At Gantrex, we take pride in our partnerships with woodyard industry leaders, and our recent successful collaboration with Drax Biomass, the leading producer of wood pellets for electricity in the USA, is a testament to our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions.

Drax, in partnership with Evergreen Engineering, approached us with concerns regarding several issues they were facing with their new crane and the runway installed on wood ties and ballast at their Morehouse, Louisiana facility. Within just a month of installation, the rail was experiencing significant vertical and lateral movement, measuring up to +2 inches and -2 inches respectively. This movement, combined with numerous broken ties and splice plates, along with excessive wear on both the rail and crane wheels, posed serious challenges to their operations.

In response to these challenges, Drax had been resorting to a time-consuming and costly monthly routine of resetting and replacing ties, replacing splice plates, and realigning the rail. Recognizing the urgent need for a robust and long-lasting solution, Gantrex’s team of experts went to work.

Drawing on our extensive expertise in rail infrastructure, we proposed a comprehensive and innovative solution to stabilize the soil and enhance the crane’s performance. We began by meticulously cutting and removing the existing subgrade, replacing it with engineered compacted fill, ensuring a stable foundation for the crane.

To address the issue of lateral movement, we engineered a deep foundation using high-quality concrete piles, providing unparalleled stability for the entire structure. Furthermore, we decided to replace the traditional ballast with new concrete beams, optimizing the support for the crane’s weight distribution and minimizing any future issues.

For the heavier crane rail, we designed and expertly installed a soft mounting fastening system that incorporated two expansion joints and two anchor points. We utilized our RailLok™ clips and pads on continuous sole plates to ensure secure and flexible fastening, allowing for the necessary movement while maintaining structural integrity.

The result was outstanding. Drax experienced a significant reduction in rail movement, broken ties, and wear on critical crane parts, leading to substantial savings on monthly labor, repair or replacement costs, and crane downtime. The initial investment in the refurbishment project was covered within just six months, a testament to the long-term cost-effectiveness of Gantrex’s solution.

Drax’s satisfaction with the outcome solidified our position as their preferred runway specialist, and we were delighted to embark on three additional successful projects in Amite, Mississippi; Gloster, Mississippi; and LaSalle, Louisiana.

At Gantrex, we take immense pride in our ability to engineer cutting-edge solutions that exceed expectations and deliver tangible results for our valued clients like Drax Biomass. Our ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction drives us to continue pushing boundaries and redefining industry standards.

As we look forward to future collaborations with Drax and other industry leaders, we remain focused on empowering reliable and efficient crane operations across the globe. Together, we aim to shape a more productive and sustainable future for the crane and rail infrastructure industry.

“Gantrex provided an outstanding solution to the significant challenges we faced with our crane runway at the Morehouse, Louisiana facility. Within a month of installation, we experienced severe rail movement (+2”/-2”), broken ties, splice plates, and excessive wear on the crane components. Our initial approach of frequent maintenance and realignment was costly and unsustainable.

Gantrex quickly implemented a long-term fix, stabilizing the subgrade, installing a deep concrete foundation, and replacing the ballast with concrete beams. Their advanced soft mounting fastening system, including RailLok™ clips and pads, eliminated our recurring issues and significantly reduced maintenance and downtime—allowing us to recover the investment in just six months.

Thanks to Gantrex’s expertise especially Mark Tinney, they have become our preferred runway specialist, completing additional projects in Amite, Gloster, and LaSalle. As Drax Biomass continues to grow, we look forward to working with them on future expansions.”

Rafael Moreno
Director of Business Development at Drax