Since railroads emerged in the early 19th century, they have rapidly transformed transportation and commerce. Today, the United States has the largest freight rail network in the world, with a total length of over 140,000 miles of private and public railroads.
Over the years, Horrocks has developed a broad range of engineering and transportation services to meet the needs of our clients, and we are proud to announce that we now offer Freight Rail services as part of our ongoing mission to build better communities. With this goal in mind, we recently onboarded a team of local industry experts with decades of experience in numerous rail industry sectors and a passion for helping the communities they serve.
Our Commitment to Communities
At Horrocks, we are dedicated to helping communities thrive by supporting the goals of private and public railroads and the businesses and people who rely on them. Our Freight Rail services deliver innovative infrastructure solutions that prioritize safety, sustainability, and economic development.
Safety and Reliability
Our team works tirelessly to promote roadway crossing safety and compliance with track design standards. We collaborate with a range of institutions, including AREMA, Departments of Transportation (DOTs), government agencies, Class I, short line, and private freight rail companies to promote and enhance the use of current railroad design standards to reduce derailments and increase safety on railroads and railroad crossings throughout the U.S. Horrocks serves on and advises on the AREMA committees for bulk terminals and culverts to help improve rail design standards used across the U.S.
Environmental Sustainability
Railroads play a crucial role in communities nationwide, providing efficient and environmentally friendly transportation and shipping solutions. Rail transport is up to five times more fuel-efficient than trucking, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment for the communities we serve.
By requiring less space, railways enhance the efficiency and sustainability of transportation, complementing highways and freeways in creating a more balanced and sustainable transportation system.
Economic Development
By integrating rail with Horrocks' in-house roadway transportation capabilities, we not only streamline logistical efficiency through precise scheduling and coordinated operations but also optimize the use of multiple transport modes. This approach reduces delays, lowers costs, and ensures seamless transitions between rail and road. Moreover, this integration opens new opportunities for transporting people and products essential for economic growth and attracting new businesses.
Our Railway Experience
Our rail team’s extensive expertise across the rail sector supports the development of rail-served industrial parks and railroad infrastructure, including main lines, branch lines, yards, industry spurs, and railroad crossings nationwide.
Over the past 20-plus years we have helped more than 200 industries get access to rail services, designed hundreds of miles of track, and improved safety at dozens of at-grade crossings. In addition, our strategic collaborations with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) throughout the years have enriched our knowledge, providing a comprehensive understanding of every facet of the rail industry.
What Sets Us Apart
In January 2024, our Freight Rail team earned the distinction of being one of eight industry-approved design consultants in the U.S., authorized to work with UPRR and to submit plans for new rail projects. Our work at a national level has distinguished the Freight Rail team, broadening our experience while building an extensive network of relationships with clients and communities.
Continuing to uphold the belief that what we do matters, Horrocks is committed to working with our clients and partners to build a more connected and sustainable future, now reaching coast to coast.
Below, see examples of Horrocks’ rail projects and get to know our rail professionals. Visit our Freight Rail page to learn more about our Freight Rail services.
Horrocks’ Rail Projects
CVR WYNNEWOOD RENEWABLE DIESEL EXPANSION WYNNEWOOD, OKLAHOMA
In this project, we teamed with key partners Savage Services, ICPE, and BNSF Railway to expand CVR’s refinery in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Despite the project's complexity, the pre-feasibility study, final design engineering, railroad and county permitting, utility owner coordination, and construction was completed in less than 12 months.
PORT OF MUSKOGEE RAILROAD EXPANSION
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA
To help the Port of Muskogee expand the existing railroad infrastructure, we prepared a design and cost estimate to expand 9,700 feet of the port’s mainline connection with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). The expansion increased capacity and allowed access to modern six-axle locomotives for current and future industries, optimizing the marshaling yard’s trackage to accommodate volume expansion, including acceptance of unit trains into the port.
LINK SPACE CENTER
JUNPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Our rail team was hired to provide a rush rail design for a -million-square-foot warehouse that had already started construction but needed rail service to accommodate the demands of the incoming industry. We utilized our extensive experience and understanding of UPRR’s requirements to complete the design and construction of 11,000 feet of new track with an adjacent loading dock in advance of the building’s completion.
TAHOE-RENO INDUSTRIAL CENTER
PARKER, NEVADA
Our team was responsible for designing the track for the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRI Center). This is the largest rail-served industrial park in the U.S. and has been instrumental in providing rail services to numerous industries who now call the TRI Center home. One such industry was Pacific Steel, where drilling and blasting of an existing rock outcrop was required to get rail access into the building.
Meet Our Rail Leaders
Darren Eyre, PE
As a Horrocks Principal for Railroad Services, Darren has more than 21 years of experience in the rail civil engineering industry. His impactful efforts have facilitated agreements with UPRR, BNSF, and other Class I or short-line railroad companies for more than 400 clients. Darren’s active participation on AREMA’s yards and terminals committee reflects his commitment to industry education through national webinars, particularly focusing on bulk terminal design.
Clint Allen, PE
As Horrocks' Freight Rail Leader, Clint has over 20 years of experience and has been involved in projects ranging in size from small industrial spurs to large manifest and unit train yards. In addition to his work at Horrocks, he consults for the FRA/USDOT Volpe Center’s program management team nationwide to review and evaluate railroad, bridge, and roadway plans for federal grant projects (TIGER, BUILD, RAISE, etc.).
For more information about Horrocks and our freight rail services, please contact us at info@horrocks.com.
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