July is high construction season on railroads, the time when anybody affiliated with railroad engineering is out in the field working, measuring, recording, testing and more along the track. It's a time for m/w laborers with spike mauls and for big yellow machines. If you're one of those individuals who is thrilled by the smell of creosote in the morning, with a blend of diesel exhaust and other aromas (Are you listening, Jake Jacobson?), then this is indeed your season. People in board rooms love to read reports about miles of rail laid, new ties installed, tons of ballast put down and tamped, etc., but they don't have the feelings of pride that the people in the field enjoy when they see those fine ribbons of track that simply would not be there to handle today's loads if not for their personal efforts.
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