Maintenance of Way

The trains do not roll today. However briefly, they do not roll. The railroad is not stopped, not permanently, however, it stands, paused. The trains catch their breath.

The track gang is at work. The sparks fly. No trains run today. The welded rail must be repaired. Down the track, red blocks protect the path of eight diligent workers who work at a fervent pace.

Fervent, yet safe, everything is done safely. On the truck door is a box marked "Trauma Kit." No need to remind one that this is dangerous work. These workers are skilled at what they do. Skilled and cautious, for it is not just their life that they hold but the life of their friends and colleagues, and, in the end, the lives of all who work on the railroad once the track is fixed.

This is maintenance of way. These workers are some of railroading's unsung heroes. Today they work in the mud and wind of a recently passed storm. Yet they stand proud. Out of four trucks they work. Always keeping a safe distance from the shower of the welder's sparks. Always alert. All so the railroad will run safely once again.

Much of America's 140,000 miles of railroad track lays in remote, hard to reach areas, such as mountain passes and deserts.  Frequently track needs to be replaced in tunnels and over bridges.  Especially on single track, it is vital to get trains running after replacing rails or cross ties, as industries at the end of the line are not be able to receive vital supplies that can only be shipped by rail car, such as coal, grain, or steel.

Train stations are also pose a challenge.  By their nature, train stations often pose challenges in accessing equipment and rail lines that need maintenance.  Workers do not want to put passengers in harms way.  Many passenger trains run on high-voltage electric current, which, at times must be disabled in order to work on the track.  The worker always must be mindful of this danger as well as the danger of oncoming trains on parallel tracks.

When we see the delay at the station due to repairs, the need to take a bus detour, sometimes we forget that our safety is in these worker's hands. It is in these repairs that the railroad stays strong, because of those strong workers who repair the right of way.