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Author: Doug Thomas

  • Industrial Park Partnership

    Industrial Park expansion project.

    Industrial Park Partnership

    Here’s an overview of our partnership with Industrial Park

    TGB Group is thrilled to provide an update on our ongoing partnership with Industrial Park in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and the park expansion project. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store.

    1. Additional storage yard expansion

    We’re currently working on the design of an additional storage yard, Yard Number 2, with a capacity to accommodate 305 cars. This expansion will boost Industrial Park’s capacity for efficient storage.

    2. 1000-car storage yard at Industrial Park

    Our team is hard at work designing a massive 1,000-car storage yard. This colossal yard will cover nearly 100,000 square feet of rail design, ensuring the park’s capacity to store a significant number of railcars.

    3. Transload track area

    To facilitate seamless transitions, we’re crafting a cutting-edge transload track area. This zone will enable the smooth transfer of goods from railcars to trucks, trailers and loaders for offloading purposes.

    4. UPRR arrival and departure tracks

    We’re finalizing the design for Union Pacific Railroad’s (UPRR) arrival and departure tracks, optimizing rail operations at the park.

    Our team is truly honored to be the preferred choice for this critical expansion project, and we look forward to more opportunities that may come our way.

    Together, we’re helping to shape the future of this industrial hub and foster continued growth and success. Stay tuned for more updates as our collaboration with evolves!

    Who is TGB Group?

    Based in Spring, Texas, TGB Group provides a full menu of professional civil engineering, consulting and design services the United States. Most of our work is in the rail industry, where we assist in project management, site development, strategic planning and multiple design services.

    To discuss an upcoming project or learn more about our services, contact us at (866) 217-7794 or use our handy contact form.

    The TGB Team

  • SWARS Conference 2023

    SWARS Conference 2023

    SWARS Conference 2023

    A Recap of the Exciting SWARS Conference 2023

    swars conference 2023 golf tournament
    A view from the golf course.

    The SWARS Conference 2023 brought excitement to Coronado, Calif., in September, and it was an event to remember. The beautiful weather added an extra layer of magic to the occasion.

    SWARS Conference 2023 Golf Tournament

    The event included a golf tournament that was held on September 27 with an 8 a.m. tee-off time (shotgun start) at Steel Canyon Golf Club. There was a nice turnout of 145 golfers who enjoyed the spectacular vistas of the lovely San Diego area.

    The competition featured various hole contests, including “closest to the pin,” “longest drive,” “straightest drive,” “longest putt,” and even a thrilling “$10,000 hole-in-one” contest.

    All proceeds from this event went to the George J. Elking Jr. Scholarship Fund.

    Also on Sept. 27, SWARS treated attendees to a delightful wine-tasting event. It was a perfect opportunity for participants to savor some exquisite wines, socialize and enhance their overall experience of the conference.

    Conference highlights

    2023 conference

    The SWARS Conference 2023 was held at the beautiful Loews Coronado Bay Resort on September 28, and TGB Group was proud to take part as one of 35 exhibitors.

    The conference was an all-day affair, running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Highlights included:

    • Captivating keynote speeches
    • An STB (Surface Transportation Board) update
    • Panel discussions
    • Prestigious awards
    • Invaluable networking opportunities

    The event boasted an impressive turnout, with nearly 700 registered attendees!

    SWARS (Southwestern Association of Rail Shippers) truly delivered a fantastic experience with its SWARS Conference 2023. The event combined golf and insightful conference sessions for all its participants.

    Learn more about the 2023 event >>

    Learn more about SWARS >>

    Don’t miss the SWARS 2024 Annual Meeting

    The SWARS 2024 Annual Meeting is scheduled for March 5-6 in Galveston, Texas. Get ready for an unforgettable experience with:

    • Inspiring keynote speakers
    • Engaging workshops and sessions
    • Networking opportunities
    • Cutting-edge industry insights
    • Fun and relaxation in Galveston

    Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in the beautiful surroundings of Galveston, Texas. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more updates. SWARS 2024 will be an event to remember.

