A railroad inspector tries to find out what caused the wreck. She will make sure that the bridge is quickly repaired. Taking good care of the tracks can prevent train accidents. A special engine can find dangerous cracks in the rails. A track worker uses a smaller machine to check for cracks, too.
Cranes place a whole section of new track in position.
Wooden crossties support the rails. When they need to be replaced, a tie remover raises the rails and pushes out the old ties. Other machines dig ditches and smooth out gravel around the tracks. Trains must keep running, night and day, in good weather and bad weather. In the winter, a snow plow rides along the rails, blowing snow off the railroad tracks.