Portable Derails

The Nolan Company manufactures portable derails suited to blue signal (blue flag) protection, the procedure where crews place a derail on the track to keep equipment from moving while people work on, under, or near it. As a USA-based derail manufacturer operating since 1909 and building to AREMA, OSHA, and FRA standards, we produce portable derails designed for the fast, dependable field deployment this work demands. In everyday practice, the derail is set a safe distance ahead of the protected equipment and paired with a blue signal so no unauthorized or runaway movement can reach the crew.

Features that support blue flag protection work:

• Quick to deploy: At about 42 lbs., our derails are lightweight and installable with no special tools, so crews can set protection fast.
• Securable on the rail: Each derail can be padlocked to the rail head to prevent unauthorized removal while protection is in place.
• Highly visible: A fitted staff (PDF for the PD-2, PDF-LP for the PD-4 and PD-6) keeps the derail conspicuous, which matters in low-light conditions per FRA guidance.
• Stops what’s coming: The PD-4 and PD-6 derail all rolling stock, including six-axle mainline locomotives, when installed and used properly.

To set up portable derails for crew protection at your facility, contact the Nolan Company at 800-297-1383.

Derail protection is generally required on active industrial sidings and spur tracks, and the Nolan Company supplies portable derails built to meet that need. Under OSHA rules, a derail or bumper block must be provided on spur tracks where a rolling car could reach other cars being worked, enter a building, or roll into a work or traffic area, and the railroad serving your siding will typically specify its own derail requirements as a condition of service. Confirming those requirements early is the key step, because the serving railroad usually dictates the specifications.

Here’s how the Nolan Company helps you meet siding requirements:

• Compliance-ready: Our portable derails are engineered to align with AREMA, OSHA, and FRA standards for track safety.
• Sized to your rail: Models cover rail from 20 to 141 lbs., so we can match the derail to the rail on your siding.
• Securable and visible: Each derail padlocks to the rail head and accepts a fitted visibility staff.
• Backed by a full safety line: Beyond portable derails, we also make car stops, wheel chocks, bumping posts, and car blocks for complete siding protection.
• Common siding scenarios: Protection is especially important where hazardous materials are handled or where your facility does its own switching.

Tell us your rail weight and what the serving railroad requires, and we’ll match the right equipment. You can reach us at 800-297-1383 or contact us online.

The right Nolan Company portable derail depends on your rail weight and the direction of movement you need to stop, and we build three models with left- and right-hand throw options to cover the common ranges. Getting both the rail size and the throw direction right is what makes the derail seat correctly and divert a wheel the way you intend, so these are the first two details to nail down.

How the lineup maps to your track:

• PD-2: Fits 2-5/8″ to 4-1/4″ rail (20-60 lbs.), designed specifically for mines and quarries
• PD-4: Fits 4-5/8″ to 6-1/2″ rail (70-110 lbs.), a low-profile derail for lighter mainline and yard track
• PD-6: Fits 5″ to 7-7/16″ rail (80-141 lbs.), for the heaviest rail in the range
• Throw direction: PD-4 and PD-6 come in left or right-hand throw to match which way you need a wheel diverted

As a USA manufacturer of a full derail range since 1909, Nolan can also point you to a hinged, sliding, or automated derail if permanent protection suits the location better. Accessories include a fitted visibility staff and the DB-1 storage box. Share your rail weight and throw direction and we’ll confirm the exact model.

The Nolan Company’s PD-4 and PD-6 portable derails are fabricated from high-strength steel and will derail all rolling stock, including six-axle mainline locomotives, when installed and used properly. The derail works by lifting the wheel flange off the rail to halt unauthorized or runaway movement before it reaches workers or equipment, which is why crews rely on it for serious protection rather than light-duty use alone.

Specifics that matter for real track conditions:

• Rated for heavy equipment: The PD-4 and PD-6 handle all rolling stock up to and including six-axle mainline locomotives when used properly.
• Broad rail coverage: The PD-4 fits 70-110 lb. rail and the PD-6 fits 80-141 lb. rail, spanning most mainline and yard track.
• Low profile: Both sit only 2-3/4″ above the top of the rail head and weigh about 42 lbs.
• Built by a specialist: Nolan has manufactured railroad derails in the USA since 1909 and builds them to AREMA, OSHA, and FRA standards.

Because correct installation is what makes the stop reliable, it’s worth confirming your rail weight before ordering. 

You can order the Nolan Company’s maintenance-of-way derail equipment directly from us with a custom quote or through our network of authorized distributors for localized inventory and support. We’re a family-owned, USA-based MOW equipment manufacturer producing track safety products in Bowerston, Ohio since 1909, known for fast lead times and hands-on technical help when crews need equipment quickly. Because we build to your rail size and operational requirements, sharing a few details up front lets us configure the right maintenance-of-way derail the first time.

A few details help us quote accurately and get the right equipment moving:

• Model or application: Name the PD-2, PD-4, or PD-6 portable derail, or describe your track and we’ll recommend a fit from our derail range.
• Rail size: Rail weight, from 20 to 141 lbs. across the lineup, confirms the correct model.
• Throw direction: We offer left or right-hand to match your layout.
• Quantity: This helps us calculate accurate pricing and freight.
• Serving railroad requirements: If the railroad serving your siding has specified a derail type, let us know so we can match it.

Ordering the right maintenance-of-way derail the first time keeps your siding protected and compliant without delay. To request a quote, call the Nolan Company at 800-297-1383 or contact us online.