Ep. 7 - Inside the Scale Industry: Rail Weights, Safety, and Why Accuracy Matters with Karl Gansen

Ep. 7 - Inside the Scale Industry: Rail Weights, Safety, and Why Accuracy Matters with Karl Gansen

This week on The Switch Point, Joe sits down with Karl Gansen, Rail Operations Manager at Weighing Technologies, for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most overlooked, but absolutely critical, parts of the rail industry: scales and weight certification. From railcar loading safety and hazardous commodity compliance to massive 80,000-pound rail scale calibrations, Karl breaks down how accurate weights keep railroads, trucking operations, and entire supply chains moving safely and efficiently. Inside this episode: *  How rail scales actually work and why they matter  *  The dangers of overloaded railcars and trucks  *  Why inaccurate weights can create major safety risks  *  The hidden world of certified weights and scale calibration  *  How commodities like grain, chemicals, plastics, and coal are measured  *  The surprising connection between rail safety and scales  *  What it takes to certify 80,000-pound rail scales across the country  *  Wild stories from the field involving scrap yards, alligators, snakes, and scale pits  Karl also shares his journey from commercial roofing into the highly specialized scale industry, along with insights into the future of rail infrastructure, industrial operations, and the importance of skilled trades that quietly keep the economy running every single day. If you’ve ever wondered how railcars are weighed, how facilities stay compliant, or why a few thousand pounds can make a huge difference in rail safety, this episode is packed with insight you probably never knew existed. Because in railroading, accuracy matters, and every pound counts.

Ep. 6 - OFF THE RAILS: Inside Axiom’s Culture, Chaos, and Rapid Growth with Tina and Jess

This week on The Switch Point, Joe sits down with Axiom team members Tina and Jess for another “Off the Rails” episode—an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the people helping build the company from the ground up. From chaotic office stories and Nerf gun wars to company growth, leadership philosophy, and scaling a business without losing culture, this episode dives deep into what makes Axiom Rail Services different from the typical workplace. The team talks about: *  Growing from a tiny office into a rapidly expanding operation  *  Building in-house railroad inspector training programs  *  Why company culture matters more than résumés  *  The balancing act between budgets, growth, and big ideas  *  What it’s really like working inside a fast-moving rail company  *  Conferences, branding, recruiting, and the future of Axiom  *  Team bonding, Topgolf plans, office dynamics, and workplace humor  Plus, things go completely off the rails with zombie apocalypse debates, office superlatives, expense-report arguments, and brutally honest takes on what makes people actually stay at a company long term. It’s funny, candid, chaotic, and probably the most honest look yet at the personalities behind the brand. Because at the end of the day, the culture behind the company matters just as much as the work itself.

Ep. 5 - Rail Security, Train Robberies, and the Hidden Risks Nobody Talks About

This week on The Switch Point, Joe dives into one of the most overlooked conversations in modern railroading: security. From train robberies and cargo theft to hazmat risks, border security, and protecting railroad crews in the field, this episode breaks down the real-world threats facing the rail industry—and why most companies are dangerously underprepared. Joe shares firsthand experiences from rail operations across the country, including incidents involving train theft, crew assaults, trespassing, and security failures that directly impact communities, customers, and the economy itself. Inside this episode: *  Why intermodal freight has become a major theft target  *  How criminals study train schedules and exploit predictable operations  *  The hidden dangers railroad crews face while working in isolated areas  *  Why rail security impacts pricing, shipping times, and the national economy  *  How hazmat transportation ties directly into national security concerns  *  The role law enforcement should play in rail operations and emergency response  *  Why most rail security programs are reactive instead of proactive  *  How transload facilities are becoming one of the industry’s biggest security vulnerabilities  Joe also explores how military veterans and law enforcement professionals can bring valuable insight into improving rail safety and security planning—and why the industry needs to start thinking differently before problems become disasters. This episode is a deep dive into the side of railroading most people never see—but one that affects everyone. Because security isn’t just about protecting freight. It’s about protecting people, communities, and the future of the industry itself.

Ep. 4 - OFF THE RAILS: Horror Stories, Bad Habits, and the Reality of Field Training with Mike Thomason

This week on The Switch Point, Joe sits down with longtime friend and newly appointed Director of Operations, Mike Thomason, for one of the most unfiltered episodes yet. From near misses and derailments to stubborn old-head railroaders and absolute chaos in the field, the two swap stories from years spent working in rail operations, training crews, and dealing with the reality of transload safety culture. This episode dives into: *  The dangerous habits railroaders develop over time  *  Why bad training creates bigger problems down the road  *  Near-miss stories that still stick with them today  *  The chaos of radio communication during switching operations  *  Why transload rail operations are becoming the “new face” of railroading  *  The disconnect between ownership, management, and safety in the field  *  What separates experienced railroaders from people just “playing railroad”  But it’s not all serious—Joe and Mike also get into office Nerf wars, Texas vs. Midwest culture, road trip playlists, conference season chaos, and what it’s like bringing military-style camaraderie into the rail industry. This one is raw, hilarious, brutally honest, and packed with the kind of stories only railroaders can tell. Welcome back to The Switch Point.

Ep. 3 - Why Track Inspections Matter: Safety, Compliance, and Keeping Rail Moving

This week on The Switch Point, Joe is joined by producer Tom for an in-depth conversation on one of the most overlooked—but most critical—parts of the rail industry: track inspections. From safety risks and regulatory compliance to preventing derailments and protecting operations, this episode breaks down why proper track inspections are essential for any facility handling rail traffic. Joe shares real-world insight into what inspectors look for, the common defects that get missed, and how neglected infrastructure can create massive operational and financial consequences. Inside this episode: *  Why track inspections are crucial for safety and uptime  *  The most common issues found during inspections  *  How weather, seasons, and vegetation impact rail infrastructure  *  Why qualified inspectors matter more than “just checking the track”  *  How proactive maintenance saves companies from six-figure problems later  *  What separates Axiom Rail Services from competitors in the industry  Whether you work in rail, logistics, manufacturing, or simply want to understand how freight keeps moving across America, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the infrastructure most people never think about. Because when the track fails, everything stops.