866-217-7794

Discuss Your Project
TGB Group

Tag: railroad

  • TGB Gets to Work on New Douglass Distributing Project

    TGB Gets to Work on New Douglass Distributing Project

    We’ll bring temporary and long-term solutions

    GB Group has been hired for a Douglass Distributing project to help the client develop rail access near their facility in Sherman, Texas.

    We’ll work with Douglass in the BNSF NBR (New Business Review) process and provide topographic survey and track design/rehabilitation construction documents.

    Douglass Distributing project key elements

    • Rehabilitation of an existing turnout
    • Rehabilitation of more than 1,700 feet of rail
    • Construction of a 1,250-foot gravel access roadway
    • Fencing with a turnaround on each end so that trucks can park next to the rail cars while offloading product from the cars and then take the product to the facility for processing

    Part of the Douglass Distributing project includes our team providing consulting services for the client to help them find a temporary solution for bringing product in by rail near their plant.

    We used our connections in the railroad industry to find several potential temporary unloading sites. After evaluating each site ourselves and then with Douglass reps, we recommended a site on a southern Oklahoma short line railroad that will be perfect for their operational needs.

    About Douglass Distributing

    Douglass Distributing is a diversified energy supplier that offers fuel solutions across a wide spectrum of industries and provides a variety of services from consulting and design to implementation and maintenance.

    Their expertise combined with their relentless dedication to customer service has earned them the reputation of the “Go To” company for fuel solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential applications.

    Community-focused solutions

    TGB Group does a lot of work in many Texas cities, and with every project, we’re excited knowing that the end result will benefit the local community. We’re committed to building up local resources and helping to bring jobs and economic success to the areas where we serve.

    If you’d like to know more about the Douglass Distributing project or explore our design and consulting services, please contact Steven Surratt at (866) 217-7794 or via email at sales@thetgbgroup.com.

    The TGB Team

  • Survey and Design Project for Chemical Company

    Survey and Design Project for Chemical Company

    Completion of the project expected in late 2021

    TGB Group had the privilege of providing survey and design for a future chemical company facility in Houston, Texas. The survey and design project consists of three separate portions:

    • Demolition
    • Site civil
    • Rail construction

    Survey and design project specs

    The demolition portion of the project began with a pre-construction meeting between TGB Group and the selected contractor on August 3, 2021.  Demolition began on August 7.

    Now that the demolition phase is complete, the contractor is working on the site/civil and rail portion of the project, which is expected to be completed in late November or early December 2021.

    The rail portion of this survey and design project consists of rehabilitating the existing turnout and the existing 1,100 feet of lead track as well as adding more than 1,700 feet of new track and a single new turnout.

    There will be a storage track for cars to be spotted on as well as an unloading track for the chemicals to be unloaded from the rail cars for the facility to use.

    About TGB Group

    Since its inception, TGB Group has been known as a go-to choice for a wide range of survey and design project management services.  With a specialty in the rail industry, we work throughout the state of Texas and the rest of the U.S.

    Learn more about our professional engineering services for your next project by contacting TGB President Mike Murphy at (866) 217-7794.

  • Engineering & Rail Design Project

    Engineering & Rail Design Project

    Project completion expected in January 2022

    TGB Group is working with Zinc Resources LLC on an engineering and rail design project to assist a future recycling facility located at the Port of Victoria, Texas.

    Zinc Resources hired us because of our documented expertise in rail design project engineering and management.

    Rail design project specs

    The lead track for this project ties into another project that TGB Group designed: the Port of Victoria North Rail Loop. This current project consists of:

    • More than 4,300 TF of track
    • Four turnouts that lead to two unloading tracks
    • Three storage tracks for the customers’ use in their recycling operations

    Upon completion of this rail design project, Zinc Resources will have a new state-of-the-art recycling facility that recycles dust from steel production and turns it into usable zinc and iron products.

    A very positive benefit will be the addition of 60 new jobs to the Victoria, Texas, area.  Zinc Resources has estimated that the facility will have an annual payroll of $2.5 million, which is great for everyone involved.

    Zinc Resources is investing $60 million in the building of this new facility.

    Construction commenced on August 16, 2021 and is expected to be completed by the middle of January 2022.

    About Zinc Resources

    The Zinc Resources team brings more than 100 combined years of professional experience in the recycling of zinc materials.  The company encourages innovation and empowers its employees to deliver exceptional products while making positive impacts on the local community and the environment.

    Learn more about Zinc Resources

    TGB Group is excited about this new venture and the chance to help our local Texas communities grow and thrive.  If you want to know more about the Zinc Resources rail engineering project or any of our civil engineering specialties, reach out to TGB President Mike Murphy at (866) 217-7794.

