What is CRMS?

CRMS is sales and marketing company that represents a network of rail car cleaning and maintenance facilities, storage options, and transloading facilites throughout the United States. At CRMS, our goal is to make the process of managing your railcar fleet more efficient for shippers. CRMS achieves this goal by providing an extra level of customer service above that previously provided by the facilities themselves.

Why should I use CRMS for Railcar Cleaning & Maintenance?

Increased Efficiency. CRMS provides shippers with a single point of contact that they can use throughout the entire process of cleaning and repairing their cars. This eliminates the need to make multiple phone calls to multiple people at the cleaning facilities. Effectively, CRMS performs all the legwork necessary to get your cars cleaned and repaired in a timely and cost-effective fashion. CRMS achieves this by tracking each car through the process and sending our customers detailed weekly status reports on the progress of their cars. CRMS customer service representatives maintain daily contact with our facilities so that we can manage every detail of the process and relieve our customers of this burden.

Lower Cost. CRMS can lower your cleaning costs in two different ways. The first is by combining cars from multiple shippers to achieve volume discounts. The second is involves using various methods to reduce disposal costs. In either case, CRMS is happy to pass these savings on to our customers.

How do I use CRMS to clean and repair my cars?

Simply contact your CRMS customer service representative or complete the shopping form on this website. CRMS will take it from there. We will determine which of our facilities can complete the work for the lowest cost, at the closest location, and in the least amount of time. We will then advise you of the estimated cost and throughput and make sure the cars are moving in the right direction. We will continue to monitor the cars as they move throughout the entire process.

Is CRMS a cleaning and maintenance "broker"?

An example of a "broker" in the context of the railroad industry is someone who leases a large number of rail cars and then sub-leases the cars at a higher price. In effect, the broker buys something and re-sells it at a higher price. This is not what CRMS does.

CRMS is outsourced sales and customer service firm that represents rail car cleaning and maintenance facilities. We work as sales agents for the facilities and are compensated by the facilities. The work that we do for shippers comes at no additional cost to the shippers. Shippers should think of CRMS as being one and the same as the facilities that we represent.

Why are we getting something for nothing?

You are not getting something for nothing. You are getting the service you deserve. By employing CRMS, the facilities can provide a more value-added service. Our proactive approach represents a new direction in this industry. We believe it will lead to stronger relationships between shippers and facilities.

What are the hidden costs associated with using CRMS?

There are no hidden costs. Sales and marketing are costs associated with running any business. The facilities recognize that they can save money on these costs by employing CRMS to perform their sales and marketing functions. The facilities also recognize that CRMS can perform additional value-added services that are not currently being offered.

My cars are all on full-service leases and I usually have the cleaning done at the lessor's shop. Why should I send my cars to a different shop for cleaning?

The typical full service lease specifies certain cleaning and repair items as being the responsibility of the lessee. Among these are general cleaning and the repair of bottom outlet valves, top unloading valves/arrangements, manway and gaskets. The typical full service lease also allows this customer responsibility work to be performed at any AAR approved facility. Shippers can often save time and money on the cleaning and repairs that are their responsibility by having the work done at a facility other than the one specified by the car owner.