Operations

Site Selection

Strobel Energy Logistics is experienced in evaluating potential rail sites to support terminal operations. Recently, a major petroleum retailer asked us to site a rail terminal to supply biodiesel to their DFW/North Texas stations. The Strobel team identified a terminal and stood up operations in 45 days. Due to the strategic location, improved cost, and enhanced service schedule, the customer shifted an additional 20% of their demand to this terminal.

Third Party Operations

Many Strobel Energy Logistics customers prefer to focus on their core business and designate their rail logistics to a contractor. Operating Class I locomotives or smaller car movers required specialized training and insurance. Pre-load inspection and securement of the cars is closely regulated by the DOT. These and other factors involved with rail operations make it generally advantageous to contract the rail operations. Strobel Energy Logistics has successfully provided those services for over 10 years.

Training & Commissioning

For terminals that wish to add rail operations to their existing terminal duties, Strobel Energy Logistics provides training, procedure development, and documentation needed for facilities under jurisdiction of the Federal Railroad Administration. Strobel has trained literally thousands of internal and client employees for D07-hazmat credentials that meet the FRA requirements.

Compliance Audits

Strobel Energy Logistics provides experienced terminal operations staff to audit rail operations to ensure that regulatory and industry standards are being maintained. A recent customer was experiencing damage to manway covers and a failure to secure cars.  Strobel Energy Logistics stepped in with a six-month program to audit their receiving terminals in Mexico. Training and inspections by the Strobel bi-lingual management team has resulted in a significant decrease in securement failures when the cars return to US rail infrastructure. 

Railroad Negotiations

Many rail projects become ensnared in the restrictions and operational constraints of the railroads. Strobel Energy Logistics provides effective solutions to these obstructions. With a rich history of working with railroads, Strobel has brokered the conversion of common rail to private industry rail, service concessions, locomotive use license agreements to operate class I locomotives on industry rail, and has overcome many other challenges on behalf of our customers.