Hazardous materials move through the rail industry every single day—but what actually happens once those railcars arrive at a transload facility?

In this solo episode of The Switch Point Podcast, Joe breaks down the critical role hazardous materials play in industrial rail operations and why transload facilities carry some of the biggest safety and compliance responsibilities in the supply chain.

From explosives and corrosives to flammable liquids and radioactive materials, Joe explains how hazardous commodities are handled, what regulations apply, and why proper training, inspections, documentation, and safety culture can mean the difference between a successful operation and a catastrophic incident.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why hazardous materials are the backbone of the transload industry
• The difference between moving hazmat by rail versus truck
• The agencies that regulate transload operations, including FRA, PHMSA, EPA, OSHA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and more
• The responsibilities operators assume when offering hazardous materials back onto the general rail system
• Understanding explosive, corrosive, and other hazardous material classifications
• Real-world stories of chemical incidents and the lessons they teach
• Why quality hazmat training goes far beyond checking a compliance box
• The importance of proper railcar inspections, placards, emergency response information, and PPE
• Building effective security plans, spill response procedures, and safety programs
• How proactive compliance protects employees, customers, and your business from costly incidents and enforcement actions

Whether you manage a transload facility, supervise rail operations, oversee compliance, or simply want to better understand how hazardous materials safely move across North America, this episode offers a practical look at the systems, regulations, and responsibilities that keep people—and freight—moving safely.

Safety isn't just about following regulations.

It's about protecting your employees, your customers, your community, and the future of your operation.

The Axiom crew is growing, and this week on The Switch Point, it’s time to introduce some new blood.

In this Off the Rails episode, Harlee takes over the host seat alongside Axiom’s two newest team members: Jake, Inside Sales Representative, and Joe Butler, Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator. The two joined Axiom on the same day but came from completely different professional backgrounds—Jake from freight brokerage and sales, and Joe from education, museums, and public programming.

They break down what brought them to Axiom, their first impressions of the team, and what it’s actually like trying to learn the railroad industry from scratch. From navigating FRA regulations and figuring out bizarre railroad terminology to discovering just how passionate lifelong railroaders are about the industry, Jake and Joe share what they’ve learned during their first few months on the job.

Joe also dives into Axiom’s growing training and enrollment efforts and why introducing railroad careers—especially track inspection—to the next generation of skilled tradespeople could help build the industry's future workforce.

But this is Off the Rails, so things don’t stay serious for long.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How Jake and Joe found their way to Axiom
• Their first impressions of the Axiom office and team
• Who intimidated them when they first started
• The biggest culture shocks of entering the railroad industry
• Learning FRA regulations and confusing railroad terminology
• Why railroaders will immediately know when you don’t know what you’re talking about
• Jake’s experiences making his first sales calls in the industry
• Joe’s mission to introduce more people to railroad career opportunities
• The personalities, inside jokes, and chaos of working at Axiom
• Who the crew thinks is funniest in the office
• Which coworkers they’d want as teammates on a game show
• Plenty of stories, tangents, and questionable conversations along the way

Between railroad history, career advice, awkward sales calls, office stories, and plenty of friendly shots at their coworkers, this episode gives you a chance to meet the newest members of Axiom beyond their job titles.

Because at Axiom, learning the railroad industry is one thing.

Surviving the office is another.

What happens to railroad track after it's removed? Is relay rail really as reliable as new rail? And how does someone go from banking to becoming one of the rail industry's most recognizable personalities?

This week on The Switch Point, Joe sits down with Brandon "Spike Sandbolt" Straub of SRC Industries for an entertaining and insightful conversation about the world of relay rail, railroad materials, and building relationships in one of America's most specialized industries. From the origin story behind his unforgettable nickname to the misconceptions surrounding reclaimed rail, Brandon shares the knowledge he's gained from years in the business and explains why "used" doesn't mean "worn out."

Together, they discuss the grading process for relay rail, why industrial facilities can save money without sacrificing quality, the importance of preserving historic rail infrastructure, and how strong relationships continue to drive success throughout the railroad industry. Along the way, the conversation is filled with humor, personal stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at the people who keep America's rail network supplied.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Brandon "Spike Sandbolt" Straub found his way into the rail industry
• The surprising story behind the "Spike Sandbolt" nickname
• What relay rail is and why it's still a reliable option
• How reclaimed rail is inspected, graded, and reused
• Common misconceptions about used rail materials
• Why relationship-building remains one of the industry's greatest assets
• The value of preserving historic rail while meeting modern operational needs
• Lessons from transitioning from corporate banking into the railroad business

Whether you're responsible for purchasing rail materials, managing industrial track, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind the people shaping today's rail industry, this episode offers practical knowledge, industry insight, and plenty of laughs.

Because sometimes the best way to understand the future of rail is by learning the history that's still supporting it every single day.