Pointer Smith
On Track to Success with Railroad Excellence

Class I, short-line railroads, private and industrial facilities all entail distinct sets of requirements, with the nuances of each presenting challenges that only a select few companies truly grasp. Pointer Smith is one such company that positions itself at the crossroads of these distinct yet interconnected worlds—delivering railway construction and maintenance solutions to ensure railroads safely navigate the modern age.

With specialized services spanning all aspects of rail construction and maintenance, Pointer Smith brings over three decades of experience to a diverse client base including petrochemical companies, paper manufacturers, government entities and private facilities in the Gulf Coast region. Its deep understanding of these sectors’ unique needs ensures stringent adherence to safety and efficiency standards.

On the facilities maintenance front, many companies typically rely on an internal maintenance team to manage all their facility needs—from specific plant system repairs to building maintenance to their railway infrastructure. These individuals often lack the specialized knowledge to address specific rail issues and are unsure of how to initiate repairs or where to source materials. With Pointer Smiths’ local resources and depth of experienced management, tasks like these can be easily addressed, safely and readily repaired to get the track back into service. The company promptly responds to such situations within a 24-hour window. This proficiency and reliability allow clients to minimize downtime and quickly resume operations, safeguarding the uninterrupted functionality of their transportation networks.

Not just that, Pointer Smith conducts regular inspections of clients’ facilities and tracks infrastructure to ensure compliance with federal regulations. These inspections help identify current, short- and long-term maintenance needs. Employing Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-trained track inspectors, it proactively identifies potential issues to prevent escalation. Pointer Smith collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive maintenance plans that include immediate and future corrective actions, reducing emergencies and potential derailments.

“Our team is the heart of our operations, bringing a wealth of experience across various specialized industries,” says Andrew Wilson, president. “When a customer conveys a need for repairs or specific issues addressed, our team engages in thorough internal discussions. This collaborative process ensures we provide value engineering feedback and share our comprehensive knowledge to deliver our clients cost effective solutions.”

Using the data from these inspections, Pointer Smith assists clients in customized budget planning to help them allocate funds for immediate needs and for projected expenses 3 to 6 months or even a year down the line. Such planning is vital for maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing rail downtime, which is crucial given that many clients depend heavily on rail to import and export their products. Even a single day of downtime can result in significant financial losses compared to the relatively minor costs of regular maintenance.

Pointer Smith’s services also extend to supporting infrastructure expansions, which include the installation of specialized equipment such as new pipe racks for loading or transloading materials. It assists clients with new regulatory requirements, such as implementing spill containment measures, wash racks or installing scales. This holistic approach ensures that clients can steer the complexities of rail infrastructure management confidently and efficiently.

Its dedication to collaboration and expertise becomes evident in scenarios where practical solutions are paramount. For instance, when a facility was confronted with the challenge of installing a transloading location in a constrained space, its in-depth comprehension of Class I standards proved invaluable. Pointer Smith worked hand-in-hand with the facility’s team to ingeniously redesign the layout. This strategic move optimized space utilization offered improved loading efficiency and aligned with Class I requirements, averting the initiation of an extensive, costly construction project that would have necessitated substantial revisions. This adept intervention led to considerable resource savings and circumvented likely delays and additional costs, showcasing its adeptness in translating their capabilities into tangible results.

The company’s goal is to be a one-stop shop for expert guidance on rail infrastructure work. For clients striving to adeptly navigate and execute rail infrastructure projects, Pointer Smith stands as a reliable ally.