Railcar Repair Services

Railcar Repair Services

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Certified railcar repair for every fleet

Freight cars wear down. Brakes, couplers, gates, and valves all need attention, and bad-order cars can’t sit idle for long. The Apache Railway Company provides railcar repair services at its car shop near Snowflake, Arizona, supported by AAR and FRA certifications that meet the highest standards.

From tank cars to hoppers, gondolas, and boxcars, our crews handle the repairs that keep freight moving. Whether it’s a quick fix in the yard, a scheduled program repair, or a mobile job at your site, Apache combines skilled technicians with the flexibility of a short line railroad.

Railcars we service

The Apache Railway Company provides railcar repair and maintenance for a wide range of freight cars. Our shop network and field services are designed to keep your fleet compliant, productive, and in service.

Tank cars

HazMat and non-HazMat service with inspections, valve work, and preventative maintenance to keep your railcars compliant.

Open top hoppers

Teams are equipped to inspect, blast, and recondition components so these cars can service commodities over a long-term basis.

Covered hoppers

Crews can perform many repairs in the field or in-shop, from gates to replacement parts, helping customers reduce freight costs.

Gondolas

Our repair teams are strategically located to help improve fleet utilization, providing dedicated on-site or shop-based solutions.

Flatcars

We inspect, replace, and recondition a wide variety of service equipment components, ensuring they comply with regulations to protect personnel.

Unit trains

Apache’s facilities service cars over a long-term basis, maximizing productivity and offering customers the optimal solution to keep fleets running.

General railcar repair services

Our repair shop in Snowflake handles a wide range of freight cars. Crews perform bad-order repairs, change-of-service modifications, routine inspections, and planned program work that reduces downtime for fleets.

Typical shop work includes:

  • Brake system inspections and replacements
  • Coupler and draft gear repair
  • Hopper gate repair and adjustment
  • Manway and valve work on tank cars
  • Structural welding, jacketing, and component replacement
  • Running gear replacement and brake system overhauls

Every repair is documented to meet AAR and FRA requirements, ensuring cars can return to interchange without delay.

Mobile railcar repair

Not every car can make it to the shop. That’s why Apache provides mobile railcar repair services within roughly a 200-mile radius of Snowflake. Our mobile crews are equipped to perform many common repairs in the field: brakes, couplers, gates, and light welding.

Mobile repairs can begin in the field and then be finished in the shop if the work requires it. The process doesn’t go the other way around—once a repair starts in the shop, it stays there until completion. All mobile work is coordinated by the shop manager to ensure consistency and compliance.

On-site railcar repair helps reduce freight costs and downtime. Customers don’t have to move bad-order cars long distances; Apache brings skilled technicians to them.

Tank car qualification & compliance

Tank cars require specialized work under strict regulations. Apache holds AAR M-1002 and M-1003 certifications for tank car qualification and inspection.

Our shop performs:

  • Rule 88 inspections
  • Valve and fitting repair or replacement
  • Pressure relief device testing
  • Change-of-service preparation
  • HazMat-compliant cleaning and reconditioning
  • Underframe, jacket and tank shell welding and repair

Apache also maintains volumes of QA and documentation procedures, which are subject to third-party audit and review.

Compliance isn’t optional. Apache’s qualified inspectors ensure every tank car meets federal specifications before it re-enters service.

Preventive maintenance services & program repairs

Repairs aren’t just about fixing problems after they happen. Apache helps customers manage fleet utilization with scheduled program repairs and preventive maintenance.

By planning inspections and component replacements in advance, shippers minimize downtime, extend car life, and keep cars in service instead of sidelined. Apache’s shop works with fleet managers to build schedules that fit operational needs and regulatory requirements.

Facility capabilities

Apache’s shop is equipped to handle both individual cars and unit-train level work. With four repair tracks/bays and heavy equipment on site—including an overhead crane, man-lifts, and steam heat equipment—the facility can take on demanding jobs.

The shop is also set up for winter-weather repairs, enclosed bay work, and climate-sensitive projects, ensuring cars can be serviced year-round.

Skilled crews and reliable turnaround

Our technicians are trained and certified to handle a wide range of railcar repair and maintenance tasks. Training covers specific repair skills such as welding, leak testing, and brake testing—not just general qualifications.

Whether working in the shop or in the field, the focus is on safety, compliance, and reliability.

  • Customers request service by email or phone call
  • Expedited service is available when needed
  • For contract repairs, a service agreement is required (not for AAR repairs)
  • Apache provides time estimates for repair jobs and works to stay on schedule
  • Post-repair inspections are carried out by trained personnel, and customers receive detailed repair reports and documentation

Turnaround times are kept as short as possible so fleets can return to service quickly. Customers also receive weekly updates on the status of their cars, along with all compliance documentation required for AAR and FRA audits.

Certified railcar repair services

The Apache Railway Company is certified under AAR M-1002 and M-1003 and operates under full FRA oversight. Our shop meets federal and industry standards for both hazardous and non-hazardous cars.

  • AAR-certified tank car qualifications
  • FRA-compliant inspections and repairs
  • Annual HazMat training for repair crews
  • Documented compliance for every job

Keeping your fleet running with certified railcar repair.

Why fleets choose Apache

The Apache Railway Company’s repair services combine the depth of a certified shop with the flexibility of a short line.

Located in northeast Arizona, near Snowflake, Apache connects directly to the BNSF transcontinental mainline at Holbrook. That means cars repaired at Apache move quickly into national circulation without added congestion or detours.

Apache’s location provides another edge: it sits on the primary Transcon route, with reach extending from California to Texas and beyond to the Upper Midwest. It is the only car repair shop in the Southwest positioned on this corridor.

For regional industries, Apache offers local access to a full-service repair facility without sending cars out of state. For national fleet operators, Apache provides a strategic location to repair and qualify cars bound for the Southwest and West Coast markets.

Keep your fleet running

Downtime costs money. The Apache Railway Company provides railcar repair services that keep fleets compliant, safe, and in service. From bad-order cars to full program repairs, Apache combines certified technicians with flexible service options—including mobile repair within 200 miles of Snowflake.

Contact us today to schedule railcar repair or discuss your fleet’s needs.