The Full Landed Cost
The Hidden Costs of Importing from the US
When you buy a railway tool from a US supplier, the price on the invoice is only the start. The real landed cost also includes cross-border freight, customs brokerage and paperwork, and currency exchange — along with the swings that come with it. And then there's time: the days or weeks a shipment can sit at the border. For a crew waiting on a tool to keep a track program moving, that lost time is often the most expensive line of all.
Importing vs. Buying with Backtrack
Warranty & Service
The Real Risk Is Warranty and Service
The sticker price is one thing; what happens when the tool breaks is another. A tool imported from the US usually has to go back to the US for warranty work — more freight, more paperwork, more downtime. As Canada's factory-authorized repair, warranty, and distribution centre focused on railway MOW, Backtrack performs warranty and non-warranty repairs here, with genuine OEM parts, so your coverage stays intact and your tool comes back to spec — without ever leaving the country.
Downtime Is the Enemy
In Railway Work, Speed Is the Whole Game
Railway crews can't wait on cross-border delays. A tool stuck in customs is a crew standing still. Because we stock parts and tools in Canada and service what we sell at every location, the tool you need is usually already on this side of the border — ready to ship, or ready to fix.
Why Backtrack
What You Get with Backtrack
01
Five Locations Across Canada
Plus our mobile trailer for on-site demos, training, and delivery.
02
Factory-Authorized
Sales, warranty, and repair for the major railway tool brands.
03
Brand-Agnostic Advice
We recommend what's right for the job, not just what's on our shelf.
04
1,000s of Parts In Stock
Tools and accessories, including hard-to-find and discontinued items.
05
Built by Railroaders
For railroaders — 30 years serving Canada's railways.
Common Questions
Can Backtrack service a tool I imported from the US?
Yes. We service tools no matter where you bought them — from us, from another supplier, or imported from the US. If we can source the parts, we can repair it.
What happens to my warranty if an imported tool needs repair?
If a tool is imported, warranty work often means shipping it back to the US. Where Backtrack is the factory-authorized service centre for that brand, we handle warranty repairs here in Canada with genuine OEM parts, keeping your coverage intact. Contact us to confirm coverage for your specific equipment.
Does importing from the US actually save money?
It depends on the full landed cost, not just the sticker price. Cross-border freight, customs brokerage, currency exchange, and border delays all add up — and the downtime while a crew waits is often the biggest cost of all. We'd rather help you weigh the true cost than promise a number on the invoice.
How fast can I get railway tools in Canada compared with importing?
We keep 1,000s of parts, tools, and accessories in stock across five Canadian locations, with same-day delivery available from your nearest location. Importing means waiting on cross-border shipping and customs; buying here usually means the tool is already on this side of the border.
Can you source parts I'd otherwise have to import from the US?
Often, yes. Alongside our factory-approved catalogue, we keep a deep inventory of obsolete and legacy parts here in Canada — frequently the exact components crews would otherwise chase down through a US supplier, with the freight and customs that come with it. Check with us before you order across the border.
Backtrack
Railway Services Ltd.
Keep Your Crews Working — On This Side of the Border
Before you place another cross-border order, talk to Backtrack. We'll tell you what we have in stock, what we can service, and what it really costs to keep your tools running — honestly.