Tank cars don’t stay in service forever. On a 10 year cycle, every valve, fitting, weld, and relief device must be tested and documented. Without a current qualification, a car cannot legally return to interchange.

For shippers and fleet managers, tank car qualification is necessary downtime designed to keep cars in safe operating condition. Apache approaches this work as more than compliance—it’s the foundation of trust between our car shop and our customers and the very meaning of our ethic of service.

Apache holds AAR M-1002 and M-1003 certifications, which authorize us to perform the full scope of tank car qualification and inspection. These approvals cover safety systems, service equipment, and modifications, ensuring cars leave Snowflake ready for interchange.

Our activity codes include:

• B81 – Safety systems for tank cars
• B89 – Tank car service equipment
• B90 – Safety systems and modifications
• C5 – Valves, fittings, and safety equipment testing

Tank cars must undergo thorough inspection before returning to service. Apache’s certified inspectors perform the AAR- and FRA-approved non-destructive testing (NDT) methods required to confirm integrity without damaging the car.

The methods we perform include:

• VT (Visual Testing): internal and external checks for wear, corrosion, or defects
• PT (Penetrant Testing): dye penetrant methods to reveal surface cracks or flaws
• BLT (Bubble Leak Testing): leak detection under pressure
• MT (Magnetic Particle Testing): checks for cracks in ferrous materials
• UT (Ultrasonic Testing): sound wave testing for material flaws
• UTT (Ultrasonic Thickness Testing): measures wall thickness to confirm safe operating life
• Hydrostatic Pressure Testing: pressurizing the tank to verify structural integrity

In addition, Apache conducts structural integrity inspections, post-repair checks, and emergency inspections. Every test is documented and retained for customer, FRA and AAR audits.

Service equipment—valves, relief devices, and fittings—must be requalified at set intervals. Apache provides full qualification for these components, including repair, replacement, and certification.

Our service equipment work includes:

• Ten-year service equipment qualifications
• Valve and fitting repair or replacement
• Pressure relief device testing and certification
• Change-of-service preparation

Apache’s shop is equipped to handle both individual cars and fleet programs. With four repair tracks, overhead cranes, man-lifts, and steam heating equipment, the facility can manage climate-sensitive projects year-round. Cars move through a secure yard with direct BNSF interchange, ensuring a smooth return to service.

Typical rail car turnaround averages 4–5 weeks, depending on the scope of work. Expedited service is available, and Apache provides clear estimates up front along with regular progress updates.

A tank car’s inspection isn’t complete without proper documentation. Apache provides detailed reports to customers, retains qualification records for FRA and AAR audits, and subjects its own procedures to third-party review.

For customers, this means fewer surprises, clear audit trails, and confidence that every car leaving Snowflake is compliant and defensible.