(Newsletter: Jan. 2026)
Project Spotlight: 30-Railcar Renewables Unloading Rack – West Virginia
S&S Technical is excited to showcase a major renewable fuels infrastructure project currently under fabrication – a 30-railcar unloading rack system in West Virginia, purpose-built to handle the demands of large-volume renewable fuel offloading with a full suite of engineered safety and efficiency enhancements.
Engineered Access: 30 Track-Mounted Railcar Gangways
At the heart of this system are 30 track-mounted railcar access gangways, allowing operators to safely access misaligned railcars without the need to reposition them – a common challenge in large-scale terminals. These gangways are designed to slide along a horizontal track, accommodating misspotted railcars by maintaining consistent platform-to-railcar access. This minimizes downtime and operational delays, improving throughput and reducing risk.
Vertical Store Safety Cages: OSHA-Compliant Fall Protection
Each gangway includes a vertical store railcar safety cage, engineered to provide OSHA-compliant fall protection while meeting critical clearance requirements. Vertical storage allows the cages to retract upward when not in use, ensuring they stay clear of the rail envelope to prevent interference with railcar movement and to meet Class I railway specifications.
Fluid Handling: 30 Heated & Insulated Unloading Arms
The system features 30 railcar unloading arms, each heat traced and insulated to maintain product integrity in all weather conditions – a key factor in handling renewable fuels. Compared to flexible hoses, unloading arms:
- Require less manual handling
- Provide greater durability
- Allow for faster, safer, and more repeatable connections
This results in improved ergonomics for operators and significantly reduces the risk of spills or hose fatigue over time.
Spill Containment: 30 Custom Railcar Spill Pans
Each railcar spot includes a custom-engineered spill pan, designed to capture any drips or incidental spills during unloading. This is a crucial feature in renewable fuel facilities where both environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. These pans are fabricated to meet containment capacity requirements and integrated into the facility’s stormwater and environmental control plan.
From Concept to Completion: Full-Stack Design & Engineering
S&S Technical provided a turnkey design package, including:
- PE-stamped drawings and structural calculations
- Foundation design and loading data
- 3D modeling to support accurate site planning and visualization
As a single-source provider, S&S delivers design, fabrication, automation, and integration all under one roof, reducing project timelines and coordination challenges.
Your Partner in Loading & Unloading Trucks & Railcars
Whether you’re building new or upgrading existing infrastructure, S&S Technical can take your project from concept to completion. We combine industry expertise, in-house engineering, and a commitment to safety and performance to deliver systems that work – and last.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your next terminal project.