Crews laying new concrete ties, 1970s.

Amtrak work crews operate the Track Laying System, a series of machines that moved along the rails and replaced ties, installed continuous welded rail, cleaned ballast and aligned the track. It could cover up to a mile per day. Here, new concrete ties are being installed, possibly as part of the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project (NECIP) north of New Haven, Conn.

Through the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (4R Act), Amtrak gained ownership of the majority of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C., and Boston. Amtrak also obtained 128 railroad stations as well as maintenance shops and rail yards to service locomotives and rolling stock. A major component of the 4R Act was the five-year NECIP. Improvements to tracks, stations, the electrical system, signals, and other corridor components were expected to reduce trip time and increase reliability.

Photographer: Unknown for Amtrak. From the Amtrak Corporate Collection.