Herzog Contracting Corp

Herzog Contracting Corp is a major American provider of railroad construction, maintenance, and specialized transportation services. Founded in Missouri in 1969, the company has grown into a diversified contractor with a significant presence across the United States and Canada. Its operations span heavy civil construction, transit and commuter rail projects, and the management of a large fleet of railcars.

History

The company was established in 1969 by William H. Herzog in St. Joseph, Missouri, initially focusing on earthwork and subgrade preparation for railroad lines. Under the leadership of his son, Stanley M. Herzog, the firm expanded its capabilities throughout the 1970s and 1980s, securing contracts with major Class I railroads like Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway. A pivotal development was the 1985 creation of its railcar leasing and services division, which grew to manage thousands of cars for transporting coal, aggregate, and industrial minerals. The company further diversified by entering the public transit construction market, working on projects for agencies such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

Operations and services

Herzog's core operations are organized into several key service lines. Its railroad services division performs new track construction, maintenance of way, and signal installation for freight railroads and passenger rail networks. The transit division specializes in designing and building light rail, commuter rail, and streetcar systems, often as a subcontractor on large public-private partnership projects. Through its Herzog Railroad Services, Inc. subsidiary, the company provides contract switching, railcar repair, and logistics management for industrial customers. Additionally, its materials transportation group operates a large private fleet of hopper cars and gondola cars for bulk commodity shipping.

Major projects

The company has been involved in numerous high-profile infrastructure projects across North America. Significant rail transit projects include the Dallas Green Line expansion, the Sun Link streetcar system in Tucson, Arizona, and segments of the Los Angeles Metro Rail network. In heavy rail, Herzog has completed substantial track rehabilitation and bridge work for Canadian National Railway and CSX Transportation. Other notable endeavors include construction for the Alaska Railroad and providing engineering and trackwork for the TEXRail commuter line connecting Fort Worth, Texas to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Fleet and equipment

Herzog maintains one of the largest privately owned railcar fleets in the United States, comprising over 4,000 specialized cars primarily used for transporting aggregate and ballast. The fleet includes rotary dump cars, ballast cars, and bathtub gondolas. For construction and maintenance operations, the company utilizes a wide array of on-track machinery, such as tampers, regulators, and dynamic track stabilizers. It also operates a significant number of locomotives, including EMD GP40 and EMD SD40 models, for contract switching and work train duties across its network of service facilities.

Corporate structure and leadership

Herzog Contracting Corp operates as the flagship entity within the broader Herzog Enterprises, Inc. family of companies. Key subsidiaries include Herzog Railroad Services, Inc., which handles railcar leasing and management, and Herzog Technologies, Inc., focused on signal and communications systems. The company remains privately held and family-operated, with founder William H. Herzog serving as Chairman Emeritus. Stanley M. Herzog holds the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, providing continuity in leadership since the firm's major expansion phase. Corporate headquarters are located in its original home of St. Joseph, Missouri, with regional offices across the United States and in Canada.

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States Category:Rail transport companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Missouri Category:Privately held companies of the United States