Railway Derails & Rerailers

OSHA, FRA, and DOT regulations require derail protection for all active rail sidings

At SafeRack, we’re committed to providing top-of-the-line bulk loading solutions, which include an essential element of railway safety—railway derails and rerailers. SafeRack offers Aldon’s derails and retailers, and over the years with our full range of railcar products, we’ve earned the trust of our esteemed clients through the exceptional quality and performance of our railway equipment.

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Derail

Hinged Railroad Derails

Two-Way Hinged Railroad Derails

When stopping a freight car or locomotive is critical, derails serve as emergency stopping devices, guiding wheels off the rail to prevent unauthorized movement. OSHA mandates derails on industrial sidings to block locomotive entry before railcars are removed, enhancing worksite safety and compliance.

Hinged derails can be easily lifted on and off the rail manually or with our Lifting Lever. The blue derail sign operates separately, with an option to upgrade to a Pop-up Sign Holder for One-Way or Two-Way derails for added visibility and convenience.

Freight Car Derail

Designed for freight cars and 4-axle locomotives at speeds of 5 mph or less. Not compatible with 6-axle locomotives.

Options:

  • Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-03
  • Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-14
Locomotive Derail

Low-angle deflection bar accommodates the longer wheelbase of 6-axle locomotives. Compatible with 6-axle and 4-axle locomotives as well as freight cars, designed for speeds of 10 mph or less.

Options:

  • Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-18
  • Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-20

One-Way Hinged Railroad Derails

Derails serve as critical emergency stopping devices, designed to safely guide the wheels of a freight car or locomotive off the rails to prevent unauthorized movement. OSHA regulations mandate derails on industrial sidings to block locomotive entry until railcars are ready for removal, ensuring compliance and worksite safety.

Hinged derails can be manually lifted on and off the rail or operated with the Derail Lifting Lever. The blue derail sign is adjusted separately by hand, with an optional Pop-up Sign Holder available for One-Way or Two-Way derails to enhance visibility.

Designed for use on wooden ties, these derails accommodate 4-axle and 6-axle locomotives and freight cars operating at speeds of 10 mph or less.

Left Throw Derail

Options:

  • Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-01
  • Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-10
Right Throw Derail

Options:

  • Manual Lift Sign Holder – 4014-02
  • Pop-Up Sign Holder – 4014-12

Portable Railroad Derails

Formed-steel housing • Tool free installation • Tie-biting anchor hooks.

Hinged derails can be easily lifted on and off the rail manually or with our Lifting Lever. The blue derail sign operates separately, with an option to upgrade to a Pop-up Sign Holder for One-Way or Two-Way derails for added visibility and convenience.

Single-Direction

For all locomotives and all freight cars. Rails 90-142 Ibs./yd., 10 mph or less

Options:
Left Throw – 4014-06-S
Right Throw – 4014-07-S

Two-Direction

For all locomotives and all freight cars.
Rails 100-142 Ibs./yd., 10 mph or less
4014-08-S

For 4-axle locomotives and freight cars.
Rails 100-142 Ibs./yd., 5 mph or less
4014-09-S

LIGHTWEIGHT: Easy to carry

Rerailers for Locomotive & Freight Cars

Rerailer for Steel Mill Cars – The Big Red

Our BIG RED Rerailers are constructed from high-strength alloy steel, designed to support the weight of up to 450-ton railcars or locomotives.

For secure placement, a safety chain is required to anchor the rerailers to the rail.

To ensure proper operation, both an inside and an outside rerailer must be used. Big Red Rerailers are sold separately and must be used in pairs for effective railcar re-railing.

Straddle Type Freight Car Rerailers

Straddle-Type Freight Car Rerailers

Designed for standard-size freight cars and locomotives, these cast-steel rerailers efficiently guide all wheels back onto the track with a single placement. A chain and hook system ensures a secure hold to the rails, providing stability and reliability during rerailing operations.

McCarty Freight Car Rerailers

A proven, time-tested design for two-way rerailing of locomotives and heavy freight cars, these cast-steel rerailers securely straddle two ties and hook onto the rail head for stability.

Featuring sturdy carrying handles at each end, they rest alongside the ties to prevent sliding as the wheel mounts the ramp. No wedges or spiking are required—simply clear some gravel away from the ties and hook the rerailers onto the rail for quick, efficient use.

“Burlington” Style Freight Car Rerailer

Designed for standard-size freight cars, these double-ended “Burlington” style rerailers use clamps and wedges to lock securely onto the rails, preventing slipping or displacement during rerailing. A complete setup requires one Inside and one Outside rerailer, which can be reversed and repositioned to accommodate various derailment scenarios.