    The TGB Team

  • 2021 SWARS Fall Golf Event: We had Fun for a Good Cause

    Brookfield Country Club

    2021 SWARS Fall Golf Event: We had Fun for a Good Cause

    TGB participated as a Beverage Cart Sponsor

    Once again, the SWARS Fall Golf Event & Scholarship Fundraiser was a great time to play some golf, win some prizes, re-connect with rail industry associates and most of all support the George Elking, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

    The tournament was held Sept. 29, 2021 at the Brookhaven County Club in Farmers Branch, Texas.  We love Brookhaven, which is made up of three awesome courses: the Master’s Course, the Championship Course and the President’s Course.

    The golf event is held annually, with proceeds from event fees going to benefit the Elking Scholarship Fund.  Well-known in the rail industry, George Elking, Jr. was president of the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS) in 1995.  He went on to serve as president of the North American Association of Rail Shippers in 1998.

    We’re regulars at the SWARS Fall Golf Event

    swars fall golf event
    Our booth at the SWARS fall golf event

    This was the fifth consecutive year TGB Group has officially participated in the golf event.  Some of our employees have been attending special SWARS golfing events for more than 15 years.

    This year, we sponsored a beverage cart as a way to help raise needed funds for the scholarship.  But you can ask any of our team that attended, the enjoyment far outweighed the small participation and sponsorship fees.

    Friendly competition

    While none of us are “expert” golfers, we loved the competition that included contests for the longest drive, the straightest drive, the closest approach shot, the longest putt and the $10,000 hole-in-one challenge – which none of us won.

    For those of you who work in the rail industry, consider looking into attending a future SWARS Fall Golf Event.  You’ll have a great time and be helping out a good cause.

    Check out the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers website and learn about annual and semi-annual meetings, industry news and more.

    The TGB Team

  • TSLRRA Membership Has Many Benefits

    TSLRRA Membership Has Many Benefits

    A recap of the 2021 TSLRRA Annual Meeting and the importance of the association

    TGB Group’s TSLRRA membership allowed us the pleasure of attending the first virtual Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association Annual Meeting on Feb. 24, 2021. We’ve belonged to the TSLRRA four years now, and it has always been a key part of our professional lives.

    The TSLRRA forwards to us important details about current short line rail news on both the legislative and local levels and provides many other benefits.

    Paul Treangen, TSLRRA president, says:

    Our advocacy is at the state level, including TxDOT, but we also work with ASLRRA at the federal level. Also, we provide access to, and partner with, Class 1 government affairs staff, hold annual meetings, and provide visibility/engagement to our non-railroad members.

    TSLRRA membership has added benefits of special access to background screenings and drug testing through eVerifile’s service, eShortLine (a contractor screening and security administration program explicitly formed for short line railroads).

    Why TSLRRA membership is important

    We believe in supporting an organization like TSLRRA because of its ongoing outreach to assist “mom and pop” railroads in numerous ways. The annual meeting is part of this outreach and gives these smaller railroad owners a perfect chance to meet and get to know other rail-industry professionals and gain access to helpful talks presented by knowledgeable speakers.

    Short line railroads get overlooked too often, but the fact is, they’re very important for the factories and farms that link to major shippers and exporters.

    TSLRRA Annual Meetings always bring us plenty of critical information such as details about heavy regulatory initiatives. These initiatives can hinder growth and Austin short line tax credit.

    The TSLRRA and other short line associations are encouraging Congress to institute an ongoing tax credit that will help short line railroads enhance their infrastructure.

    Want to know more about TSLRRA membership? Go to their LinkedIn page.

    About TSLRRA

    The Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association is a nonprofit professional organization representing the interests of the more than 40 short line railroads and industry related businesses in Texas.

    Established in 2003, TSLRRA’s purpose has been to promote the state’s economy, champion public safety issues and partner with local governments and organizations to enhance the transportation infrastructure and bring new jobs and prosperity to Texas communities. Learn more about the Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.

    Benefits of TSLRRA membership
    1. Industry expertise

    TSLRRA provides members with countless resources to keep them informed about ever-changing regulatory and legal issues pertaining to short line and regional railroads. Members can call or meet with in-house experts to discuss inquiries and get guidance. Bi-weekly newsletters, as well as ASLRRA’s exclusive data publication Industry Fact Book, summarize market trends and opportunities for railway operators, so members will never miss an opportunity or be caught unaware of changing tides in the industry. Members also have access to a library of webinars from trade experts and see speakers at regional meetings and seminars.

    1. Networking opportunities

    Through annual conventions, events, and regional meetings, members have a wide range of opportunities to meet with like-minded individuals, learn emerging trends and make important, lasting business connections. To get even more involved, members can serve on a number of committees or participate in mentorship programs.

