Proven, Engineered Retaining Walls for Rail and Transit
When it comes to critical railroad infrastructure, only the most technically sound solutions will suffice. Whether your next railway project needs to support a live load, cross a wetland, hold up an embankment, eliminate a switch, or even elevate a track, Redi-Rock can help.
An Ideal Solution for Railroad Retaining Walls
Redi-Rock precast modular block (PMB) products and accessories are made of first-purpose, air-entrained, wetcast concrete that will stand the test of time. The broad range of massive blocks can be used to build gravity, reinforced, freestanding or hybrid walls, and the system is backed up by a wealth of engineering resources and a technical support team to help you tackle your toughest rail projects. With natural stone textures, the solutions look great, too!
New Mexico Department of Transportation used Redi-Rock for a number of bridge abutments and retaining walls as the Rail Runner commuter train line was being constructed to connect Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Read the case study.
After a 19th century stone and mortar wall failed, causing the private bridge it was supporting to collapse onto an active railroad track, a quick solution was needed. Norfolk Southern worked with JMB Construction and local Redi-Rock supplier Paxton Precast to get a 13.5-foot (4.1-meter) gravity wall installed. Read the case study.
When a crumbling crib wall needed to be replaced along Chicagoland's Metra rail line, the City of Harvey took the opportunity to improve the look of its downtown area as well as replace the aging wall. They chose Redi-Rock Limestone retaining walls for the 3,553-square-foot (330-square-meter) project. Read the case study.
New Mexico Department of Transportation used Redi-Rock for a number of bridge abutments and retaining walls as the Rail Runner commuter train line was being constructed to connect Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Read the case study.
During the replacement of two bridges along Metro-North's rail lines connecting New York City and outlying suburbs, gravity retaining walls supplied by Mid-Hudson Concrete Products were installed during track outages using rail-mounted equipment.
New Mexico Department of Transportation used Redi-Rock for a number of bridge abutments and retaining walls as the Rail Runner commuter train line was being constructed to connect Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Read the case study.
After a 19th century stone and mortar wall failed, causing the private bridge it was supporting to collapse onto an active railroad track, a quick solution was needed. Norfolk Southern worked with JMB Construction and local Redi-Rock supplier Paxton Precast to get a 13.5-foot (4.1-meter) gravity wall installed. Read the case study.
Can Redi-Rock Solve Your Problems?
Optimize Your Design for Rail Applications
Gravity Walls
In many scenarios, tall gravity walls can be used to simplify rail projects. With no need for tiebacks, the massive PMBs stack up like giant Lego blocks to hold back the earth with their mass. The patented knob and groove technology provides a strong sheer interface connection, as well as makes the proper setback angle easy to achieve. With the easy installation sequence, track closures and downtime can be kept to a minimum!
Reinforced Walls
Reinforced walls designed with Positive Connection (PC) blocks can meet the most demanding structural needs of rail projects, including meeting AASHTO LRFD and AREMA specifications. Strips of geogrid wrap through a core slot cast into the block creating a weight independent connection. Not only can these MSE walls support heavy live loads and reach extreme heights, there's also no need to worry about metal fasteners or reinforcement interacting with stray electrical current.
Freestanding Walls
Redi-Rock Freestanding blocks can create parapet, barrier or force protection options to provide top of wall safety functionality. With texture on two sides, freestanding blocks can be used to create a stand-alone wall or be used with other wall types to complete the integrated wall solutions.
Hybrid Walls
Hybrid solutions are an option with the Redi-Rock system because all wall types can be combined to create integrated wall solutions. Whatever the engineering demands are behind the wall, the face of the wall presents a cohesive solution. Mix and match the wall types you need to get the engineered result you're after for your next rail project.
Design Resources for Rail Projects
Redi-Rock has a wide variety of design resources available to keep you on the right track as you design your next railroad project.
Construction Details for Rail Projects
Check out the construction details library for tips and tricks on the most common construction layouts you could use on your next rail project.
Redi-Rock Railroad Case Studies
Railway Project in Canada
In 2011, a railway in Canada and the Montreal Metro began construction on a major renovation project. The goal of the project was to eliminate an at-grade crossing where the rail line crossed over the Societe de Transport de Montreal (STM) light commuter Metro line. Take a look at how engineers utilized the Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) System's ability to handle massive loads to complete this project.
New Mexico Rail Runner Express Project
When the Rail Runner Express commuter train in New Mexico needed retaining walls and bridge abutments along the rail line, engineers chose the Redi-Rock retaining wall system for it's versatility and proven track record. Read on to see how this project incorporated both Redi-Rock gravity walls and Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) System walls to meet the requirements of this railway project.
LDH Energy Rail Yard Renovation
After sitting unused for 30 years, this rail yard needed to be renovated before LDH Energy could begin using it. The yard includes three rail lines that cross over the top of a concrete box culvert flanked by deteriorating wooden cross tie retaining walls that had to be replaced in order to support the rails. Find out why engineers chose the Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) System as the best solution for this project.
Redi-Rock Railway Project Spotlights
Metro-North Railroad Used Redi-Rock Gravity Walls to Navigate Wetlands
Metro-North Railroad, which runs service between New York City and its northern suburbs in New York and Connecticut, used Redi-Rock gravity walls along existing rail lines while navigating wetlands and active rail activity. Check out this short video to see how Mid-Hudson Concrete Products partnered with Civil Design Professionals and Ecco III Enterprises to bring this solution to fruition.
Montreal REM Light Rail Transit Used Redi-Rock Gravity Walls
Reseau Express Metropolitain (REM) expanded their service capabilities in the Greater Montreal area using Redi-Rock gravity walls along rail corridors. Fortier 2000 Redi-Rock partnered with LDA Services Conseils for the wall design and NouvLR for wall installation.
Southwest Green Line LRT Utilized Hybrid Redi-Rock Solution
The Southwest Green Line LRT in Minneapolis took shape with a hybrid wall featuring both gravity and reinforced sections utilizing the smooth texture. Eull's Redi-Rock partnered with Blackstone Contractors for the wall installation and Gray Engineering for the wall design. AECOM and WSP led the project's planning and engineering.
BNSF & Illinois Tollway Expanded with 15-Foot (4.6-Meter) & 18-Foot (5.5-Meter) Temporary Walls
The Illinois Tollway (i-294) and BNSF used Redi-Rock XL, a hollow-core block with twice the face coverage as standard Redi-Rock blocks, for temporary walls for a highway and railway expansion. Minnick Services partnered with Woolpert for wall design and Walsh Construction for wall installation.
Union Pacific Leveraged Redi-Rock Gravity Walls in Chicago Area
Railroads often use Redi-Rock to stabilize their tracks and enhance the aesthetics of urban areas with Redi-Rock. Minnick Services partnered with Union Pacific on this gravity wall transformation in the Chicago region.
Toronto Metrolinx Expanded with Redi-Rock Gravity Walls to Better Connect Toronto
The Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown will provide a midtown connection between east and west Toronto. Miller Group Redi-Rock partnered with Perzia Geosolutions for the wall design and Verdi Alliance for wall installation.