platelayer
Also known as trackman, trackwoman, track inspector, ganger, plate-layer, track foreman, trackwomen, fettler
thumb|Trackwomen, 1943. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad|Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company A platelayer (British English), fettler (British English – UK, Australia, NZ) or trackman (American English) is a railway employee who inspects and maintains the permanent way of a railway, usually working in teams or gangs under the charge of a foreman called (in UK, Australia and NZ) the "ganger", often assisted by an assistant ganger. The term "platelayer" derives from the plates used to build plateways, an early form of railway.
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6 sectionsContents
- Track inspection
- Platelayers' hut
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- Gallery
- References
thumb|Trackwomen, 1943. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad|Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company A platelayer (British English), fettler (British English – UK, Australia, NZ) or trackman (American English) is a railway employee who inspects and maintains the permanent way of a railway, usually working in teams or gangs under the charge of a foreman called (in UK, Australia and NZ) the "ganger", often assisted by an assistant ganger. The term "platelayer" derives from the plates used to build plateways, an early form of railway.
== Track inspection == Inspecting and maintaining the track, including all its component parts such as rails, sleepers, fishplates, bolts, etc., are the chief responsibility of the platelayer. Their duties include greasing points, and generally watching for wear and tear. When sections of track require complete replacement, larger teams of platelayers work together, and today employ a range of labour-saving machinery for many of the tasks traditionally undertaken by hand by platelayers.