Iron Horse Engineering
Iron Horse Engineering Co. is a US manufacturer of proprietary rail track products—including the original Rail Boot—serving LRT agencies, freight railroads, and rail construction contractors. Founded 1987 in Ohio; acquired by Polycorp in January 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersParkman, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Iron Horse Engineering does
Iron Horse Engineering Co. is a US-based specialty manufacturer of rail track infrastructure products, founded in 1987 by Bill Moorhead in Parkman, Ohio. The company designs and produces proprietary embedded and direct fixation rail track solutions, anchored by the original "Rail Boot" elastomeric encasement product invented by its founder, and extended through Rail Seal, Gauge Support Fixtures, ISO-Flex Elastomeric Rail Grout, Rail Pads, Tie Pads, Non-Conductive Embedded Composite Ties, and elastomeric shims. The company reports over one million miles of Rail Boot installed across its customer base and operates in-house US manufacturing capacity rated at approximately two million pads per year, vertically integrated through a 1993 partnership with Montville Plastics for elastomeric production.
The company serves three primary customer segments: light rail transit (LRT) and streetcar agencies, Class 1 and short line freight railroads, and rail construction contractors. Its products are specified into transit and freight track systems, with the company claiming involvement with most LRT and streetcar systems in the United States. Revenue mechanics are project-based: the business runs a quote-driven, direct sales motion for hardware sales and custom engineering services, with pricing tied to specification, volume, and project scope rather than standardized SKUs. The model is exposed to public infrastructure capital cycles and large embedded-track project timing, which introduces revenue lumpiness even when customer count is broad.
In January 2026, Iron Horse Engineering was acquired by Polycorp, a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners, positioning the company within a broader rail and infrastructure platform with potential for cross-selling, capital reinvestment, and geographic expansion. The company holds registered trademarks including Railboot, IHECO Railboot, and PIP-Fast, maintains a proprietary top-down construction methodology, and holds industry affiliations with AREMA, APTA, REMSA, NRC, and ASLRRA. Leadership includes founder Bill Moorhead, partner Jay Roberts (joined 2014), and freight-segment lead Steve Geissinger (joined 2018), with 200+ years of combined engineering experience across the team.
Iron Horse Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Iron Horse Engineering
- Legal name
- Iron Horse Engineering Company
- Website
- https://ironhorseeng.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Iron Horse Engineering Co. is a US manufacturer of proprietary rail track products—including the original Rail Boot—serving LRT agencies, freight railroads, and rail construction contractors. Founded 1987 in Ohio; acquired by Polycorp in January 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Iron Horse Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rail Infrastructure Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing (336510)
- SIC
- Railroad Equipment (3743)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Track Infrastructure Management & Maintenance (Rails, Sleepers, Ballast, Turnouts) (TLAJADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Rail Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Equipment & Services (Tamping, Grinding, Renewal) (TLAJADAH)
Keywords
Where Iron Horse Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Parkman
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Iron Horse Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Rail Track Products: Sale of proprietary rail boot, rail seal, gauge support fixtures, leveling beams, shims, tie pads, rail pads, and track accessories for embedded and direct fixation track applications.
- Custom Engineering Services: Custom project engineering and manufacturing for noise/vibration reduction, corrosion resistance, abrasion, and impact resistance solutions. Includes concept, pilot and volume manufacturing services.
- Elastomeric Materials: Production and sale of elastomeric products including ISO-Flex rail grout, rail pads, tie pads, and under-tie pads. Capacity for 2 million pads per year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Quote-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Iron Horse Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Iron Horse Engineering manufactures and sells proprietary rail infrastructure products for embedded and direct fixation track systems, including the original Rail Boot, Rail Seal, Gauge Support Fixtures, ISO-Flex elastomeric rail grout, rail pads, tie pads, shims, and leveling beams. The company also offers custom engineering services for noise/vibration reduction, electrical isolation, and track modulus solutions targeting transit agencies, freight railroads, and rail construction contractors.
