RTD Resurfaces N Line Track

RTD is starting a program to resurface commuter rail track.

Courtesy of RTD

DENVER, Colo. – With frequent trains running each day, this leads to the ballast shifting and settling over time. In response, RTD is starting a program to resurface commuter rail track.

With frequent trains running each day, this leads to the ballast shifting and settling over time. In response, RTD is starting a program to resurface commuter rail track. Along the N Line from Union Station to Eastlake●124th Station in Thornton, RTD will begin resurfacing track to correct rail alignment. The work will take place over each weekend, starting at 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Sunday, for one month. 

As RTD works to resurface the track, “a tamper vehicle picks up the rail along with the rail ties, then pushes metal paddles into the ballast to vibrate and compact the ballast under the ties.” Doing this ensures the track is brought up to a specified height and “gets rid of dips in the rail.” After the tamper, a regulator vehicle follows up and distributes the ballast and smooths the track bed. While this smooths out the track, it also extends the life of the rail system. RTD stated in the announcement that it “endeavors to be a good steward of its publicly owned infrastructure and keeping the rail in good condition will help it last longer.”

The work will take place near residences, but RTD does not expect the work to take more than two days in each location with a completion date in late November.