The railroad's working fleet
Maintenance-of-way (MOW) covers the work needed to keep track, roadbed, bridges, signals and the right-of-way safe and usable. Some equipment moves as a conventional train; other machines are self-propelled or travel by road and rail.
Ballast trains
Ballast—the crushed stone surrounding and supporting the track—helps hold track in position, distribute loads and provide drainage. Ballast trains use specialized hopper cars that can discharge stone along the track. Modern cars may allow crews to control where ballast is released.
Rail trains & tie trains
Rail trains
Specialized cars transport long sections of rail, including continuous welded rail. Handling systems guide the rail safely during loading and unloading.
Tie trains
Carry new crossties to track projects and may be paired with equipment that removes old ties and installs replacements.
Material trains
Move track panels, switch components, tools and other materials needed for construction and maintenance projects.
Track machines
| Machine | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tamper | Packs ballast beneath ties and helps establish correct track geometry. |
| Ballast regulator | Shapes and distributes ballast along the track structure. |
| Rail grinder | Reprofiles the rail surface to manage wear and surface defects. |
| Tie equipment | Removes, inserts and handles crossties during track renewal. |
| Undercutter / cleaner | Removes or cleans fouled ballast beneath and around the track. |
Inspection & geometry equipment
Railroads inspect track in several ways. Specialized vehicles can measure track geometry, while other systems inspect rail for internal defects. Visual inspections and other technologies remain part of the overall inspection program.
Modern inspection equipment may look like a conventional railcar, a specialized self-propelled machine, or a road vehicle equipped to operate on rails.
Wreck trains & railroad cranes
Historically, railroads maintained wreck trains with heavy steam or diesel wrecking cranes, tool cars and crew accommodations to clear derailments. Large railroad cranes could lift locomotives and cars back toward the track. Modern derailment response often uses specialized contractors, sidebooms, road cranes and other heavy equipment, though railroad-owned equipment is still used in various roles.
Snow-fighting equipment
Wedge plow
Pushes snow aside as the plow moves forward.
Rotary snowplow
Uses a large rotating wheel at the front to cut through deep snow and throw it clear of the track.
Jordan spreader
A versatile maintenance machine whose adjustable blades can move snow, shape ditches and perform other right-of-way work.
Hi-rail vehicles
A hi-rail vehicle is typically a road vehicle fitted with retractable railway guide wheels so it can travel on both highways and railroad track. Railroads use them for inspection, signal work, track maintenance and transporting crews and tools.
Work trains then and now
Older work trains often included converted freight or passenger cars used as bunk cars, kitchens, tool cars and offices. Modern maintenance has become increasingly mechanized, but the purpose is unchanged: keep the railroad safe, aligned, drained, inspected and ready for traffic.
Want to know what a track machine does?
Ask Ask the Conductor about a tamper, rail grinder, ballast regulator, snowplow, wreck crane or other railroad equipment.
Ask the Conductor