April 16th – Today, passing through Tyseley, I noticed a work crew of lookouts and technicians were on the tracks as trains passed by slowly. I wondered what they were doing, and stopped to take a look. The one chap has a measuring gauge, and is checking carefully the distance between the rails around a set of points.
It never occurred to me that this was necessary, but once thought about, the geometry of the tracks must have to be perfect. It seems a whole industry of measuring equipment exists specially for the purposes of checking the tracks.
I love the way the guys work as a group – I saw five – with some being lookouts stationed with horns to warn those engaged in the task that a train may be coming.
he work practices of the railway fascinate me.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 