    The TGB Team

  • An Overview of Our Latest Rail Infrastructure Development Project

    TGB Group specializes in rail infrastructure development projects.

    An Overview of Our Latest Rail Infrastructure Development Project

    TGB’s Progress: Contracted for final construction documents for a Southeast Texas project

    TGB Group is proud to announce its latest milestone in collaboration with a valued customer in the Southeast Texas area. This partnership showcases TGB’s commitment to delivering exceptional results in the realm of rail infrastructure development.

    Originally entrusted with the task of producing 30% design documents and a preliminary budget estimate in November 2022, TGB’s expertise in design and planning came to the forefront. These documents, along with the budget estimate, were meticulously crafted to align with the customer’s vision, requirements and project goals for rail infrastructure development.

    In March 2023, TGB delivered these documents, marking a crucial step in the project’s journey.

    In a clear demonstration of our team’s commitment and skill, the customer reaffirmed their trust in May 2023 by granting the Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the creation of final construction documents. This significant step not only solidified the partnership but also showcased the unwavering confidence in TGB’s capability to transform ideas into concrete outcomes.

    Rail infrastructure development scope

    The scope of this ambitious design project includes:

    • 28,900 track feet of rail to secure connectivity and efficient transportation
    • 23 turnouts to help smooth transitions and maneuverability
    • 15,000 steel ties, components that are required for structural integrity
    • 21,500 tons of ballast to contribute to stability and longevity
    • 29,000 tons of sub ballast, a foundation for the project’s durability
    • A significant number of culverts, thoughtfully sized for effective drainage solutions

    Anticipation grows as the project prepares for its next phases. With plans to initiate the bidding process in January 2024, the construction stage will launch in March 2024 and should run for nine months.

    TGB’s attention to detail, adherence to deadlines and commitment to quality in this project set the stage for a successful and transformative endeavor.

    For additional information about this rail infrastructure development project or other TGB Group projects, contact Steven Surratt, Business Development, at (817) 487-0193.

  • The 2023 TEDC Annual Conference Is Coming to Houston in October

    The 2023 TEDC Annual Conference Is Coming to Houston in October

    We hope to see you at this year’s exciting conference event

     

    2023 tedc annual conference

    If the 2023 TEDC Annual Conference is on your agenda for October 11-13, we invite you to visit our booth during the event. The conference, sponsored by the Texas Economic Development Council, is truly a highlight of our yearly schedule.

    2023 TEDC Annual Conference overview

    The event will feature a great lineup of industry experts discussing important economic development topics, such as:

    • The water crisis Texas is currently experiencing
    • The state of the Texas workforce
    • Effective mentoring techniques and principles

    and much, much more.

    The conference will also include a variety of engaging discussion panels filled with economic development professionals who will share their knowledge and experience on topics that affect our business and many others throughout the state of Texas.

    The 2023 TEDC Annual Conference is an opportunity you don’t want to miss to learn, network and engage with your peers in economic development.

    Golf tournament and more excitement

    The conference will include a golf tournament, scheduled for Wednesday, October 11. The Community Economic Development Award Luncheon will be held Thursday, October 12. In addition, you can visit the exhibit hall and networking lounge, attend two receptions and participate in a PAC Auction.

    This year’s conference is being held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Road.

    About the TEDC

    The Texas Economic Development Council is an Austin-based, statewide, non-profit professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas. Our diverse members share a common goal: bringing new investment and jobs to Texas.

    We’ll look for you at the 2023 TEDC Annual Conference!

    This year’s conference is shaping up to be an exciting time for everyone who does business in the great state of Texas. If you plan to attend, don’t forget to stop by the TGB Group booth and say hi.

