The Right Product for the Right Customer: How Innovation and Customer Support Drove Rail Success

When a major U.S. precast concrete manufacturer needed to ship underground concrete tunnel sections across the country by rail, they turned to Cordstrap for guidance. Our expertise in AAR-approved load securement and proven customer support helped them move from concept to execution — safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

 

Asking the Right Questions

From the start, Cordstrap took a consultative approach.
Our team met with both the manufacturer and their railroad representative to understand key details: cargo strength, dimensions, weight, and the type of railcar being used.

With that information, we developed a custom load plan that would allow the customer and the railroad to evaluate Cordstrap’s Cordlash system for their tunnel section shipments.

 

Refining the Plan

After further review and a yard visit, Cordstrap worked with the customer to refine the method for even greater stability.

We proposed using interlocking CC105 composite strapping, with half-loop lashings securing each row to the railcar. This design improved both load integrity and ease of application at the loading site — key factors for large, heavy cargo like precast concrete tunnel rings.

 

Winning the Order

The final load plan was submitted and approved by both the manufacturer and the railroad.
Cordstrap was awarded a blanket order to supply materials for 46 railcars.

Our technical expertise, responsive customer service, and hands-on field support — backed by Cordstrap Training — ensured that the first seven cars were loaded successfully and safely alongside the customer’s team.

 

Plans for the Future

Following this success, the customer now plans to continue shipping concrete components by rail using Cordstrap systems. A second project is already in development, and they’ve committed to using Cordstrap products for all future shipments.

This partnership reflects the strength of Cordstrap’s approach — combining innovation, compliance, and customer collaboration to deliver long-term value in rail load securement.

Looking for expert support on your next rail project? Contact our team today.