Education - Part 5C6
Maintenance of Way - Right-of-Way Maintenance
r
Right-of-Way Maintenance
In addition to track maintenance, it is necessary to maintain the rest of the right of way (ROW). This includes spraying herbicides to kill any plants that attempt to grow in the track ballast or along side the track, in drainage areas and along service roads.
Tree trimming along the line is also required from time to time to prevent limbs or entire trees from falling onto the tracks. Trimming or removing brush is also required on a maintenance schedule. There are special pieces of railroad equipment to help accomplish ROW maintenance, one example of which is illustrated below.
Right-of-Way Maintenance
In addition to track maintenance, it is necessary to maintain the rest of the right of way (ROW). This includes spraying herbicides to kill any plants that attempt to grow in the track ballast or along side the track, in drainage areas and along service roads.
Tree trimming along the line is also required from time to time to prevent limbs or entire trees from falling onto the tracks. Trimming or removing brush is also required on a maintenance schedule. There are special pieces of railroad equipment to help accomplish ROW maintenance, one example of which is illustrated below.
Kershaw® 75 HRT hi-rail tree trimmer
ROW maintenance also includes removal of other fallen objects such as rocks or stones, used tires and other rubbish, even bicycles, automobiles and other human detritus. Frequent inspection is needed as well as reports from train drivers and ordinary citizens. Some people use railroad property as a dumping ground, at considerable cost to the railroad.
Right-of-way maintenance also includes clearing of drainage channels, culverts and other drainage elements to protect the track bed.
Other Maintenance Requirements
Various other ROW assets require maintenance, including stations, terminals, yards, bridges, tunnels and so on. The equipment and processes we have already discussed, plus regular construction equipment and processes, apply in these cases as well. Every facet of railroad operations must be inspected and maintained/improved regularly. This includes even the maintenance equipment and facilities themselves.
Various other ROW assets require maintenance, including stations, terminals, yards, bridges, tunnels and so on. The equipment and processes we have already discussed, plus regular construction equipment and processes, apply in these cases as well. Every facet of railroad operations must be inspected and maintained/improved regularly. This includes even the maintenance equipment and facilities themselves.