Rail
We offer a range of products and services that can help rail companies improve their operations and manage their infrastructure. Paradox offers earthworks solutions that can help rail companies with grading, excavation, and other earthworks tasks. We also offer geosynthetics solutions, including Tough Cell® — a high performance geocell made of a proprietary Neoloy® material which can be used to reinforce soil, protect against erosion, and guard against degradation of the subgrade. Additionally, Paradox provides engineering services through our partners at Stratum Logics that can help rail companies design and implement custom solutions for their specific needs.
Our products and services are designed to help rail companies improve their operations and protect their infrastructure, and we have a proven track record of success in the rail industry. Whether you need help with earthworks, geosynthetics, or engineering, Paradox can provide the solutions you need to succeed.
Solutions
- EARTHWORKS – services include excavation, grading, aggregate hauling, and more
- TOUGH CELL® – cellular confinement system or geocell for soil stabilization and reinforcement
- STRATUM LOGICS – engineering partner focused on creating custom solutions
Resources
Project Profile
Churchill Rail Line Repair
Paradox was tasked with the reconstruction of the Hudson Bay Rail Line to reconnect the community of Churchill with a viable mode of transportation. The Hudson Bay Rail Line was completed in 1929, since then, it has been the only mode of transport to Churchill, Northern Manitoba. The spring floods of 2017 washed away several sections of the track where the rail line intersected with streams. A total of 2km of rail line was washed away.
Paradox rose to the occasion by implementing repairs in under 60 days using Tough Cell® Technology. We kicked off the project in September 2018 and finished off in November 2018. Our engineering innovation conquered the complicated challenges presented by the landscape the rail line was situated in such as working on soft subgrade due to the permafrost as well as protecting against future erosion.
Our engineered solution utilizing Tough Cell® provided a unique solution to environmental challenges like protection against natural ecosystem degradation. In comparison to other contractors’ cost estimates, Paradox was able to complete all of the repairs with just 20-25% of those estimations. The success of this railway line project demonstrates the viability of Tough Cell® as an infrastructure solution in permafrost regions.
Challenge
Churchill is a port city on Hudson Bay 156 miles from the nearest town. Part of Churchill’s appeal is its remoteness, it is a popular tourist destination for wildlife such as polar bears and beluga whales, but its remoteness was also one of its major challenges for the rail line reconstruction.
The remoteness of the location made transporting necessary materials as well as crew a challenge. With the railway line as the sole transportation method, a linear construction schedule had to be followed. The areas of line that needed repair had to be completed in the order the train could reach them, so an end-to-end construction method with resistance to weather conditions was essential.
Other core challenges we faced during the Hudson Bay Rail Line reconstruction largely rested on its geographic location. The northern latitude posed environmental challenges regarding the instability of the ground because of permafrost. The same flood that washed away the railway line also impacted the permafrost layer beneath, calling for additional stability enforcement to provide enough structural strength to withstand railway traffic. The Paradox team sought to mitigate risks of further flood damage in the future, so erosion control was also essential.
Solution
The Paradox team decided to use Tough Cell® Technology for the unique circumstances of the Hudson Bay Rail Line. We implemented the use of high-strength novel-polymeric alloy (NPA) geocell reinforcement because it offered a sustainable, long-term strategy for permafrost cycles, unpredictable weather conditions, and could act as a degradation safeguard.
NPA geocell technology is an innovative product for rails that can undergo cycles of extensive load because the design allows for a better distribution of weight. The structural layers of geocells reduce the stress transferred to soft subgrades by improving the reinforcement of the sub-ballast. In this way, geocell technology guards against degradation of soft subgrades as well as improves structural stability, making it ideal for permafrost regions.
Our implementation of Tough Cell® Technology allowed for the use of locally sourced aggregates. Rather than transport heavy materials by train, the geocell design could be reinforced by utilizing locally available infills, simultaneously reducing environmental impact and cutting costs. Its long-term durability and low maintenance requirements also made it a cost-effective long-term solution.
Our team was able to follow a linear construction schedule because Tough Cell® Technology can be folded for transport. This allowed the Paradox team to easily transport and install it, saving on transport costs and reducing the timeframe of construction.
Paradox Difference
The Paradox team completed the construction during the short construction season of Northern Manitoba. The crew faced the unpredictable and harsh weather of the northern climate by being appropriately equipped and prepared. The exceptional teamwork and seamless project management of our team made for the efficient implementation of Tough Cell® Technology despite the environmental and situational challenges.
The transport limitations were exacerbated by the slow speed of the train under load. It was essential for our team to pre-plan accordingly to ensure efficient labor and materials were available onsite. Beyond transport limitations, the remoteness of the project also caused communication issues. Despite this, we made use of our team’s innovation to ensure smooth communication which ultimately resulted in the success of the project. The significant challenges of the project were overcome by our team’s preparedness, teamwork, and expertise.