NS Sues over defective ties

[Mark5]

Story here:

http://www.roanoke.com/business/news/norfolk-southern-sues-over-millions-of-rail-ties-it-calls/article_e5f8cce2-574e-5e79-adad-08d07bcb012a.html

[Missaberoad]

Don't tell Hunter... Wouldn't want to give him any ideas... 

[dougnelson]

ugh! it should not be that hard to do some independent testing to insure that the ties meet specifications prior to installing almost 5 million of them.

[Mark5]

ugh! it should not be that hard to do some independent testing to insure that the ties meet specifications prior to installing almost 5 million of them.

Not if you're out hunting!

Boatright also provided misleading samples to a consultant for the railroad who was checking on the quality of its work, the lawsuit alleges. The Alabama firm's employees were instructed to take the consultant out hunting at the same time he was to be inspecting railroad ties being treated at the facility, the lawsuit states.

[DKS]

I should think just the lack of a creosote smell might be a clue. I've helped lay 1:1 track, and there's no mistaking the aroma of properly-treated ties.

[Dave V]

That’s why NS should use Unitrack instead of hand-laying their own.

[Point353]

They should try composite ties: http://www.axionsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ECOTRAX-brochure-WEBfinal.pdf

[Scottl]

Or concrete.   

[Missaberoad]

Or concrete.

Depending on the region that may not be the best option... CN laid concrete ties across Manitoba (SK and AB aswell?) in the 1970's and wound up replacing them with wood within a decade or two... The concrete did not react well with the harsh prairie climate and the ties are now a common sight in parking lots...

CN seemed to have much better success with concrete in Ontario and out west however...

[Scottl]

A bad batch, perhaps.  Seemingly 5 million is a batch for quality control 

[Missaberoad]

A bad batch, perhaps.  Seemingly 5 million is a batch for quality control 

entirely possible, however wood ties remain the standard on the prairies with few exceptions, while the Canadian Shield and Rockies see the use of concrete ties of similar vintage (1970's)

I'm sure there is a good story there...

[havingfuntoo]

The consultant is even more responsible for the use of the non compliant product and hopefully held to account. You would think he would have made unanounced field trips to check the product in usage and ensure that it was meeting the standard specified.
His actions are just as, or even more criminal than the actions by the suppliers, he was engaged to ensure that standards were met.
A level of responsibility also needs to be directed to NS for not employing qualified people or having an active in house standards dept for such a crucial part of their operation. The out sourcing of these types of responsibilities too often attracts the acceptance of short cuts sponsored by graft.

[C855B]

Interesting. At the time we moved away from Atlanta (1991), NS had their own tie treatment plant at Inman Yard. Gone now, can't find any trace of it. Bet they're regretting it now.

[Point353]

Moving forward, does the tie supplier try to pin the blame on the consultant, because he supposedly "approved" their process/products, or do they declare bankruptcy - or both?

[wazzou]

Moving forward, does the tie supplier try to pin the blame on the consultant, because he supposedly "approved" their process/products, or do they declare bankruptcy - or both?

Tie supplier was sold to Stella Jones in 2014.  It's the Canadian's fault.