7. Rail Grinders
Rail grinder trains are used to prolong the life of the rail tracks by grinding out irregularities caused by wear. It also helps to maintain the rail profile or shape. In addition to increasing the longevity of the track, this type of maintenance can also help eliminate noise and vibrations.
Rail grinders usually appear in the signature yellow of other subway work vehicles. According to a 2020 Subway Action Plan, the MTA has three rail grinders in use which covered over 187 miles of track in 2019. Profile grinding can also be done manually with a handheld machine for small areas.