A Suite of New Tests Available Will Advance Rail Industry Safety

May 21, 2025, Pueblo, CO – MxV Rail, the world’s premier advisor in rail testing and technology development, is expanding its laboratory capabilities for rail component testing. With a suite of new machines and test capabilities available and more laboratory test services rolling out soon, MxV Rail continues leveraging all the latest methods to provide insight into our clients’ most challenging questions and promote safety advancements in the rail industry.

This year, MxV Rail launched several new capabilities, including a bearing rig tester with a servo-hydraulic computer-controlled load frame and a unique water spray feature. Additionally, a custom-designed tie wear tester was launched, and its first commercial test was recently completed.

Another capability serving the rail industry’s testing needs is the environmental chamber, recently donated to MxV Rail by an AAR member railroad. This unique lab installation allows components to be tested in controlled environment conditions ranging from -85 to +185 degrees Fahrenheit, mimicking the deserts of Arizona and the wintery north of Canada.

“Our mission has always been to support our rail industry partners in testing new technologies, solving complex problems, and bringing solutions into service so that we advance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail together,” said Jason Reiling,
MxV Rail Senior Assistant Vice President of Business Development. “With the new equipment in place, our incredibly talented lab teams are providing the industry with the insights and data needed to lead the industry into the future. We’re proud to bring these new capabilities to life in our modern 70,000-square-foot testing and research facility.”

All the equipment has been selected, designed, and installed in response to research needs articulated by MxV Rail’s Class I sponsors and other collaborators across the rail community. Looking ahead, more tools and test capabilities will be available in 2025 at MxV Rail’s laboratory space in Pueblo, CO. Stay tuned for announcements and follow our progress on the knuckle fatigue tester, the custom-designed 660,000-pound load frame, and the truck warp stiffness testing fixture.

With each addition, MxV Rail grows in its ability to perform rigorous testing and expand the industry’s R&D playbook. MxV Rail’s team is always looking to the future, and now, growing capacity in the lab and in the field will ensure the industry can move technology from concept to performance testing to implementation at a rapid pace.

Schedule a Demo Today:

•  Bearing Rig Tester – custom test equipment designed by MxV Rail, the vertical compression loads from 2 to 100 kip and lateral compression loads up to 50 kip, with the capability to spray water at three angles and locations.
• Tie Wear Tester – custom test equipment designed by MxV Rail, the load frame and FlexTest 60 controller enable fatigue and wear abrasion testing with capabilities to test 50 kips vertically and 35 kips laterally.
•  Truck Warp Stiffness Testing – leveraging our high-capacity test fixture assessing load or displacement, 110 kips compression, and a 10-inch stroke, ideal for testing ties, track panels, or trucks. [Coming soon!]
• Knuckle Fatigue Tester – simulating real-world rail stress to ensure coupler knuckles meet AAR M-216 standards for durability, performance, and safety under heavy loads. [Coming soon!]
• Side Frame and Bolster Tester – MxV Rail designed a custom piece of testing equipment to support loads up to 660 kips and test in accordance with AAR M-202, M-203; additional use in component testing such as for rail bends or AREMA standards. [Coming soon!]
• Environmental chamber – supporting air brake and component testing from
  -85 to +185 degrees Fahrenheit for rapid, reliable evaluation of rail equipment in extreme temperature conditions.

Have a complex testing challenge or need data to validate your design? Connect with our lab experts at askMxVRail@aar.com to discuss your requirements or schedule a demo of our new capabilities.

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