Product overview
Iron Horse Engineering Co. specializes in Embedded and Direct Fixation Track Solutions for the rail industry since 1987, offering a comprehensive portfolio of rail infrastructure products. The company's core offerings include Rail Boot (invented by Iron Horse in 1987, providing electrical isolation for embedded track with over 1 million miles installed), Rail Seal (elastomeric crossing seal), and Gauge Support Fixtures (enabling top-down construction). Supporting products include ISO-Flex Elastomeric Rail Grout for vibration dampening and electrical isolation; Rail Pads, Tie Pads, Under Tie Pads, and Load Bearing Pads for rail seat abrasion reduction and weight distribution; various Shims (DF Shims, Slobber Plates, Cant Shims, Electrical Isolation Shims, Insulated Leveling Shims); and Track Accessories (Grout Pump, Joining Cuff, Cuff Tape, Butyl Sealant, Flangeway Clips, Isolation Bushings, Isolation Membrane, E-Clip Cover, Plate Clamp Assemblies, and embedded anchors). Direct Fixation Products include plates, pads, templates, and clamping systems. Embedded Track Materials encompass Leveling Ties, PIP Plates, Gauge Retention Bars, and Restraining Rail Filler Strips. Freight Solutions include Composite Crossties (60+ year lifespan, made from recycled materials), Fasteners, Flangeway Filler Systems, and Rail Pads. Electrical Isolation Products feature Isolation Membranes with protection boards and Embedded Plastic Ties. The company also provides Custom Engineering services with 200+ years combined railroad and engineering experience. All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IHECO: IHECO Railboot has been installed in almost every LRT & Streetcar in the country with over 1 million miles and growing. IHECO is the company's product brand for rail boot and related track solutions.
Products and services
- Rail Boot The original rail boot invented by Iron Horse in 1987, providing an electrical isolation barrier between steel rail and surrounding roadway for embedded track. Absorbs rail vibration and minimizes pavement cracking, with over 1 million miles installed.
- Rail Seal Recyclable elastomeric seal with dual durometer surface for better wear resistance, used in grade crossings for freight and embedded track. Protects rail from contact with poured concrete or asphalt.
- Gauge Support Fixtures Fixtures enabling top-down rail construction, significantly reducing installation times by supporting rail from above for easier gauge and alignment adjustments prior to pouring concrete. Fixtures are reusable across projects.
- Leveling Beams Steel and composite leveling beams and ties providing rail support for accurate line, gauge, and elevation prior to placing concrete embedment. Self-supporting system that saves time and money without auxiliary equipment.
- ISO-Flex Elastomeric Rail Grout American-made elastomeric polyurethane rail grout providing vibration dampening and electrical isolation while securing rail. Adheres to both concrete and steel, absorbs movement and vibration without cracking.
- Rail Pads Pads placed between rail and tie plate to reduce rail seat abrasion and absorb shock and vibration, improving rail-wheel interface. Available in UHMW, EVA, HDPE, Urethane, TPV, or rubber.
- Tie Pads Fiber-reinforced elastomeric pads placed between tie plate and tie to prevent cutting and abrasion, increasing tie lifespan and preventing loss of gauge.
- Shims Standard and custom leveling shims in metal or plastic designed to set proper rail elevation. Includes DF Shims, Slobber Plates, Cant Shims, Electrical Isolation Shims, and Insulated Leveling Shims.
- Track Accessories Track materials including Grout Pump (trailer mounted), Joining Cuff, Insulated Joint Cuff, Cuff Tape, Butyl Sealant, Flangeway Clips, Rail Head Tape, Isolation Bushings, Isolation Membrane, E-Clip Cover, Electric Box, Temporary Clips, Guard/Running Rail Plates, Boot Reel Jig, Hot Air Welding Gun, and Holiday Tester.
- Direct Fixation Products Direct fixation track components including Direct Fixation Plates (steel rail plate for anchorage), Direct Fixation Pads (isolation/dampening), Templates, Plate Clamp Assemblies, DF Shims, Slobber Plates, and Embedded Anchors & Epoxy systems.
- Embedded Track Materials Products for embedded track construction including Leveling Ties, PIP Plates (poured-in-place), Gauge Retention Bars, and Restraining Rail Filler Strips.
- Custom Engineering Services Custom project engineering and manufacturing services for noise/vibration reduction, corrosion resistance, abrasion, and impact resistance solutions, with 200+ years combined railroad and engineering experience. Includes concept, pilot, and volume manufacturing services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million miles of rail boot installed with no failures and very low maintenance
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Iron Horse Engineering
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Iron Horse Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Iron Horse Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Montville Plastics and RubbercoreOwned by Don Hofstetter who purchased Iron Horse Engineering. Montville Plastics serves as the manufacturer of Iron Horse's products, enabling in-house production capabilities. Design-to-concept time was reduced through this vertical integration.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Iron Horse Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- L.B. Foster Company: L.B. Foster supplies rail products including direct fixation fasteners, rail anchors, and concrete ties to transit agencies and freight railroads in North America. It overlaps with Iron Horse in fastening and tie products for embedded track installations.
