Tasks
There are many tasks done by railway track workers. A few are listed below:
- spreading and tamping ballast to provide firm foundation for sleepers
- cutting rails to length and grinding worn and rough rail ends
- placing sleepers across roadbeds, and positioning and fastening rails on sleepers
- drilling bolt holes, and bolting and welding rail sections
- removing and replacing worn and damaged rails, sleepers and switches
- cleaning and lubricating switches
- examining track, lubricating wheel bearings on rolling stock and maintaining switch signal lamps
- installing and repairing signals and other equipment
- may assist with the righting of derailed rolling stock