Rail Industry Specialist, Inc. (RIS) worked with International Paper to convert 23 existing Log Bunk Railcars for transporting pulpwood logs from Alabama to Georgia.

The railcars had previously been configured to transport longer telephone poles and required modifications to accommodate International Paper’s shorter 100”–104” pulpwood logs. RIS developed and managed a conversion program that included repositioning the load-support structure and installing new reinforced stanchions to safely secure the new loads.

The cars had also received AAR Increased Life Status (ILS) approval, extending their service life by an additional 15 years.

The project provided International Paper with a practical, cost-effective alternative to purchasing new railcars while successfully repurposing existing assets for a new application. The Mobile Repair and Updates helped save transportation costs.

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