Our Areas of Expertise

While many projects require a multi-thousand-person “Architecture and Engineering” consulting firm solution, FMW Solutions provides specialized railroad professional services to its clients. Our network of expert consultants offers our clients expert advice and solutions. The following are brief descriptions of FMW’s key areas of expertise.

Short Line Railroads

Short line railroads are crucial parts of the North American rail system, providing the critical “Last Mile / First Mile” service that drives carload freight and supports a sizable portion of Class I traffic. FMW offers a variety of services to Short Line Railroads, including:

  • Grant writing and “RRIF Loan” support services;

  • Contract “Chief Mechanical Officer” services;

  • Transactional due diligence support;

  • Safety and training services; and

  • Business plan development and appraisal services.

Litigation & Regulatory

The core members of FMW’s team have had the honor to serve as expert witnesses before a variety of bodies, including the Surface Transportation Board and U.S. Federal Circuit Court. Our experts have testified on a variety of rail-related subject matters, including:

  • Rail equipment;

  • Railroad infrastructure engineering;

  • Railroad operating practices;

  • Railroad grade crossing incidents and disputes; and

  • Inter-railroad operations and agreements.

Passenger Rail Agencies

The expansion of passenger rail operations in the U.S. has been built, in large part, thanks to the cooperation between host freight railroads and passenger rail agencies. FMW offers a variety of services to agencies with respect to shared use and passenger service, including:

  • Intercity and commuter rail planning and negotiations;

  • Transactional negotiations and support;

  • Safety and compliance testing of passenger rail operators;

  • Equipment inspection and maintenance supply; and

  • Passenger rail equipment appraisal.

Rail Infrastructure / MOW

While many larger A&E firms offer comprehensive new-build engineering services, FMW specializes in providing its clients with a variety of specialized infrastructure services. We have offered the following services to railroads, industries, and shippers. These include:

  • Track condition assessments;

  • Cost-to-cure determination;

  • Program maintenance capital planning services;

  • Track and infrastructure inspection during due diligence; and

  • Rail infrastructure strategic planning.

Strategic Planning & Market Analysis

FMW undertakes a variety of railroad strategic planning and market analysis projects. Many of our experts served in the strategic planning departments of Class I railroads, and we maintain a solid understanding of the contemporary rail space. Services include:

  • Railroad strategic planning;

  • New product market research; and

  • Trends in the rail industry.

Rail Risk Management & Assessment

The operation and maintenance of your rail property impact the safety of your operation and, ultimately, impact the level of risk. FMW provides rail risk assessments and management services to short line railroads, passenger operations, and industrial sites, including:

  • Rail operations and maintenance training;

  • Rail operations and maintenance safety audits; and

  • Site surveys and inspections.