    The TGB Team

  • The TEDC Conference Was Another Great Opportunity to Connect

    TEDC Conference sponsor

    The TEDC Conference Was Another Great Opportunity to Connect

    TGB Group sponsored the exciting golf tournament

    The 2023 Mid-Year TEDC Conference kicked off June 21 in Allen, Texas.  As with every TEDC Conference, the accommodations were excellent: we stayed at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Watters Creek Convention Center on Watters Creek Blvd. in Allen.

    A special golfing event, which our team helped to sponsor, happened at the Twin Creeks Golf Club, also in Allen.

    The 2023 Mid-Year TEDC Conference was a huge success by anybody’s estimation.  It’s always nice to put a smiling face with an email contact or a voice you usually only hear on a phone call.

    There’s great value in being able to meet other people who are working with the Texas Economic Development Council to improve our communities.  We learn and share, and we always come back with new ideas and knowledge.  Along with all the great networking, a variety of economic development services were offered at the Mid-Year Conference.

    Learn more about the TEDC and its activities

    Being a TEDC Conference sponsor

    We really enjoy our ongoing sponsorship of the different special events the TEDC puts together.  In addition to complimentary conference registration, being an annual sponsor is a great way to help support programs such as advocacy at the Texas Capital as well as special services that meet the needs of economic developers.

    About the Texas Economic Development Council

    The Austin, Texas-based council is a professional association for economic developers throughout the state.  It’s the largest council of its kind, with a membership that includes more than 850 individuals from more than 500 public and private economic development organizations.  TEDC members can be found in more than 350 cities.

    The council’s mission is to create strategies that lead to the growth of investment and jobs in Texas while fostering a robust business climate.

    Join us for the next conference

    If you’ve never attended at TEDC Conference, it’s time to schedule one on your calendar soon.  Here are some of the upcoming events and locations in Texas.

    2023 Mid-Year Conference

    June 21-23, Allen

    2023 Annual Conference

    October 11-13, Houston

    2024 Winter Conference

    February 21-23, San Antonio

    2024 Texas Women in Economic Development Conference

    April 23-24, Round Rock

    2024 Mid-Year Conference

    June 5-7, Conroe

    2024 Annual Conference

    October 23-25, Addison

    We hope to see you at an upcoming TEDC Conference!

    The TGB Team

  • This Year’s 2023 AREMA Annual Conference is Being Held in Indianapolis

    From Arema.org.

    This Year’s 2023 AREMA Annual Conference is Being Held in Indianapolis

    TGB Group will sponsor “Meet the Next Generation”

    The largest North American railway conference and exhibition is coming to Indianapolis.  The 2023 AREMA Annual Conference, in conjunction with Railway Interchange, is scheduled for October 1-4, 2023 at the Indiana Convention Center.  This will be an outstanding opportunity to learn from industry experts about trends that will impact the future.

    “Meet the Next Generation”

    TGB Group is proud to be a sponsor of the “Meet the Next Generation” event at the 2023 AREMA Annual Conference.  This event has been extremely successful in past years and continues to grow each year with more attendees and companies hosting tables at the networking reception.  We hope to make the 13th annual event the best ever!

    “Meet the Next Generation” will give prospective employees and students an opportunity to learn about the railroad industry and meet representatives from many of its companies.  It’s a fantastic way for people moving into the workforce to get a feel for the industry and make informed decisions about employment options.

    For rail industry representatives, it’s a fantastic way to establish relationships with potential employees who can be assets to their companies and organizations now and in the future.

    Why attend the 2023 AREMA Annual Conference?

    The conference will give you a chance to sharpen your skills through a variety of sessions with industry-expert presenters across the four days.  You’ll expand your knowledge on important topics like emergencies, remediation and sustainability.  There will be plenty of opportunities to participate in discussions about safety solutions and explore new ideas through engaging case studies and overviews of products and services that affect our industry.

    Depending on your state’s policies, you may be eligible for Professional Development Hours to maintain your certification.

    This conference is designed for YOU

    If you work in railroad communications, engineering, maintenance-of-way, passenger & transit, signals & information technology, track structure, or any other segment of the rail industry, you owe it to yourself to attend the 2023 AREMA Annual Conference.

