July 17, 2025, Pueblo, CO — Across every facet of the business, MxV Rail is helping the railroad industry make strides in sustainability, efficiency, and safety in freight rail transportation.

Widely regarded as the cleanest and most efficient way to move goods in the U.S., our freight rail network is also critical to the economy. MxV Rail research is the industry’s leading source for shared insights that ensure the rail community can meet growing demands for safer, more efficient, and more resilient transportation while supporting economic growth.

“At a time when nearly every commodity in America relies on rail transport at some stage of its journey, maximizing railway efficiency is absolutely necessary to meet our country’s transportation demands and keep our economy humming,” said Kari Gonzales, MxV Rail President & CEO. “Every division of MxV Rail is dedicated to helping the railroads continue leadership in sustainability and support resilience in the supply chain.”

Energy Efficiency Solutions

MxV Rail is proud of its collaboration on research and testing that led to North America’s first commercially available battery-electric switcher locomotive.

Whether it’s conducting the research to pioneer developments in locomotive suspension performance or bringing expertise to the mechanical work in the Heavy Duty Maintenance Facility, the MxV Rail teams bring vast knowledge to the work of improving efficiencies that support energy diversification.

Forward Looking Research

“We couldn’t be more proud of the long-term work happening here at MxV Rail,” continued Gonzales. “Ongoing research, guided by the railroads’ Strategic Research Initiatives, helps define shared challenges within the rail industry and prioritize technologies to develop for the future.”

With climate variability posing great uncertainty for our North American rail network, MxV Rail experts are developing advanced simulations to understand the effects of extreme heat and other environmental conditions on rail operations. Additionally, radar technology and new monitoring techniques are enhancing the ability to assess terrain substructure layers, bolstering rail track resiliency.

These advancements illustrate MxV Rail’s commitment to addressing operational risks while improving sustainability across the industry.

Modernized Safety and Emergency Training

Safety remains paramount for all stakeholders and the rail industry. MxV Rail’s Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) recently launched the first federally funded responder training course focused on alternative fuels and electric vehicle (EV) emergencies. The AFFIRM course—developed in collaboration with FEMA and industry stakeholders—has already seen overwhelming interest, including waitlists for the initial courses completed successfully in Spring 2025.

“Every railroader I know lives safety as a core value, and we constantly strive to make the environment safer,” said Gonzales. “With the AFFIRM course, we are equipping first responders nationwide to safely manage risks involving alternative fuels and EVs. The hands-on training delivered by no one else but SERTC will strengthen safety industry-wide.”

The MxV Rail Difference

MxV Rail provides unmatched expertise with a multidisciplinary team of over 250 engineers and rail professionals. From industry-guided research conducted as a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to independent technology testing, the organization upholds industry standards while driving innovation.

“We bring decades of experience to every project, as a trusted independent advisor, and are passionate about helping railroads and suppliers achieve excellence in safety, sustainability, and performance,” added Gonzales. “Every day, we make meaningful progress so that freight rail continues to support our nation’s economic and environmental goals.”

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Reach out with your test questions today. askMxVRail@aar.com

Contact:        Niki Toussaint, Senior AVP Marketing & Education,
niki_toussaint@aar.com, 719-671-8676