Under new Federal training rule requirements, this workshop is the first in the nation to be FRA Part 243 reviewed and approved.

CTR’s most popular railroad workshop focuses on the basic principles of track inspection. The 4-1/2 day course concentrates on requirements of the FRA Track Safety Standards, 49 CFR, Part 213, though contents are applicable to any railroad’s internal track standards. Since 1992, more than 400 organizations–including Class 1s, shortlines, commuter agencies, industries, contractors, and consulting engineers–have sent employees to this outstanding program. In fact, many railroads use this program to meet the training and demonstration of knowledge requirements found in Part 213.7, designation of qualified persons. The course content is presented through a combination of classroom presentation and field exercises. This workshop provides 27 professional development hours.

This workshop follows the same basic outline as our regular track inspection workshop but focuses on the federal Track Safety Standard requirements for track of Classes 6 through 9 (passenger train speeds above 90mph ). The course covers 1-1/2 days and includes both classroom presentation and field exercises. Due to the specialized nature of the content, this course is offered on demand.

This is a customized workshop based upon our regularly held track workshop. This program is intended to train transit system track inspectors and track supervisors. Federal track safety standards do not generally apply to transit systems, so this course is tailored to the standards of the host transit system. Because of the specialized nature of the content, this course is offered on demand.

This workshop provides two days of classroom instruction on basic track maintenance practices, with an emphasis on shortline, branchline, and industrial freight track of FRA Class 1 or 2 (25 mph or less). The course presents the basic elements of railroad track, identifies maintenance issues, presents principles of maintenance planning, and discusses maintenance approaches suited for this type of track. Focus areas include drainage, turnouts and track crossings, crossties, continuous welded rail, and track geometry. This workshop provides 12 professional development hours.

This workshop provides 2-1/2 days of classroom instruction on the design of railroad track, including horizontal and vertical alignment, cross section, turnouts and crossings, component selection, earthwork, drainage, and clearances. The design approaches highlight applicable AREMA standards and general industry practices. The attendee will learn how traffic characteristics affect design characteristics. This workshop provides 15 professional development hours. Attendees should have either an engineering or engineering technology background.

Track geometry defines the critical interface between railroad rolling stock and infrastructure. Geometry issues account for nearly one-third of track related derailments. This workshop provides two days of classroom and field instruction focusing on track geometry concepts, the most complex aspect of track inspection and maintenance. The attendee will learn techniques for identifying, measuring, and correcting problems with track gage, alignment, and surface. The course also addresses the geometry of special trackwork such as turnouts and track crossings. Course content includes measurement procedures using hand tools, automated methods for geometry measurement, analysis of geometry data, restoration of degraded geometry, and modifying existing geometry by changing curves, spirals, and turnouts.

This is a 2 day workshop that presents the construction and behavior of timber bridges, explains common failure modes, describes techniques and practices for timber bridge inspection, identifies routine maintenance requirements, and explains how to perform common repairs. The course includes both classroom and field activities. No engineering experience is necessary. Participants receive 14 professional development hours.

This is a 2 day workshop that presents the basic types and construction of steel bridges, describes component function and behavior, addresses common problems and failure modes, describes techniques and practices for inspection, and provides recommended approaches to basic maintenance and the solution of common problems. All aspects of bridge superstructure and substructure are covered. No engineering experience is necessary. Participants receive 14 professional development hours.

This is a half-day program, generally held as part of our bridge training, that covers the federal requirements for bridge worker safety found in 49 CFR, Part 214.

This is a 4-1/2 day workshop aimed at railroad train crews and mechanical forces who inspect freight cars as a part of the interchange process. This hands-on workshop focuses on the FRA and AAR regulations applicable to freight cars. Participants receive a wide range of materials on the subject. This workshop provides 34 professional development hours of training.

This is a one-day workshop that addresses the basic requirements of 49 CFR, Part 214 Subpart C establishing safety requirements for roadway workers. This course can be tailored to cover a railroad’s specific roadway worker safety plan developed in compliance with Part 214.