Line overseer

The line overseer had a number of track tenders under him who were responsible for an assigned stretch of track within the line overseer’s assigned track section. The hierarchy was that the track tender reported to the line overseer, who in turn reported to the track engineer.

Inspection of the track

The line overseer’s main duty was to make sure that the track section assigned to him was in a state that enabled locomotives and trains to operate on it without risk of accidents. The line overseer conducted track inspections to ensure that everything was in order and that each track tender performed his duties properly. This included making sure “that the track tender’s cabins are kept neat and tidy, and that the required equipment there is in place and in good condition”.

During rain, thunderstorms and thawing, it was particularly important to carry out frequent inspections of the track. According to the “Tjänsteordning” from 1874, which specified the duties of the different positions, the line overseer had to inspect the track on foot at least once a day to detect any hazards to the trains operating on the railway.