Category: Uncategorized

April 9–11, 2025 | Baltimore, MD
Chip and Chase are hitting the rails (figuratively) and heading to Baltimore for the NEARS Spring Meeting, happening April 9–11. They’re looking forward to reconnecting with industry partners, gaining fresh insights, and exploring what’s ahead for the freight rail sector.

The Northeast Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS) Spring Meeting is one of the rail industry’s most engaging and informative events. It brings together professionals from across the supply chain—railroads, shippers, service providers, and more—to network and discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the industry.

Let’s Connect at NEARS
Whether you’ve met Chip and Chase before or you’re meeting them for the first time, they’d love to catch up during the event. From sessions and keynotes to coffee breaks and evening receptions, there are plenty of opportunities to connect.

They’ll be on-site throughout the conference and are looking forward to engaging conversations, meaningful connections, and new opportunities.

Up Next: Tank Car 2025
Can’t make it to NEARS? No worries—Chip and Chase will also be attending and exhibiting at the AAR Tank Car Committee Meeting, April 14–17. If you’re headed there, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello and pick up your very own Raptor® Tank swag!

Don’t forget to follow along on our social media channels. Facebook | Linkedin

At Raptor® Tank Cleaning Systems, safety is at the core of everything we do. That’s why we are proud to have played a role in the Iowa Interstate Railroad’s (IAIS) latest initiative—a hazmat training tank car designed to support first responders and enhance rail safety across the Midwest.

IAIS recently unveiled this specialized training car, IAIS 0911, which will be used to train emergency personnel on handling hazardous materials incidents. This project is a major step forward in rail safety education and emergency preparedness, ensuring that first responders have the tools and knowledge they need to protect our communities.

Our team at Raptor® Tank was honored to provide professional cleaning services for the training car, ensuring it met the highest safety and cleanliness standards. We appreciate IAIS’s commitment to this critical initiative and their trust in Raptor Tank to support their mission.

The new training tank car also features advanced railcar telemetry technology, including GPS tracking and load status monitoring, providing real-time information that enhances safety during emergency response scenarios. Additionally, the car proudly displays the emblem of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a nationally recognized leader in rail safety education.

We extend our gratitude to IAIS and its safety and operations team for their dedication to rail safety and emergency preparedness. At Raptor Tank, we remain committed to supporting industry leaders who prioritize safety, innovation, and community well-being.

To learn more about this exciting project and the impact it will have, check out IAIS’s official announcement here: IAIS Linkedin Post

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Davenport, Iowa (February 8, 2024) – Twin State Environmental, also known as Raptor^® Cleaning Systems and Services has purchased the Tank Cleaner product line, often referred to as the “Bristol Units”, from Tanker Wash Systems of Sandwich, Illinois.

Twin State Environmental specializes in designing, engineering, manufacturing, and installing rail car and highway tank trailer cleaning systems for new facilities as well as upgrades of existing cleaning operations. “Adding the Bristol unit cleaning system to Twin State’s portfolio increases the offerings and benefits to both Tanker Wash and Raptor^® customers” said Scott Tinsman III, Founder of Twin State Environmental. “The sale is a sound strategic move for both Twin State and Jeff Ikemire, president of Tanker Wash Systems.  Jeff has more than 35 years of manufacturing and serving Bristol units.  Twin State will utilize Jeff and his industry knowledge to assist in the transition and support of customers” said Charles (Chip) Lee, President of Twin State Environmental.

Jeff purchased the Tank Cleaner product line from Sentry Equipment in May of 2007. The tank cleaner offering was originally added to the Sentry product portfolio via its 2003 acquisition of Bristol Equipment Company which was based in Yorkville, Illinois.

Raptor^® Cleaning Systems and Services operates a rail car cleaning service as well as manufactures their automated robotic Raptor^® Tank Cleaning systems from their facility in Durant, Iowa.  The Raptor® and Bristol automated robotic cleaning systems, which includes both electric and hydraulic options, use a combination of pressure, temperature and flow rate to extract heel and sludge from Rail Cars and Highway Trailers. Hazardous, Non-Hazardous and Feed- Stock materials including Acid, Asphalt, Crude Oil, Vegetable Oils, Animal Fats, Fertilizer and Minerals are removed from the tank without human entry. These robotic machines are the Safest, most Effective and Efficient cleaning systems available.  The unique recycling and reuse options allow for the recovery of valuable acids, fats, oils or other materials collected during the cleaning process. The advantages of Raptor® and Bristol are numerous including safety, reduction in time and labor, and consistent complete cleanings.

Raptor^® will begin immediately supporting the Bristol units.  All inquiries, parts and service orders can now be direct to [email protected] or by calling 563-359-3624

Contact Info: Charles (Chip) S. Lee, Jr.
Twin State Environmental
563-359-3624 / [email protected]

Cathcart Rail, through its newly formed subsidiary, Utica Tank Cleaning (Utica Tank), has partnered with Raptor® Tank Cleaning Systems (Raptor®) for its planned tank car cleaning operation in Belpre, Ohio. Utica Tank will be switched by Cathcart’s subsidiary carrier, the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad (BIP), which interchanges with the CSXT seven days per week in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Utica Tank is working with Twin State Environmental on the design and construction of the facility and is scheduled to be operational in November of this year.

By selecting the Raptor® Tank Cleaning system, Utica Tank will have the ability to remove liquids, solids, and sludge from tank cars across all types of hazardous, non-hazardous and feedstock materials, including asphalt, crude oil, acids, ethanol, vegetable oils, animal fats, and tallow. To further Cathcart Rail’s dedication to safety, no human entry into the tank will be required due to the significant technological advantages of the Raptor system. The system, which incorporates robotics, guarantees a superior, safe cleaning of rail equipment.

Founder and Chief Technology Officer Scott Tinsman III stated, “the Raptor was developed and engineered based on years of industry experience. It utilizes robotics and automation to ensure the complete removal of heel and build-up from hopper and tank railcars. This safe, economical and unique cleaning technology removes the need for anyone to enter a tank while it contains product.”

With the ability to offer all types of cleaning, Utica Tank is strategically located in the Ohio River Corridor to service numerous car owner and shipper customers. Phase two of the Belpre operation will include M-1002 valve repair certification and flaring of high pressure tanks.

Casey Cathcart, President of Cathcart Rail, stated, “the new Raptor® Tank Cleaning system will allow us to handle any amount of heel in tank cars, even in excess of 10,000 pounds. This new, safe, and very efficient system minimizes cleaning time, maximizes shipment volume, and reduces freight costs; changing tank cleaning economics from a “have to” to a “want to” for many customers. Our plan is to clean and requalify tanks in hours, allowing a railcar to return to service in days, not weeks.”

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Contact Information:

Utica Tank Cleaning
Casey Cathcart
Cathcart Rail
[email protected]
314-605-8988 (cell)
www.tcrailholdings.com

Raptor® Tank Cleaning Systems
Charles (Chip) Lee, Jr.
Twin State Environmental
[email protected]
248-954-4458 (cell)
www.raptortank.com