    1. Advocacy programs

    ASLRRA represents small railroad operators in Washington D.C. In doing so, their team of lobbyists works with lawmakers to prevent unfair taxation and regulation. Through this advocacy, railroad owners have the ability to voice their concerns and provide recommendations directly to the government.

     

  • TGB Group Has Made the Commtrex Rail Service Providers Top 10 List

    TGB Group Has Made the Commtrex Rail Service Providers Top 10 List

    A great marketing tool and recognition of our commitment to our clients

    TGB Group has been recognized among the Top 10 Rail Service Providers on the Commtrex Top 10 Railroad Engineering Services Companies List for March 2021.

    The Commtrex Rail Services Directory connects shippers and rail service providers across the U.S. and Canada with an interactive map, comparison features and customized details.

    Prime exposure for rail service providers

    To give easy access to the best rail industry professionals, Commtrex has developed a set of Top 10 lists based on positive user engagement in its Rail Services Directory and Railcar Storage Marketplace. Each list is routinely updated and includes the major services that shippers and railroaders use to manage their businesses.

    Commtrex CEO Martin Lew pointed out that companies advertising with Commtrex have a much greater level of exposure to customers interested in learning more about top rail service providers.

    “The Commtrex Rail Services Directory is the go-to resource for shippers and asset owners, who are at the core of our membership base and compose over 65% of the Commtrex community,” Lew said.

    He added, “Our Top 10 lists provide both members and the public with the actively engaged service providers available in our Rail Services Directory and Railcar Storage Marketplace. Shippers trust our Top l0 lists as a valuable resource when searching for rail services.”

    We’re proud to be added to this list that will be seen by scores of professionals in the rail industry and related industries. The Commtrex directory is a great marketing tool for our team, but being named to the annual Top 10 list is extra-special. It validates our commitment and willingness to “go that extra mile” for our clients.

    More about Commtrex on their website.

    To learn more about TGB Group’s work as a Texas-based rail service provider and our engineering, design and project management services, contact President Mike Murphy at (866) 217-7794.

  • Rail Spur Project in Ridgeland, MS Will Be the First of Many

    Rail Spur Project in Ridgeland, MS Will Be the First of Many

    TGB team to provide survey, consulting & design services

    TGB Group recently launched the first of what we expect to be many projects in the great state of Mississippi.  We’ll be engaged in a variety of professional services as part of a rail spur project for Flowood Developers of Ridgeland, MS.

    Rail spur project specs

    The first phase of the rail spur project involves our team providing survey and design for about 1,500 feet of track that will be used by a tenant of Flowood to offload aggregates it will use in numerous construction projects in and around the region.

    When this phase is complete, future work will include expanding the track to accommodate projected volume increases beyond the first year.

    Our engineering and consulting team will design the rail spur project to meet Canadian National Railroad and American Railway Engineering & Maintenance of Way (AREMA) standards for track construction.  In addition, we will handle all submittals to the railroad in order to gain their approval – a process we oversee for many of our rail-industry clients.

    Strategic expansion

    We’re excited about launching this new project for Flowood in Mississippi.  It’s an important move for us as a company, as we gradually and intelligently expand our service areas to help more companies achieve outstanding results in their engineering, property development and construction management projects.

    We will continue to serve clients throughout Texas, where we’re headquartered, and Kansas, where we’ve served on a wide variety of civil engineering and design projects during the past years.  We will also continue to support the rail industry at events, conferences and fundraisers to help more and more professionals make the connections and gain the critical information they need to better serve their clients and associates.

    If you’d like to learn more about this rail spur project for Flowood Developers, or if you have a project you’d like to discuss, contact TGB President Mike Murphy at mike@thetgbgroup.com or 866-217-7794.

  • The AREMA Annual Conference: Learning & Networking Opportunities

    The AREMA Annual Conference: Learning & Networking Opportunities

    The perfect event for all rail industry professionals

    TGB Group representatives are looking forward to the upcoming AREMA Annual Conference to be held Sept. 26-29.  Every year, the American Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) puts on a great conference with many educational and networking opportunities.

    Presented in conjunction with Railway Interchange, the conference is designed as an opportunity for rail engineering professionals to expand their industry knowledge about the latest technologies and innovations.  TGB Group will join many others who seek key distinctions that will allow them to expand and grow their businesses or consultancies.

    AREMA Annual Conference presenters

    A variety of rail-industry experts are scheduled to speak and share important knowledge with attendees that will benefit them, no matter what sector of the industry they serve.

    Every year, those who participate in the AREMA Annual Conference get to hear about what’s trending, what’s coming up the pipeline and how we can use the information to further our expertise and make our companies more fluent and effective.

