Spring and Summer Safety Checklist for Rail Customers

Get ready for spring and summer with these important steps to ensure your property conditions are safe for the warmer months.

Inspect Gutters, Drains, and Walkways

• Check to ensure leaves aren’t creating a blockage

• Clear walkways of debris or clutter to minimize trip hazards

• Remove standing water

Check Crossings, Tracks, and Structures

• Clean all switches, derails, frogs, and flangeways

• Check for proper drainage around switches and rail

• Remove debris on and beside tracks to minimize trip hazards

• Ensure all gates and locks are functioning

Vegetation Management

• Ensure vegetation does not:

- Create a fire hazard

- Obstruct visibility of railroad signs or signals

- Interfere with employees during normal trackside duties

• Ensure adequate clearance for walking

• Ensure above-ground clearance for riding on side of car

After a Storm

• Inspect and clear walkways of fallen debris

• Inspect switches and tracks for water, fallen branches, and other obstructions

• Check crossings and flangeways for dirt and standing water

• Check ballast for washouts

Railroad Contacts

Watco 24-hour EMERGENCY

Hotline: (316) 262-1700

This number dials the Watco 24-hour Dispatch Center and is used to report life-threatening or impending equipment damage emergencies only.

Watco Rail Customer Service (866) 889-2826

GDLK Roadmaster Joe Grupczynski (269) 365-7513

jgrupczynski@watco.com

GDLK General Manager Chadd Thimesch (316) 775-8009

cthimesch@watco.com