    Get more information about registration here.

    Learn more about the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association here.

    We hope to see you at the conference!

    The TGB Team

  • A Brief Recap of the BNSF Night Reception

    A Brief Recap of the BNSF Night Reception

    The event was a great opportunity to meet and greet other rail professionals

    TGB Group recently sponsored the BNSF Night reception during a North American Maintenance Railway Club (NAMRC) conference.

    Rail industry suppliers and vendors were on hand to welcome Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway employees from numerous departments related to maintaining the railroad.  The event was held at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel on May 24, 2023.

    Professional development at BNSF Night

    BNSF Night and other similar events are important for companies and professionals who work in the rail industry.  In Fort Worth, we were able to renew old friendships, network with new contacts, meet a few vendors and get to know some of the BNSF employees in attendance.

    Members of our team often take advantage of special events where others in the railroad and engineering fields gather to learn about new developments and share helpful information that applies in real time to our work.  BNSF Night was a great experience, thanks in part to the NAMRC.

    About the North American Maintenance Railway Club

    The North American Maintenance Railway Club is made up of railroad maintenance professionals and personnel in the supplier industry within the United States.  The goal of the NAMRC is to provide a forum for education and camaraderie in an industry that’s constantly evolving from its colorful past and moving into a very promising future.

    The club has evolved with the industry.  In 2013, its name was changed to the North American Maintenance Railway Club, which better reflected its diverse membership and geographic expansion throughout the U.S.

    Today, the NAMRC hosts about eight meetings throughout the year for organizations such as BNSF, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern CSX.

    Membership is higher than at any time in the last 25 years.  Attendance at meetings, such as BNSF Night in Fort Worth, continues to grow as the club brings increased value to railway industry professionals.

    TGB sponsors BNSF Night

    Get involved to learn and expand

    TGB Group is always excited about attending and sometimes sponsoring special rail-industry events like BNSF Night.  If you work in the rail industry or a related industry, consider marking a few upcoming events on your professional and social calendars.

    The TGB Team

     

  • Here’s a recap of the 2023 SWARS Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas

    Here’s a recap of the 2023 SWARS Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas

    TGB Group was excited to be a conference sponsor and be part of the activities

    SWARS 2023 Annual Meeting

    The SWARS 2023 Annual Meeting held March 29-30, 2023, took place at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk Hotel this year.  There was a great selection of speakers, and TGB Group helped to sponsor the Food, Wine & Mezcal Tasting Event.

    A highlight of these meetings is the networking opportunity for rail industry professionals.  It’s helpful and fun to mingle with and really get to know people who are usually the face of an email.

    Fundraising at the SWARS 2023 Annual Meeting

    SWARS 2023 annual meeting
    TGB Group’s Mike Murphy (r.) and colleagues at the SWARS 2023 Annual Meeting.

    At the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers Annual Meeting this year, funds raised during the various events went to benefit the George J. Elking Scholarship Fund.

    The George J. Elking Jr. Scholarship Award was created to help individuals throughout the SWARS region achieve their educational and career goals.  SWARS would love it if the recipients ended up with careers in the logistics and transportation fields, but the association is excited to help deserving individuals regardless of their chosen career paths.

    Scholarship funding is provided for the school year beginning in the first fall semester that follows the notification of the award.

    SWARS events throughout the year

    The SWARS 2023 Annual Meeting was just one of many events the association sponsors each year.  The objective of the meetings and other events is to bring an open forum to professionals in the railroad, shipping and related industries.  It gives them the perfect opportunity to gather and discuss news and ideas that are important in their fields.

    Topics that we and other SWARS members and attendees discuss include service, car supply, scheduling, operating practices, technology and everything else that impacts our professional lives.

    Major conference events are held twice a year, in the spring and fall, at locations within SWARS’ territory.

    Learn more about the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers

    SWARS is open to everyone involved in rail transportation, including rail shippers and receivers, railroads, vendors, third parties, regulators and others.

