About Precision Rail Consulting
Precision Rail Consulting helps railroads and transit agencies strengthen operating rulebooks and build practical compliance programs that work in real operating environments.
Our focus is simple: clear rules, effective oversight, and systems that support safe and disciplined railroad operations.
Why We Exist
Many railroad rulebooks evolve over decades. New rules are added in response to incidents, regulatory changes, or operational adjustments. Over time, these additions can create rule systems that are difficult to interpret, inconsistently applied, or disconnected from the realities of field operations.
Precision Rail Consulting was created to help railroads and transit agencies bring clarity and structure back to their rule systems while strengthening the compliance programs that support them.
Our goal is not to add complexity, but to help organizations build rule frameworks that employees can understand, supervisors can enforce, and leaders can trust.
Our Expertise & Industry Experience
Precision Rail Consulting is led by a railroad operations professional and supported with a staff with extensive experience in:
- Operating rule development and governance
- Field compliance programs
- Safety and risk management integration
- Workforce training and rule implementation
- Real-world operational experience
This experience includes working directly with frontline employees, supervisors, and leadership to ensure rule systems support both operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Our Approach
Effective rule systems are built around the realities of railroad operations. Precision Rail Consulting focuses on practical solutions that align rule knowledge, workforce expectations, and supervision practices.
Our work typically includes:
– Structured rulebook evaluations
– Compliance program design
– Observation and measurement frameworks
– Integration of rules with training and supervision
This approach helps organizations move beyond reactive rule changes toward a more structured and sustainable rule system.
How Can We Help You?
Railroads operate in complex environments where clarity, discipline, and accountability are essential. Precision Rail Consulting works with organizations to strengthen the systems that support safe and reliable operations.
If you are evaluating your rulebook structure or compliance program, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help.
Areas of Focus
- Railroad and Transit operating rulebooks
- Compliance observation programs
- Workforce rule adherence systems
- Operational safety consulting
Customized Solutions for Your Rail Operations
Meet the dedicated experts driving our precision rail solutions. Our expertise is built in the field, in control centers, and inside rulebooks that govern real-world operations, not in classrooms or generic consulting playbooks. Built by Practitioners – Not Theorists.
What Sets Our Expertise Apart
- Direct and recent experience in active rail operations environments
- Proven ability to bridge rules, procedures, and real-world execution
- Deep understanding of safety risk management and regulatory expectations
- Focus on practical, implementable solutions, not theoretical models
We’ve seen firsthand how conflicting rules, unclear procedures, and misaligned risk controls create exposure, even in well-managed organizations.
Silas J Fielder
Founder & Principal, Rail Operations & Safety
Silas brings over 19 years of rail operations experience across both FRA and FTA-regulated environments, with deep expertise in train dispatching, operating rules, and safety risk management.
As a Train Dispatcher at Amtrak, he safely managed over 100 miles of multi-track territory along the Northeast Corridor, maintaining on-time performance while operating under complex NORAC rules.
He later transitioned into technical training leadership, where he developed and delivered 49 CFR Part 243-compliant training programs for dispatchers, engineers, and conductors.
In his most recent role within a major U.S. transit system, Silas leads initiatives focused on operating rule governance, safety risk integration, and the development of data-driven compliance programs. His work emphasizes ensuring that rule changes and procedures produce measurable risk reduction, not just administrative complexity.
Silas is the architect of the COMPASS Rules Compliance Program, a modern framework designed to generate actionable safety insights, strengthen supervisory effectiveness, and align operational practices with enterprise risk management.
Silas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Policy with a concentration in Compliance.
Matthew J Swanhart
Senior Consultant, Rail Operations & Roadway Worker Protection
Matt is a safety and operations professional with deep experience across rail infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and field-based risk management. His background spans both frontline and program-level roles, giving him a practical understanding of how safety systems must function in real operating environments.
In his most recent role, Matt serves as an Operating Practices Specialist, where he supports the development and alignment of operating rules with industry standards and regulatory requirements. He plays a key role in identifying operational hazards, assessing risk, and implementing mitigation strategies, while also contributing to training initiatives and safety governance processes.
Prior to this, Matt worked with Amtrak as both a Signal Maintainer and Senior Industrial Hygienist, where he was responsible for maintaining critical signal infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor and developing company-wide occupational safety and health programs. His experience also includes environmental compliance and hazardous materials oversight in both public and private sector roles.
Matt holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and is both a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Associate Safety Professional (ASP). He brings a disciplined, field-informed approach to safety—focused on identifying real risks, implementing practical controls, and ensuring compliance programs are both effective and executable in the field.