Track inspection and risk

摘要

Shortly after the first railroad track was constructed, the first track inspector was created. I suppose the answer to the question "Which came first, the derailment or the track inspector?" has been lost to history, but the inspection of tracks rapidly became one of the most critical aspects of railway safety. The data gathered and the evaluations of track conditions were based upon the experience and judgment of people inspecting on foot, using simple tools, at the point of data collection. Though trained, initially, by trial and error, the knowledge and experience was handed down through mentorship and training for generations thereafter. The investment by the railroads in track inspection was largely in human capital.