WVCO Railroad Solutions Turns 25

Pictured: Use of SpikeFast® shortly after its 1999 market introduction. (WVCO Railroad Solutions Photograph)

WVCO Railroad Solutions is celebrating 25 years of service. Based in Eugene, Ore., it supplies crosstie remediation, dispensing, railcar coating, pavement and bearing pad repair, and bridge-deck waterproofing products.

“As we reach our 25th year in business, our commitment to service and innovation to the railroad industry is how it all started,” said John Murray, President and CEO of The Willamette Valley Company (WVCO), in an April 23 announcement. “The creation of SpikeFast® began with a simple question I asked to a group of railroaders: ‘What problem do you deal with every day that no one has solved?’ ‘Spike kill,’ was the answer. We returned a few months later with what we called ‘SpikeFast’ and the rest is history.”

Introduced in 1999, SpikeFast® is a remediation product for wood and composite crossties that is said to hold gauge, seal wood and prevent rot, and stop spike kill. According to WVCO Railroad Solutions, this “liquid wood” outperforms wood plugs and air-filled foams in both lateral resistance and pullout resistance in performance tests commissioned by Class I railroads.

Since launching SpikeFast®, the company said it has continued to update and add to the SpikeFast® line and develop products and equipment for concrete ties, railcars, light rail, structures, and dispensers.

“We celebrate not just our accomplishments, but the relationships we’ve built along the way,” said Rob Loomis, Vice President of WVCO’s Performance Products Division. “Our commitment to customer service and our dedication to innovation is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s what sets us apart. This anniversary is a testament to our team’s unwavering focus on excellence and continuous innovation.”

“We’re grateful for the trust and loyalty our customers have shown us over the years, and we’re excited to continue serving the industry with the same dedication and passion for many more years,” added Lee Nall, Director of Railroad in WVCO’s Performance Products Division.

Further Reading:

• Crosstie Tech: What’s New, What’s Next