    We’re looking forward to the next SWARS event – the 2023 Semi-Annual Meeting in San Diego!

    The TGB Team

  • The Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Jude Fundraiser Happens December 2-3, 2023

    The Rock 'n' Roll St. Jude fundraiser is making a difference for kids with cancer.

    The Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Jude Fundraiser Happens December 2-3, 2023

    Let’s get out in the fresh air and help kids with cancer!

    Once again, we’re excited to be part of an exciting St. Jude fundraiser.  Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio is set to happen on Dec. 2-3, 2023, and this year is extra special.

    It’s the 26th anniversary celebration of the Rock and Roll St. Jude fundraiser, in which runners of all shapes, sizes and abilities hit the road in several sanctioned runs to raise money for children with cancer.

    Runs scheduled for the event include:

    • Marathon
    • Half marathon
    • 10K
    • 5K

    Through sponsorships that the runners arrange, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital receives some of the funding it needs to carry out its critical mission of providing medical care to children with cancer while never charging a penny to those kids’ families.

    More on this St. Jude fundraiser

    This is an event that we always enjoy, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy it too.  The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio fundraiser kicks off with a two-day health and fitness expo.  The public is invited to explore and learn about:

    • the latest advances in running technologies
    • cool new fitness apparel choices
    • health and nutrition
    • specialized topics from interactive displays

    You can learn more about the event at the link above.  If you’d like to register, go here.

    The Rock ‘n’ Roll running event is part of the St. Jude Heroes series.  Other races are held in various parts of the U.S. at different times of the year.  San Antonio is the one nearest our home, so we can’t wait to get there and be part of all the excitement.

    About St. Jude

    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was founded by actor Danny Thomas in 1962 to focus on catastrophic diseases, especially leukemia and other cancers, in children.

    Located in Memphis, Tenn., the hospital provides zero-cost services to patients up to age 21 and in some cases older.  No parent or guardian of a child treated at St. Jude has ever received a bill for services.

    This upcoming St. Jude fundraiser will help the hospital offset its $2.8 million-per-day operating costs.  It costs a lot of money to do this much good.

    We hope you’ll consider helping St. Jude and the kids by planning a trip to Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio in December.

    The TGB Group

  • TGB Group Now Providing Civil Engineering and Design Services in Alabama

    TGB Group Now Providing Civil Engineering and Design Services in Alabama

    We’re currently working with an Alabama lumber mill

    TGB Group is proud to announce that we’re now offering civil engineering and design services in Alabama.  We launched projects last year in Arizona and New Mexico, and now we’re moving into the Yellowhammer State.

    Our Alabama project is for a large lumber mill.  The project began with consultation meetings with the client to select a scale for railcars that would meet their needs.

    After we selected the type of scale – in this case, a weigh in motion scale – we interviewed scale companies and evaluated their products and proposals.  We’re now designing a new track for the client that will include turnouts at both ends and the new scale at the mid-point of the track to allow rail cars to be weighed before passing on to the unloading station.  The project will begin construction in the middle of 2023.

    Arizona & New Mexico projects

    Arizona projects included the planning and civil design of two separate neighborhoods, a railroad scale and track project and another railroad track project.  We are also working on a large, rail-served industrial park in Arizona.

    In New Mexico last year, we worked on a rail expansion project that connected two sets of shorter tracks to make two long tracks.  This was to give the client additional storage capacity for their growing business.  We are currently working with a client on a large unit train facility that includes capacity for 20 or more trains per month, laydown space for materials, the relocation of a large detention pond, drainage for the site and more than two miles of roadway.

    Learn more about our civil engineering and design services in Alabama

    If you’d like to know more about our initial Alabama project, we’d love to speak with you about it.

    If you have a rail-related project anywhere in the U.S. that needs an experienced team to make it a success, please contact us.  We’ll get to know you and your project and determine how we can help you meet your objectives.

    The TGB Team