Scope of Our Railroad Services

Engineering Support — Stress analysis, conversion of drawings (AWS, ISO), base material comparison (EN, ASTM, ASME, etc.)

Pre-Fabrication Assessments — Quality system compliance, welding process implementation according to AWS D15.1, inspection system, and performance.

Welding Support — Implementation or validation of Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR), welding performance testing, repair weld support, etc.

Monitoring of Shop Repair Programs — On-site project support, fabrication inspection and validation, Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and International Welding Engineer (IWE) services, inspection services, and welder training.

M-1003 Quality System — Consulting, implementation and validation. We either review existing systems (e.g., ISO 3834-2) and validate compliance with M-1003 requirements, or we support with implementation.

M-1003 Activity Codes — Consulting, implementation and validation

Certification — Consulting and support services concerning the application for certification

Supplier Management — First approval audits, first article inspection (FAI), supplier improvement program and supplier certification

Inspection Services — As-built inspection, weld inspection, contract conformity assessment, independent safety assessment (ISA), non-conformity and prevent action assessment validation

Inspection of Damaged Railcars — Pre-repair authorizations and follow-up inspections to ensure that repairs were done correctly and completely

North American Rail Standards Information

In the North American market, railroad safety is governed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Association of American Railroads (AAR). These agencies have established rules and regulations, such as:

  • AWS D15.1 Railroad Welding Specification for Cars and Locomotives
  • AWS Structural Welding Codes (AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, AWS D1.3, AWS D1.6, etc.)
    • AWS D1.1 contains the requirements for designing, fabricating and erecting welded steel structures.
    • AWS D1.2 contains the requirements for designing, fabricating and erecting welded aluminum structures.
    • AWS D1.3 contains the requirements for arc welding of structural steel/strip sheets and cold-formed members.
  • AWS A3.0 Standard Welding Terms and Definitions

The following resources contain additional information about these standards:

  • CFR 49, Volume 4, Chapter II FRA (Code of Federal Regulations)
  • AAR Manual of Standards & Recommended Practices (MSRP)
  • AAR Field Manual of the Interchange Rules
  • AAR Office Manual of the Interchange Rules

ECE Global Railroad Service Benefits

Our solutions offer several business advantages. Our experience and knowledge help our clients:

Save Time and Money. Avoid costly and time-consuming rework through the use of integrated management planning from the start of your project.

Minimize Risk. Decrease the chances of downtime and damage through early identification of quality and safety issues, as well as the development of suitable measures to address them.

Assure Quality. Our experienced, international team of rail experts ensure that your systems and processes meet your needs and regulatory requirements. 

Who Do We Help?

  • Owner/operators
  • Buyers/purchasers
  • Manufacturers/OEMs
  • Consulting companies

Why Should You Work with ECE Global?

ECE Global focuses on the manufacture of vehicles and components, and our experts assess the required processes for sound engineering, fabrication, validation and systems. Organizations that work with us add value to their customers by ensuring compliance with all required regulations. Independent reviews and process audits confirm that sustainability and scalability are as robust as they need to be.