Train derailments involve far more than getting railcars back on the tracks. Train derailment cleanup, material recovery, transloading, salvage, and disposal are often the longest and most complex phases of the response.
This list highlights seven U.S. companies to consider for post-derailment cleanup and recovery services. Each company offers different capabilities, and the right choice often depends on the type of material involved, site conditions, and the urgency of the response.
Companies included in this list were selected based on experience with:
Cleanup and debris removal after derailments
Bulk material handling and recovery
Transloading and load transfer operations
Salvage and disposal services
Emergency response readiness
Proven involvement in derailment recovery efforts
This article is intended to highlight established providers to consider, not to rank companies by overall performance.
Train Derailment Cleanup & Salvage Company Comparison Chart
Legend ✔️ = Core service offering ◐ = Limited or situational capability ❌ = Not a primary service
West Side Salvage
West Side Salvage specializes in post-derailment cleanup, material recovery, transloading, salvage, and disposal. We coordinate directly with railroads, local authorities, and landowners to assess derailment sites and execute plans that recover salvageable material, remove debris, minimize product loss, dispose of unsalvageable material, and restore the site to its original condition. Our crews are trained and equipped to respond quickly to derailments involving agricultural commodities, bulk freight, and mixed cargo. We do not handle hazardous material response or rerailing operations.
Common Materials Handled:
Grain and feed products
Dry bulk commodities
Non-hazardous industrial materials
Hulcher Services
Hulcher Services is a long-established railroad service contractor with 24/7 emergency response capabilities. They provide a full suite of derailment response services that include clearing derailments, rerailing, removing damaged cars and track, load-out and tie-down of equipment, and cleanup/stockpiling of spilled materials and commodities. Their 24/7 call center and strategically located divisions allow rapid mobilization nationwide. Hulcher also offers post-spill cleanup and load transfer services as part of larger derailment recovery projects.
Common Materials Handled
Mixed freight
Bulk commodities
Industrial materials
R.J. Corman Railroad Services
R.J. Corman Railroad Services provides railroad construction, maintenance-of-way, and emergency response services through strategically located divisions across the U.S. Their emergency services include 24/7 dispatch to assist with derailment response, re-railing locomotives and rail cars, and post-derailment cleanup. They work with a wide range of rail infrastructure needs, combining cleanup with broader rail construction and track services.
Common Materials Handled
General freight
Bulk materials
Packaged goods
Mauer Company
Mauer Company markets itself as a specialist in detailed railroad derailment cleanup for Class I and short line railroads throughout the continental U.S. Their approach emphasizes thorough removal of derailment debris such as ballast, ties, metal spikes, and brush, and restoring the site to its original condition. They use turf-friendly equipment to reduce soil disturbance when working near agricultural lands and prioritize clear communication with landowners.
Common Materials Handled
Dry bulk materials
Debris and damaged freight
Non-hazardous commodities
Choctaw Construction Services
Choctaw Construction Services, LLC (CCS) offers emergency response services that include derailment assistance alongside storm and natural disaster response. Their derailment work involves coordinating response plans, removing debris, transporting damaged cars and freight, and assisting with cleanup and track restoration. CCS has a fleet of specialized rail and heavy equipment and coordinates emergency response planning, dispatch, and execution.
Common Materials Handled
Debris
Damaged freight
Construction-related materials
GrayMar Environmental
GrayMar Environmental provides railroad derailment services and non-accidental releases through its experienced team of tank car specialists. They handle derailment project management, tank car transfers, leak mitigation, railyard remediation, and waste transportation and disposal. GrayMar’s services extend into broader emergency response and waste handling, supported by trained teams capable of handling cleanup and transfer operations associated with derailments.
Common Materials Handled
Impacted freight
Waste materials
Specialty cleanup materials
HazChem Environmental
HazChem Environmental offers comprehensive emergency spill and derailment response services, with a focus on hazardous and non-hazardous spill containment, cleanup, and disposal. Their HAZWOPER-certified crews are available 24/7 for incidents ranging from minor spills to complex emergencies involving chemicals, fuel, and other contaminants. HazChem also provides environmental site remediation and coordinated cleanup for derailment incidents that involve hazardous materials.
