Iron Horse Engineering

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.

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

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

• Rail track products
• Embedded track solutions
• Rail fastening systems
• Elastomeric rail components
• Direct fixation track

Headquarters

HQ city

Parkman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Montville Plastics and RubbercoreTechnology or IntegrationOwned 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/ironhorseeng
• Facebookfacebook.com/ironhorseengineering
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iron-horse-engineering-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/wix

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iron Horse Engineering