Railways have been an essential part of the infrastructure of most western countries for several decades. In the UK, railways are used constantly to transport people and goods and are essential to the economic well being of the country.

However, few people realise how much work goes into keeping our vast network of railway tracks safe and well maintained. There are several elements involved in track maintenance. Here’s a quick guide to track maintenance and safety:

Railway tracks need to be cleaned regularly but several of the methods used can cause damage.  For example excessive cleaning of tracks can cause scratching and can attract more dust to settle.

Metals that are used for tracks need to go through a series of processes before they are ready such as heating and cooling processes. It is only once they have been carefully treated that they are ready to be used as train tracks.

The ballast of the track (the space between the rails and the ties) should be smooth to ensure that the rails are parallel. If the ballast is not smooth it can cause uneven or disrupted rail tracks.

General wear and tear can be a problem and needs to be carefully monitored.

Rails should be securely attached. If they are too loose they can cause the rail wheel to ‘bounce back’ which can result in an extremely bumpy journey or even derailment.

There are several ways to carry cleaning and safety equipment along train tracks, for example rail skates.

Rail skates can be used individually or in pairs and clip on attachments can be fitted to increase the carrying capacity.

Keeping rail tracks clean and safe requires immense precision and skill. There are several types of safety equipment that need to be involved in the process, and various machinery which can help with the job.

Railway track maintenance is extremely important for both passengers and goods and performing the correct safety assessments can prevent catastrophes from happening. Professional railroad contractors and professional railroad safety equipment providers help to ensure that the UK’s vast network of tracks is kept safe.