle and 4-axle locomotives as well as freight cars, designed for speeds of 10 mph or less.
Options:
- Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-18
- Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-20
One-Way Hinged Railroad Derails
Derails serve as critical emergency stopping devices, designed to safely guide the wheels of a freight car or locomotive off the rails to prevent unauthorized movement. OSHA regulations mandate derails on industrial sidings to block locomotive entry until railcars are ready for removal, ensuring compliance and worksite safety.
Hinged derails can be manually lifted on and off the rail or operated with the Derail Lifting Lever. The blue derail sign is adjusted separately by hand, with an optional Pop-up Sign Holder available for One-Way or Two-Way derails to enhance visibility.
Designed for use on wooden ties, these derails accommodate 4-axle and 6-axle locomotives and freight cars operating at speeds of 10 mph or less.
Left Throw Derail
Options:
- Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-01
- Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-10
Right Throw Derail
Options:
- Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-02
- Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-12
Portable Railroad Derails
Formed-steel housing • Tool free installation • Tie-biting anchor hooks.
Hinged derails can be easily lifted on and off the rail manually or with our Lifting Lever. The blue derail sign operates separately, with an option to upgrade to a Pop-up Sign Holder for One-Way or Two-Way derails for added visibility and convenience.
Single-Direction
For all locomotives and all freight cars. Rails 90-142 Ibs./yd., 10 mph or less
Options:
Left Throw – 4014-06-S
Right Throw – 4014-07-S
Two-Direction
For all locomotives and all freight cars.
Rails 100-142 Ibs./yd., 10 mph or less
4014-08-S
For 4-axle locomotives and freight cars.
Rails 100-142 Ibs./yd., 5 mph or less
4014-09-S
LIGHTWEIGHT: Easy to carry
Rerailers for Locomotive & Freight Cars
Rerailer for Steel Mill Cars – The Big Red
Our BIG RED Rerailers are constructed from high-strength alloy steel, designed to support the weight of up to 450-ton railcars or locomotives.
For secure placement, a safety chain is required to anchor the rerailers to the rail.
To ensure proper operation, both an inside and an outside rerailer must be used. Big Red Rerailers are sold separately and must be used in pairs for effective railcar re-railing.
Straddle Type Freight Car Rerailers
Straddle-Type Freight Car Rerailers
Designed for standard-size freight cars and locomotives, these cast-steel rerailers efficiently guide all wheels back onto the track with a single placement. A chain and hook system ensures a secure hold to the rails, providing stability and reliability during rerailing operations.
McCarty Freight Car Rerailers
A proven, time-tested design for two-way rerailing of locomotives and heavy freight cars, these cast-steel rerailers securely straddle two ties and hook onto the rail head for stability.
Featuring sturdy carrying handles at each end, they rest alongside the ties to prevent sliding as the wheel mounts the ramp. No wedges or spiking are required—simply clear some gravel away from the ties and hook the rerailers onto the rail for quick, efficient use.
“Burlington” Style Freight Car Rerailer
Designed for standard-size freight cars, these double-ended “Burlington” style rerailers use clamps and wedges to lock securely onto the rails, preventing slipping or displacement during rerailing. A complete setup requires one Inside and one Outside rerailer, which can be reversed and repositioned to accommodate various derailment scenarios.
Your Full-Service Partner for
Railcar Terminal Loading Design & Compliance
– More Than Superior Products –
- On-Site Safety Assessments
Complimentary evaluations to identify risks, ensure compliance, and improve workflow efficiency. - Proprietary Configurator
Save time and costs with same-day 3D renderings, loading terminal layout drawings, and budgetary quotes—all with built in compliance and efficiency.
- Compliance and Productivity Optimization
Expert design support to meet safety regulations while streamlining operations and reducing downtime. - Large Project Consultation
Collaboration with your team to design loading platform solutions that meet regulations and facility needs.
At SafeRack, we understand the importance of rail safety and compliance.
Our team of experts provides on-site safety evaluations to assess the best safety solutions for your facility. Whether you need derails, railcar loading platforms, or full fall protection solutions, SafeRack offers industry-leading products and expertise to keep your operations safe and compliant.
The Importance of Derails in Rail Safety
Derails are important safety devices designed to prevent unauthorized movement of locomotives and railcars. Whether it’s a single runaway car or an unintended coupling, a derail can help stop accidents before they happen. Derails function by lifting the flange of a car wheel off the rail, guiding it away, and stopping or help preventing further movement. These devices help maintain safe rail operations, especially in industrial environments.
Why Use Derails?
Rail safety is a serious concern, and derails provide an essential layer of protection. They help prevent:
- Loose railcars from rolling onto the mainline, which can cause catastrophic accidents.
- Collisions between rolling cars on spur tracks.
- Unauthorized locomotive coupling to stationary railcars.
These safety issues are common in facilities where railcars are frequently loaded, unloaded, or staged. Without proper precautions, unexpected movement can lead to costly damage, injuries, or even fatalities.
Best Practices for Effective Derail Use
For derails to work as intended, several factors must be considered:
- Proper Size and Installation
- The derail must be correctly sized to match the rail and wheel dimensions.
- It must be securely installed to ensure effectiveness in stopping a railcar.
- Appropriate Speed Limits
- Derails are most effective when used with normal switching speeds. Excessive speeds may reduce their ability to stop movement effectively.
- Track Conditions
- The derailed wheels should be able to sink into the ballast and ties to maximize stopping power.
- The track where the derail is installed should be in good condition to handle derailment forces.
- Sufficient Stopping Distance
- A derailed car may travel a full car length before stopping, depending on its speed and weight.
- Installation on the Correct Rail
- On curved tracks, derails should be installed on the outside rail, as wheels naturally hug this side when rounding a curve. This increases the likelihood of the wheel climbing over the derail.
- If the derail must be installed on the inside rail, a Side Kick Derail Booster should be used on the opposite rail to enhance effectiveness.
- Correct Derail Direction
- For one-way derails, the throw direction determines which side the railcar will divert to. This is determined from the perspective of an approaching car or locomotive.
Regulatory Requirements for Derail Usage
Derails are not just a best practice; they are mandated under several safety regulations:
- OSHA Standards
- 1910.261(c)
- 1910.176(f) (specifically for pulp and paper cars)
- DOT Pamphlet #34
- Addresses the safe loading and unloading of tank cars.
- FRA Regulations
- Chapter 11, #218.25 specifically requires the use of derails when work crews are on or near the tracks.
Compliance with these regulations ensures that rail safety standards are met, reducing liability and improving overall workplace safety.