Basic Railroad Track Maintenance
Rail Workshop | Available
This workshop provides two days of classroom instruction on basic track maintenance practices, with an emphasis on shortline, branchline, and industrial freight track of FRA Class 1 or 2 (25 mph or less). The participant will learn to identify:
- the basic elements of railroad track,
- maintenance issues,
- principles of maintenance planning, and
- maintenance approaches suited for various types of track.
- Focus areas include drainage, turnouts and track crossings, crossties, continuous welded rail, and track geometry.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Persons with responsibility for or interest in track maintenance will benefit from this class. These include shortline, regional, and Class I railroads; transit railroads; railroad contractors and consultants; state and local government agencies associated with railroad operation, finance, and regulation; and consultants.
AGENDA
Workshop begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. each day.
- Introduction and overview
- Track fundamentals
- Assessing track condition
- Track drainage
- Ditching
- Culverts
- Storm sewer systems
- Vegetation control
- Herbicide application
- Brush removal
- Addressing roadbed issues
- Geotextiles/geogrids
- Soil stabilization
- Drains
- Ballast
- Material properties
- Application
- Cleaning
Crossties - Types
- Requirements
- Replacement methods
- Rail
- Wear/defects
- Installation/replacement
- Inspection and maintenance
- Joints
- Continuous welded rail
- Turnouts and track crossings
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Adjustment
- Restoring track line and surface
- Highway-railroad crossings
- Estimating and scheduling track maintenance activities
- Safety
REGISTRATION
The registration fee for this workshop is $845 for all participants. This fee includes printed course materials, beverages, and snacks. Enrollment for this workshop is limited to 30 participants. Please register early to ensure your participation. Full payment of registration fees must be received at least two weeks prior to the workshop to guarantee your seat in the class.
Attendees are responsible for all meals and lodging. Registrants will be provided with information on available lodging in the workshop vicinity.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to schedule and travel commitments from our instructors, staff members, and training facilities, the registration fee is not refundable if a registrant withdraws less than two weeks before the workshop. If you cannot attend, you may send a substitute participant to the workshop at no additional cost (please notify us in advance if possible). This workshop may be canceled due to low enrollment. If this situation occurs, TTAP will provide notification of cancellation due to low enrollment at least 1 week before the scheduled start of the workshop, and all pre-paid registration fees will be refunded in full or applied to another scheduled workshop. If the workshop must be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control, TTAP will provide notification to all registered participants at the earliest possible time.
Dave Clarke
Dr. Clarke, formerly Director of the University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation, brings nearly 40 years of experience encompassing a variety of railroad design, inspection, research and education activities. He has taught railway related courses including this one, to college students and professionals since 1990. Dr. Clarke is well versed in the Federal Track Safety Standards covered in this course, and is frequently engaged as an expert to assess track conditions. As a licensed civil engineer, Dr. Clarke prepares specifications and designs for railroad track construction and maintenance. He is active in railroad related committees of AREMA, ASCE and TRB