    Networking with other professionals

    The AREMA Annual Conference is the perfect time to reconnect with associates and make new connections that can bring positive mutual benefit.  Just these brief (or extended) conversations can give you a wealth of insight and ideas that you can bring back home and implement with your team.

    We attend as many industry conferences and events as possible throughout the year.  While our team of civil engineering experts are at the forefront of our niche in the industry, we believe there’s always room for improvement and growth.  The AREMA Annual Conference is a great and fun way to accomplish that.

    About AREMA

    The American Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association is a professional association for those who serve in many capacities in the rail and rail engineering industries.  AREMA focuses on education with many events throughout the year.

    The association creates and distributes recommended practices regarding communications, structures, tracks and signals in the rail industry.  AREMA currently has about 6,000 members.

    We’ll see you at the conference!

  • TGB Group Hired for Port of Victoria Rail Infrastructure Project

    TGB Group Hired for Port of Victoria Rail Infrastructure Project

    Work to include a master plan for water, rail and highway transportation

    TGB Group has entered into an agreement for consulting services in the Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project. Our team will help the Port identify ways to develop rail infrastructure and operations along with other development efforts for land surrounding the port.

    We’ll begin by designing an industrial and rail-centric master plan for the property with the overall concept of a multi-modal facility offering transportation by water, rail and highway. When the plan is complete, we’ll work with the Port to outline the next steps to take to further the development of rail operations while considering building additional infrastructure.

    Port of Victoria Rail Infrastructure Project Specs

    The Port turning basin area is situated on more than 2,000 acres and is served by rail and four-lane divided highways.

    POV Dock No. 1 is a 350-foot transit dock. A new lighting system allows for 24-hour cargo operations. Twenty mooring sites, 17,000 square feet of shed space and more than three acres of improved ground storage areas are available. A 7,300-square-foot office and storage building is ready for occupancy.

    POV Dock No. 2 is an 800-foot string pier available for docking sites and barge repair. Major products transferred are liquid and dry bulk and general and project cargo. The Port of Victoria’s mission is to provide waterway transportation capabilities to create economic opportunity in the region.

    The Port recently created an industrial park with multi-modal access. The park is located within a foreign trade zone and a Texas Enterprise Zone. The Port has the ability to “build to suit” and tailor a package specific to the facility and transportation needs of customers.

    A major cost savings was realized by including the basin expansion with the completion of the widening and deepening of the canal. In addition to almost doubling the size of the harbor, a 400-foot-by-150-foot barge slip was added for greater safety and efficiency.

    TGB’s work on the Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project will allow the Port to realize many of its expansion and development targets.

    Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project

    About the Port of Victoria

    With inland waterways that lead to the Gulf of Mexico and markets throughout the world, the Port of Victoria provides water, rail, highway and air transportation options. It is a center for the chemical, construction, steel fabrication and agribusiness industries, offering access to all transportation modes.

    The Port is located on the Texas coast between Houston and Corpus Christi.

    To learn more about our work on the Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (866) 217-7794

  • TGB Group Sponsors Golf Fundraiser Event

    TGB Group Sponsors Golf Fundraiser Event

    Nearly 200 Rail Industry Golfers Participated

    For the fifth consecutive year, TGB Groups has helped to sponsor the annual golf fundraiser held by the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS). This year’s event happened at the Trails of The Woodlands club in The Woodlands, Texas.

    The October 2, 2020 golf fundraiser event was attended by 196 golfers from companies associated with the rail industry.

    TGB group sponsored the 7th hole on the Oaks Course, one of two courses at the Trails of The Woodlands. For this hole, the winner would be the golfer who could hit the longest drive. That honor went to Mark Dearing, owner of Vertex Builders.

    Other incentives at the SWARS golf fundraiser included the longest putt, the closest approach shot and a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge.

    Golf fundraiser benefits a scholarship fund

    As in years past, the golfing event raised money for the George Elking, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

    Elking is known within the rail industry, having served as SWARS president in 1995 and then as president of the North American Association of Rail Shippers in 1998.

    TGB Group is always excited to play in the golf fundraiser event and help support the Elking scholarship. Our employs have participated for the past 15 years, and we’ve been a proud hole sponsor since 2016.

    The large turnout of nearly 200 golfers shows the unity of many companies within the rail industry. We’re like a brotherhood – and sisterhood – who have built multiple industry connections and always enjoy getting reacquainted with the folks who make railroads run.

    SWARS meetings

    The golfing event fundraisers are held twice a year, always in conjunction with official SWARS meetings. We encourage individuals and companies in the rail industry to be part of the meetings, where critical information is discussed and to get involved in the golf fundraiser as a player or sponsor, where a good time is always guaranteed.

    Here’s a recap of our last SWARS golfing event.