Smoother Rails. Quieter Rides.

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Released: 11/10/2025

Smoother Rails. Quieter Rides.

PATCO's overnight rail grinding project keeps trains running safely while making rides smoother and quieter for riders and neighbors alike.

If you've spotted a unique piece of machinery along the PATCO tracks recently, you may have seen the rail grinder being positioned for its work. It is a specialized vehicle performing one of the most important, yet least visible, maintenance tasks on our system.

What exactly is rail grinding? In short, it's a process that helps keep train rides smooth, quiet and safe.

Over time, rails naturally wear down from everyday use, weather, and the friction of train wheels. These factors can create tiny cracks, fatigue, and uneven surfaces. If left unaddressed, those imperfections can lead to more noise and vibration, a rougher ride, and accelerated wear on both rails and train wheels.

That's where rail grinding comes in. Using precision grinding stones, the machine gently smooths and reshapes the rail surface. This process restores the original railhead profile, removes small defects, and extends the rail's life. It also enhances the way train wheels interact with the rail, resulting in quieter operation and improved ride comfort for passengers.

"Rail grinding extends the life of our rails and track components, improves how wheels and tracks interact, prevents premature rail failures, and reduces wear on our train car wheels," said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager.

As part of PATCO's ongoing maintenance program, crews are performing rail grinding and profiling on both the eastbound and westbound tracks, a total of 18 miles along the 14.2-mile main line. This work includes precision grinding of PATCO's interlockings, the track sections that allow trains to cross from one track to another, in greater detail than ever before.

The $1.34 million project is being completed overnight during PATCO's weekday maintenance window, allowing crews to work safely and efficiently with no impact on service. In past years, performing this level of detailed grinding was challenging due to PATCO's 24/7 service schedule. Now, with the overnight "owl" service suspension, crews have an extended window to take both tracks out of service simultaneously. This additional time enables more comprehensive maintenance work, like detailed rail grinding, in addition to the deep cleaning and inspections that take place overnight.

This latest effort follows similar projects completed by PATCO in 2019 and 2023. Many sections of this rail are original to the system, making ongoing precision maintenance essential to keeping the infrastructure in top condition.

While most passengers won't see the rail grinder in action - since the work happens overnight - the benefits are something everyone can appreciate. The smoother rail surface means quieter trains, a more comfortable ride, and reduced train-passing sounds for nearby neighbors.

By investing in improvement projects like this, PATCO continues to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient service for riders today and for years to come.