Built for
Class I Railroads
Class I railroads are the cornerstone of Advanced Rail Systems. We have built our reputation by working alongside railroaders to solve the safety, reliability & operational challenges that matter in demanding yard environments.
Our YM-16 switch machine has quickly become a standard across Class I operations, with more than 3,500 switch machines installed globally. That trust has been earned through proven performance, responsive support & a willingness to keep improving alongside the people who use our equipment.
Proven technology.
Built on railroad experience.
We Understand the Railroad
Because our people have worked it.
Advanced Rail Systems has been part of the Class I railroad world since its beginning. Our sales team includes multiple former Class I railroaders who understand the environment, the pressure and the responsibility that come with keeping a railroad moving. They know that a solution has to work in the yard — not just look good in a presentation.
Railroaders aren’t looking for another sales pitch. They need people who pick up the phone, understand their yard and follow through. That is how we work.
We respect your experience. We ask questions, learn how your yard operates and work with your team to solve the right problem. When an existing product doesn’t fully meet the need, we’re willing to engineer, adapt and build something that does.
A Partner You Can Trust
Your operation leads the solution.
Class I railroads operate at a scale where safety, uptime and consistency cannot be separated. One unreliable component can affect crews, movements and performance far beyond a single switch.
We work closely with transportation, engineering, signal and maintenance teams to understand the complete application. That includes your operating practices, existing infrastructure, control systems, communication methods and field maintenance requirements.
Our role is not simply to supply equipment. It is to help your team build a dependable system that fits the railroad, performs in service and can be supported for the long-term.
Direct access to knowledgeable people
Practical engineering built around your requirements
Integration with existing yard infrastructure
Field-serviceable equipment
Training, installation & ongoing support
A team that listens & responds
Solutions for Class I Operations
From an individual switch upgrade to a coordinated yard-control system, Advanced Rail Systems builds around your operating practices, existing infrastructure and long-term support requirements. Start with the capability you need today, then expand without abandoning what already works.
Dependable Automatic Switching
Put proven, maintainable equipment at the point of operation.
The YM-16 provides closed-loop electro-hydraulic operation, direct-drive mechanics and positive position verification in a low-profile, field-serviceable design. It can support individual switch upgrades or standardized deployment across larger Class I yards.
For applications requiring a different operating configuration, the HSM-17 provides an additional switch-machine option engineered around the turnout, environment and performance requirements.
Control That Fits the Way Your Crews Work
Give authorized crews the right method of control for the application.
Every yard crew has established systems that do not need to be reinvented. We offer simple push-button control options, DTMF radio controls, all the way up to enterprise-level rail yard control through our Pathfinder software. Already have yard control systems in place? We can provide the missing pieces to connect our switch machines to your technology.
Our goal is to provide a solution that fits what’s already standard and working in your yard — with the goal of making your operations run smoother, safer and more efficiently.
Flexible System Integration
Connect operator commands, field equipment + existing railroad systems.
The ARMMI Programmable Processor connects operator controls to field equipment. It receives commands from systems such as push-button controls, DTMF radio or Pathfinder, applies configured control logic and communicates those commands to connected switch machines.
ARMMI can support a standalone switch or coordinate multiple field assets. It also provides a practical integration point for connecting ARS equipment with many existing yard control systems — allowing targeted upgrades without requiring replacement of the control infrastructure already in place.
Power + Indication
Reliable power & clear field indication for your switch installation.
ARS offers power options designed around the requirements and available infrastructure of each location. Systems can be configured with utility power or independent power solutions, including solar, battery and super capacitor options.
For clear field status, ARS also provides LED switch position indicators, reflective targets and other indication options to give crews visible confirmation of switch position and equipment status.
Built for the
Demands of Class I Operations
Improve yard performance without adding unnecessary complexity.
At Class I scale, small operational problems compound quickly. Switch reliability, equipment visibility, control access and maintainability all affect how consistently crews can move through the yard.
ARS systems are designed around the things that matter in daily railroad operations:
Improve safety — Reduce unnecessary manual interaction with switches and provide positive indication of field status.
Increase reliability — Use field-proven equipment designed for demanding rail environments and repeatable operation.
Reduce delays — Give authorized crews practical control options and better visibility into equipment status.
Simplify maintenance — Field-serviceable equipment, diagnostics and accessible system information help crews identify and address problems.
Protect existing investment — Integrate with existing infrastructure and control systems rather than forcing unnecessary replacement.
Scale by location — Automate one problem area, a group of switches or a larger yard as operational needs justify it.
Start with your yard.
Tell us where delays, manual processes or control limitations are affecting your operation. We’ll work with your team to identify the right approach.