The recent AAR Damage Prevention Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, brought together industry leaders focused on one goal, winning new railroad customers and identifying the next wave of growth opportunities in North American rail freight.
Today’s railroads face challenges that limit their competitiveness with trucking: railcar size and capacity constraints, securement limitations, and the growing expectation for “Amazon-style logistics” — fast, trackable, and precisely timed deliveries.
To meet these expectations, the rail industry is investing heavily in solutions that add value for shippers. One key area of focus: improving cargo securement and safety standards to make rail a more attractive, efficient, and reliable mode of transport.
At the event, Cordstrap’s Director of Rail, Scott Loudon, joined an expert panel alongside Open Top Rules Committee members Mitch McDonald, Brent Lichty, and Lindy Pope.
Their mission: to help potential shippers understand how design and packaging decisions made early in the manufacturing process can influence rail readiness — and how to ensure products can travel safely by rail without damage.
Scott shared practical insights and examples from real-world projects, including shipments of heavy equipment, buses, cement trucks, mobile homes, scissor lifts, and even bales of rolled hay.
He explained how Cordstrap’s North American Rail Team, now made up of 15 dedicated field experts, supports customers through every stage of the process — providing on-site demonstrations, training, and AAR-compliant securement solutions tailored to their cargo and operating conditions.
Scott emphasized that growth and safety must go hand in hand.
Cordstrap’s role is to help new customers unlock the value of rail shipping by guiding them through AAR approvals and optimizing load efficiency and compliance.
Cordstrap takes a consultative approach to every partnership, leveraging a dedicated testing center where real-world rail conditions can be simulated. This enables the development of custom load plans that comply with AAR General Rules — giving customers confidence and peace of mind before their first shipment even leaves the yard.
This collaborative model goes beyond sales — it builds long-term partnerships rooted in trust, technical excellence, and safety.
Cordstrap continues to invest in people and expertise to support customers wherever they operate. With a team of 15 rail field experts strategically located across North America, Cordstrap provides rapid, local support — from site training and technical demonstrations to custom load testing and approval assistance.
This network ensures that every customer can access hands-on expertise and AAR-compliant solutions designed to make rail freight a safe, efficient, and cost-effective part of their logistics strategy.
Interested in exploring rail freight for your business? Contact our team today to learn how Cordstrap can help you ship safely, efficiently, and with confidence.
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