Train manufacturers and distributors are essential players in the transportation industry, helping people and products move across nations and continents. Train manufacturing today is very specialized, with companies each carving their niche to become expert train manufacturers for a specific area.

Whether you are looking for rail car manufacturers, a locomotive manufacturer to transport product or electrical train manufacturers to transport people, this article will provide you with train manufacturers and distributors basics so you know what to look for when comparing train companies and train distributors. To get a better understanding of the train manufacturing and distribution business, it is important to learn more about the following:

1. Train manufacturing companies that are experts in the type of train your business requires;

2. Freight train and rail car manufacturers for transporting product safely;

3. Light rail train manufacturers and passenger train manufacturers for transporting people safely.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for train manufacturers and distributors with a niche in the area your business requires

Trains today are highly specialized. Designers focus on manufacturing not just your standard locomotive, but railway trains, trains for monorails and electric trains. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is a secondary business for train parts and train-related equipment from rail cars to rail car movers to railroad axles.

I recommend: Astronomy-awards lists a variety of manufacturers and distributors of trains and includes some information on each listing's speciality. There is an infinite number of companies that provide service and parts for locomotives, rail cars and intermodal containers. For a list of these companies and their specialties, check out Rail Serve's Maintenance of Way Equipment and Services web page.

Learn about rail car manufacturers and train companies that are experts in transporting products

There are many different types of trains available in the marketplace for the sole purpose of transporting products. If you require hazardous liquids to be transported then you would look for a tank car manufacturer. For products that fit neatly into crates then consider a box car producer. If your company transports coal or other fossil fuels, then you would likely be looking for mining and tunneling trains.

I recommend: American Railcar Industries manufactures covered hopper cars and tank cars for transporting products in liquid and solid form. They also provide full service repairs. If your business is mining, then consider Brookville Equipment, which produces mining rail-mounted locomotives and tunneling locomotives.

Investigate train companies that build passenger commuting trains

Passenger trains come in many shapes and sizes. Companies manufacture everything from a metro to a tram to a high-speed elevated train for the specific purposes of transporting high volumes of people safely and efficiently.

I recommend: Alstom Transport specializes in commuter trains like trams and light rail. Aeromovel is a manufacturer of elevated trains specifically for passenger transportation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Products produced by train companies are a large financial investment and expenditure. If your company only requires transportation on an infrequent basis, or perhaps doesn't want the hassle of train maintenance, then consider a leasing company. Many companies specialize in providing lease packages for shorter-term commitments.

Train companies have become more prevalent in recent years do to a resurgence of train usage across the nation. They have gained in popularity as an inexpensive way to for shipping companies to transport large or bulk items, and as a resource for individual travel.

Train car manufacturers are now able to accommodate almost any request, from high-speed locomotives for faster travel to heavy duty train cars that can carry over-sized loads to smaller versions of trains that are used as children's rides in amusement parks.

Train manufacturers and distributors produce many different trains for a wide variety of purposes. It's easy to find the right sources when your company needs to:

1. Work with passenger train manufacturers for the production of trains that include sleeping compartments, dining areas and wash room facilities;

2. Hire freight train manufacturers to produce compartment trains that can carry large and heavy duty items;

3. Contact train locomotive manufacturers to request an engine be designed to your specifications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a locomotive manufacturer

Locomotives come in a variety of styles and are made to be highly efficient and powerful. They can be designed for use in any type of environment, including underground passages and terrain that is not easily accessible. Some train locomotive manufacturers even produce models that may be operated by remote control.

I recommend: Have your locomotive manufactured by Republic Locomotive, Irwin Car and Equipment or National Railway Equipment. General Electric produces a hybrid locomotive for environmentally conscious companies.

Hire rail car manufacturers

Rail car manufacturers produce the flat empty cars that are designed to transport goods. Most of these manufacturing companies also provide repair service for cars that have become damaged.

I recommend: Work with American Railcar Industries or Bombardier for your rail car needs.

Contact light rail train manufacturers

Light rail trains are most commonly used for inter-city transportation. Many large cities feature these trains, and they are commonly used by commuters and anyone who is looking for an inexpensive way to get to their destination.

I recommend: Try railspur, Brookville Equipment or Republic Locomotive when you need light rail trains.

Locate electric train manufacturers

Electric leisure trains are popular rides at amusement parks and other family oriented attractions. They offer a slow but exciting journey, usually through a creative man-made landscape. The trains can be designed to look like almost anything, including animals, cartoon characters or large toys.