- Koppers Holdings: Koppers is a leading supplier of railroad crossties and related track products, including composite ties and tie pads. It overlaps with Iron Horse's freight solutions segment, particularly composite crossties and fasteners used by Class 1 and short line railroads.
- Pandrol: Pandrol, part of Delachaux Group, is the global leader in rail fastening systems and embedded track components. It directly competes with Iron Horse in elastomeric rail pads, baseplates, and fastening assemblies for transit and freight applications.
- Stella-Jones Inc. Stella-Jones is a major North American manufacturer of railway ties and treated wood products, also producing steel rail components. It competes with Iron Horse's freight solutions product line, particularly in composite crossties and tie-related track materials.
- voestalpine Railway Systems: voestalpine Railway Systems produces rail fastening systems, sleepers, and turnout components globally. It serves embedded and slab track segments comparable to Iron Horse's direct fixation and rail boot product lines for LRT and metro projects.
- Vossloh AG: Vossloh is a major global supplier of rail infrastructure fastening systems, including embedded and slab track solutions. It competes head-to-head with Iron Horse on direct fixation fasteners, rail pads, and concrete-rail interface products for LRT and heavy rail.
Emerging players
- Unipart Rail: Unipart Rail supplies track components, fastenings, and infrastructure products to the UK and international rail markets. It overlaps with Iron Horse's elastomeric rail products and direct fixation components for transit applications.
- Tiflex Ltd: Tiflex produces elastomeric rail products including rail boots, pads, and crossing seals for embedded and light rail applications. It is a direct competitor to Iron Horse's IHECO Railboot in markets with international LRT and streetcar deployments.
- Gantrail (Arthur Flury): Gantrail specializes in embedded rail systems and crane rail fixation products, with comparable elastomeric and direct fixation technologies to Iron Horse's rail boot and leveling beam offerings, primarily serving UK and European markets.
Broad incumbents
- Progress Rail Services (Caterpillar): Progress Rail, a Caterpillar subsidiary, is a broad rail products and services provider offering trackwork, rail, fasteners, and infrastructure solutions. It addresses overlapping needs in transit and freight rail but as part of a much wider portfolio than Iron Horse's specialty focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Iron Horse Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceIron Horse Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Iron Horse Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Iron Horse Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Iron Horse Engineering M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Iron Horse Engineering
What does Iron Horse Engineering do?
Iron Horse Engineering manufactures and sells proprietary rail infrastructure products for embedded and direct fixation track systems, including the original Rail Boot, Rail Seal, Gauge Support Fixtures, ISO-Flex elastomeric rail grout, rail pads, tie pads, shims, and leveling beams. The company also offers custom engineering services for noise/vibration reduction, electrical isolation, and track modulus solutions targeting transit agencies, freight railroads, and rail construction contractors.
Is Iron Horse Engineering a public or private company?
Iron Horse Engineering is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently acquired.
When was Iron Horse Engineering founded?
Iron Horse Engineering was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Iron Horse Engineering based?
Iron Horse Engineering is headquartered in Parkman, United States, in the North America region.
How does Iron Horse Engineering make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Rail Track Products are the primary driver. The others are custom Engineering Services and elastomeric Materials.
Who are Iron Horse Engineering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are L.B. Foster Company, Koppers Holdings, Pandrol, Stella-Jones Inc., voestalpine Railway Systems and Vossloh AG. Emerging players are Unipart Rail, Tiflex Ltd and Gantrail (Arthur Flury). Progress Rail Services (Caterpillar) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Iron Horse Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Iron Horse Engineering.
What industry is Iron Horse Engineering in?
Iron Horse Engineering's product category is Rail Infrastructure Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAJADAA, Track Infrastructure Management & Maintenance (Rails, Sleepers, Ballast, Turnouts), with a secondary code of TLAJADAH, Rail Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Equipment & Services (Tamping, Grinding, Renewal). Its NAICS code is 336510 and its SIC code is 3743.