Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Partner for Industry Solutions!
Sims Professional Engineers has been a trusted partner in the railroad transportation industry since 1983, specializing in design, analysis, and regulatory compliance consulting services. Our expertise spans rail car design, structural and dynamic analysis of rail car structures, and general mechanical engineering, serving clients across the United States and globally. With over 40 years of combined experience, our team of certified engineers delivers cost-effective, compliant solutions tailored to meet client-specific needs.We prioritize client satisfaction through timely project completion, adherence to federal and AAR standards, and personalized service that exceeds expectations. Our legacy of excellence, established by founder Roger D. Sims, continues through our commitment to innovation, technical proficiency, and maintaining one-on-one relationships with clients throughout every project phase.
Services
Rail Car Design
Finite Element Analysis
AAR Compliance Consulting
Structural Analysis
Dynamic Analysis
Testing Services
Regulatory Compliance
Maintenance of Way Services
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We have 40+ years of specialized railroad engineering experience
- Our team holds Professional Engineer certifications
- We serve 300+ clients across rail transportation sectors
- We provide AAR and FRA compliance expertise
- Our legacy includes pioneering rail car design innovations
What people say
Skilled in their fields
Timely turnaround
Detailed analyses
Professional relationships
Knowledgeable team
Services
Rail Car Design
We create optimized rail car designs from concept to detail drawings, ensuring compliance with federal and AAR standards. Our engineers modify existing designs or develop new solutions using state-of-the-art software. Clients receive cost-effective, low-maintenance, and robust designs that meet international regulatory requirements.
Finite Element Analysis
Our FEA services use 3D modeling to predict structural performance under stress, identifying potential failure points before manufacturing. We perform elastic/plastic analysis, buckling analysis, and modal analysis to optimize designs for weight and durability in rail applications.
AAR Compliance Consulting
We help clients meet AAR standards through brake system design, suspension analysis, and Rule 88 applications. Our experts handle freight car conversions, load certifications, and safety compliance for both new and rebuilt rail equipment.
Dynamic Analysis
Using NUCARS and Femap software, we analyze vehicle dynamics including pitch, bounce, and high-speed stability. Our services identify natural frequency issues and optimize ride quality while ensuring wheel/rail contact safety compliance.
Maintenance of Way Services
People
Keith A. Miller
Vice President of Engineering, Co-Owner
Licensed Professional Engineer with extensive railroad industry experience, overseeing engineering operations and client relationships at Sims PE.
Suzanne L. Babusiak
Director of Engineering, Co-Owner
Engineering leader managing technical operations and strategic direction for railroad compliance and design projects.
Cody S. Kasten
Engineering Supervisor, Analysis
Supervises analytical assessments and finite element analysis projects with specialized railroad engineering expertise.
Dan H. Thompson
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineering specialist supporting design and analysis projects with technical proficiency in rail systems.
Roger D. Sims
Founder
Established Sims PE in 1983 after 50 years in rail industry innovation, pioneering engineering solutions for major railroad companies.
Questions
What engineering services do you specialize in?
We specialize in rail car design, structural analysis, finite element analysis, compliance consulting, and testing services for railroad transportation.
How long have you served the rail industry?
We've provided engineering solutions since 1983, with our founder having 50+ years of rail industry experience.
Do you handle international projects?
Yes, we offer design and compliance services with international applications and global industry knowledge.
What compliance standards do you support?
We ensure compliance with AAR, FRA, and federal regulations including Rule 88, OTLR, and MSRP standards.
How do you ensure project quality?
We combine classical analysis techniques with modern tools like NUCARS and Femap for comprehensive quality assurance.