I recommend: Severn Lamb and Dubol Playground provide electric passenger trains for theme parks and other attractions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Work with train manufacturers and distributors that produce electrical or hybrid trains to save money on gasoline and be environmentally friendly.
• •  Consider including power jacks on the seat backs of your trains so that passengers may use electronic equipment during their trips.

Train manufacturers and distributors need consistent sources of quality training and education to remain viable within their industries. From train mechanics to railroad maintenance, train manufacturing companies require quality training resources to develop and maintain the special skills of these fields.

Rail car manufacturers are always subject to numerous safety and security regulations that are often learned only through training. Every locomotive manufacturer looking for quality sources of train manufacturers and distributors education and training should consider the following:

1. Rail car manufacturers need a strong arsenal of resources for locomotive repair and inspection information.
2. Every locomotive manufacturer needs a strong base of mechanical skills to keep their products current and efficient.
3. Train companies must receive regular training on safety and security to ensure their products meet ever-changing regulations.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn more about locomotive repair and inspection for train manufacturers and distributors

Training classes that help you understand the mechanics behind track repair and locomotive mechanics can provide the knowledge you need to give sound advice and shore up more business. Train manufacturers and distributors education and training geared toward these specialties can help. Look to these sources of training for passanger train manufacturers.

I recommend: Arch-Tech.net is the place to find the latest news on classes and online training for railroad track repair. Rail Sciences offers training resources on mechanical inspection, track de-railment investigation and other valuable topics manufacturers should know.

Get the latest mechanical railroad training services for train companies

Knowing the mechanical background and framework of railroads and locomotives is a must for train manufacturers and distributors. Railcar manufacturers can benefit greatly, both professionally and monetarily, from keeping up to date on the latest techniques and trends. Look to these sources for this crucial training and professional development.

I recommend: Canac offers world-class mechanical railroad training services for virtually all aspects of the industry. Fitzpatrick Rail Services offers video seminars online that cover many aspects of mechanical railroad training.

Find the latest safety training and education for the train manufacturing industry

With so much riding on safety in this business, it's important to know how to ensure locomotives and railroad tracks meet the latest train manufacturing standards. Look to these sources of safety training and education for train distributors and manufacturers.

I recommend: Rail Training & Consulting is a go-to source for safety and risk management training for rail industry professionals. The Railway Educational Bureau is another great one-stop-shop for training on rail safety and other relevant rail training topics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Train manufacturers and distributors are subject to many different environmental regulations. Why not find new ways to go green? Many sources of education and training for train manufacturers can offer design and mechanical techniques for achieving maximum fuel efficiency.

The ability to receive train manufacturers and distributors news and trend information is vital to business success. There are many ways to receive this information so that those who work in the railway industry can be aware of things including governmental issues, financial rises and falls as well as new models and designs of freight, passenger and electric trains.

Having up-to-date train manufacturers and distributors news and trends information will help train companies and distributors increase the profitability of their businesses as well as to be aware of stock market rises and falls that could affect them financially. Consider the following when seeking train manufacturers and distributors news and trends:

1. Read industry magazines and journals for railcar manufacturers to find information about the latest news and trends.

2. Go to websites of freight and passenger train manufacturers to find the latest news and information.

3. Become a member of train manufacturer and distributor organizations to receive current news and information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read magazines and journals for rail car manufacturers to learn the latest news and trends

There are many railway industry magazines, journals and blogs where freight and electric train manufacturers and distributors can find the latest news and information. There are articles about many topics including new models and designs of locomotives, as well as financial news and trends so that rail car manufacturers can stay updated on the latest information.

I recommend: Find information about train locomotive manufacturers and companies at Trains Magazine. Read the articles about train car manufacturers at Railway Age.

Find information about new train designs at websites for train manufacturing companies

Many train companies feature the latest news and trends on their websites. This is a great way for other train manufacturing companies to learn about new designs and issues with regard to train car manufacturers and distributors. Many locomotive manufacturer websites feature photographs as well as descriptions of new train designs as well as upcoming company and railway business news and trends.

I recommend: Browse through photographs of new models at the website of locomotive manufacturer, Republic Locomotive. Read the news releases about upcoming trends and events from light rail train manufacturer, Alstrom Transport.

Join organizations for train manufacturers and distributors to learn about news and trends

A great way to receive the latest railroad manufacturer and distributor information is by joining associations and organizations for those who work in the railway industry. These groups feature current press releases about issues specific to passenger and freight train manufacturers as well as information about governmental issues and upcoming industry events and conferences.

I recommend: Join the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association to receive news for passenger and freight train manufacturers. Read the Weekly Traffic Reports and other rail news information for train distributors at the Association of American Railroads.