MAINTENANCE PRACTICES AMONG PRIVATE RAILCAR FLEET OPERATORS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN CHEMICALS AND PLASTICS INDUSTRY

This study examines the inventory management problem facing the operators of the substantial private railcar fleets of equipment serving the chemicals and plastics industries. They are served by private, specialized rail car firms that collectively manage 25% of the rail stock in the U.S. The research examined how producers managed their fleet maintenance and found that they keep their equipment at higher standards than either those required by regulations or standard industry practice. Maintenance of these specialty fleets is affected by unique factors, such as excessively rough use and exposure to damaging materials, which threaten their timely availability. In addition, they are often used as rolling warehouses and put in service within a company. The research is part of an effort to create benchmark standards for upkeep. The plastics and chemical makers generally outsource nearly all maintenance work and do not expend many resources on monitoring the effectiveness and suitability of maintenance routines. The findings suggest the need for more research into maintenance practices in other bulk industries.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1588960
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Winter 2001/Spring 2002
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Transportation and Logistics

  1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1900
  Arlington, VA  United States  22209
• Authors:
  • Young, R R
  • Stenger, A J
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 61-70
• Serial:
  • Transportation Journal
  • Volume: 41
  • Issue Number: 2/3
  • Publisher: American Society of Transportation and Logistics
  • ISSN: 0041-1612
  • Serial URL: https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/psup/transportation-journal

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asset management; Chemicals; Hazardous materials; Hopper cars; Maintenance practices; Plastics; Standards; Tank cars
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00932926
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 2002 12:00AM