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Noteworthy - The Hudson Ballaster

The Hudson Ballaster

The Hudson Ballaster delivers unmatched mobility and efficiency for modern rail construction and maintenance. Designed for rapid deployment, this innovative ballast car can be transported by truck and moved between sites quickly, making it the ideal solution for dynamic operations.

Versatile and precise, the Hudson Ballaster is perfect for railyard construction, patch or washout repairs, and ongoing track maintenance. With remote controlled hydraulic gates, a single operator can achieve accurate ballast placement, minimize waste and eliminate double handling. This level of precision translates into significant time and cost savings for every project.

Trusted by track construction and maintenance teams, transit agencies, and equipment lessors, the Hudson Ballaster combines durability with simplicity. Built from heavy duty components, including thick steel hopper plates and freight car wheels, it is engineered to withstand years of rigorous use. Low maintenance gating and suspension systems minimize upkeep while standard features such as an air brake compressor, flood lights, large fuel tank, and dual air cleaner system ensure reliable performance in any environment.

For mobility, precision, and low-maintenance reliability, the Hudson Ballaster is the smart choice for all maintenance of way teams.

Performance and Safety Control and Operation Design and Construction Power and Systems Customization

Performance

High track speed capability
Reduced vibration to components and reduced wheel-rail noise
Suspension performance and testing documented at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC)

Braking System

Fail-safe air brakes applied from tow-vehicle in unison
Brake connections on both car ends; air coils included
Air compressor connected to brake system to enable brake release

Gate Controls and Hydraulics

Four gates: two outside rails and two between rails
Wireless remote control hydraulic bottom gates and optional side gates
Gates controlled individually or all together with a single button
Smooth variable openings and variable open/close speed
Hydraulic cylinders provide power to crush rocks caught in gates
Adjustable relief settings; 1300 psi system; spin-on return filter & suction strainer

Tow Vehicle Connection

Drawbar 6’ square-tube
90,000 lb capacity pintle hooks on both ends

Construction

Welded steel plate ballast hopper
Lift eyes on each top corner
Hold-downs on each lower corner
Fork pockets for forklift or loader transferability
Inspection ladder
Wood plank surround to prevent loading damage

Paint and Finish

Epoxy primer with urethane topcoat
Carbody, custom colour choice
Fuel Tank, green
Hydraulic Tank, blue
Wheelsets, black

Power and Electrical

Diesel engine with key start and pull-start backup
Special dual air-filter system (engine filter + remote-mounted air cleaner)
12 V electrical system with hour meter and master electrical cut-off switch
8-gallon fuel tank

Running Gear and Suspension

Conventional 6x11x33" AAR freight car wheels
Wheelbase 7’-5”, ideal for tight curves
High performance self-steering design to reduce tread or flange wear and wheel-rail noise

Lighting

LED front and rear running lights; separately switched to indicate travel direction
Two bottom LED flood lights for night operations and side illumination
Running and flood lights controlled by wireless remote control

Available Options

Vandal package: protects engine, electrical panels, hydraulic components, fuel tank, lights
Side Chutes: 3rd rail side gating system and chutes (wireless remote controlled)
Hydraulic valve override switches (remote failure backup)

FAQ Documentation

FAQ - The Hudson Ballaster

What is the Hudson Ballaster?

The Hudson Ballaster is a heavy-duty ballast car designed for modern rail construction and maintenance. It pairs rapid mobility with precise, remote-controlled ballast placement to deliver time and cost savings on a wide range of maintenance-of-way (MOW) tasks.

Who typically uses it?

Track construction and maintenance crews, transit agencies, and equipment lessors who need reliable, versatile ballast delivery with minimal downtime.

What makes it the “smart choice” for MOW teams?

The blend of truck mobility, precise remote-controlled ballast placement, heavy-duty durability, and low-maintenance reliability delivers consistent, repeatable results with strong total cost of ownership.

How quickly can the Hudson Ballaster be deployed?

It’s designed for rapid deployment. The unit can be transported by truck and moved between job sites quickly, making it ideal for dynamic, multi-location operations.

Why is truck transport an advantage?

Truck mobility allows teams to bypass rail availability constraints, reposition the unit rapidly, and start work sooner.

What types of projects is it best suited for?

Railyard construction, patch repairs and washout remediation, and ongoing track maintenance.

How is ballast placement controlled?

Remote-controlled hydraulic gates allow a single operator to place ballast precisely where needed, reducing waste and eliminating double handling.

How much maintenance does it require?

The gating and suspension systems are engineered to be low-maintenance, minimizing planned and unplanned downtime.

Where can I purchase replacement parts?

Ronsco provides a complete inventory of serviceable replacement parts.