Cold weather brings challenges, but Team NS is always ready.

If you've ever wondered how we operate through the winter, check out this pull-apart repair in Bellevue, Ohio, where our railroaders kept the tracks safe and trains moving.

What happens? 

When rail joints are installed in warm weather, colder temperatures can cause the rail to contract. This puts extra pressure on the bolts holding the joints together. Over time, if the pressure becomes too great, the bolts can break — causing a pull-apart, where one side of the joint loses its bolts. 

How do we fix it? 

Our skilled railroaders use controlled heat — generated by flammable materials at the base of the rail — to expand the rail, closing the gap so new bolts can be installed and track integrity restored. 

This is just one of the many ways the NS team keeps freight moving safely — no matter what the weather brings.