Nicholas Ralston
Platteville
Summary
28 years track of experience with 24 years of my career as a railroad track inspector. An inspector with proven competence in providing quality inspections and dedication to safety with an injury free career. I can juggle work on several projects simultaneously while dedicating attention to each individual project. Experience in investigations of road crossing accidents and train derailments, preparing and providing detailed reports with experienced opinion of causes, and resolutions for future prevention. Insightful Inspector paying close attention to detailed inspections, leading up to no track caused derailments on my assigned territories in my career. Experienced in inspecting and operating both small and large equipment, on and off track. Dedicated to meeting deadlines and overcoming obstacles that impair my efficiency. Honest and insightful Inspector with outstanding verbal and written communication skills performing complex inspections to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standard plans of design. Dependable employee with no missed work other than scheduled vacation and ability to sustain a flexible schedule for an ever changing industry. Efficient learner with high interests on new procedures, products, and technology that makes railroading a one of a kind industry, and leading the way on safety.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Town Trustee
Platteville Board of Trustees
Platteville
04.2018 - Current
- Ability to work with community non-profit agencies, land developers, aggregate companies, agricultural interest, county, and community leaders in pursuit of shared goals.
- Collaborated with various departments to support and establish programs, and balance yearly budgets for each department.
- Attend scheduled meetings to hear citizens voice concerns, discuss meeting topics, give feed back, opinions and ideas to better secure our communities future.
- Outline, implement, and maintain state and local policies, and procedures.
- Work with department leaders to deliver project requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines.
- Address citizens, and town departments concerns and resolving problems by working together as a board to come to a legal and reasonable solution.
- Ballance town yearly budget and help direct funds to departments with next years projects and yearly needs.
- Assigned to Youth Recreation Committee to listen to new ideas and on needs to help make our youth grow in our community. Bringing back this information to the Town Board for approvals and suggestions.
Surfacing Gang Forman
BNSF Railway
Brush
02.2025 - Current
- Supervised daily operations of track maintenance activities and crew safety protocols.
- Coordinated equipment usage and ensured proper maintenance for operational efficiency.
- Managed work schedules and assigned tasks to team members for optimal workflow.
Railroad Inspector
BNSF Railway
Longmont
04.1999 - 02.2025
- Capable of identifying acceptable repairs and applying remedial actions to defects.
- Generate detailed reports outlining inspection and testing results.
- Filled out and submitted logs and paperwork on-time.
- Implement quality inspection procedures following policies, and competency requirements.
- Participated in training to strengthen and develop inspector knowledge to improve competencies and updates pertaining to the job.
- Investigated derailments, identified probable causes and recommended procedures to safely and efficiently get the track back in service.
- Recommended improvements to production process to facilitate quality control.
- Adjusted and monitored production processes for quality and productivity.
- Approved incoming materials by confirming specifications and conducting measurements.
- Reviewed technical documents to verify code and safety compliance in both electronic and paper formats.
- Inspections, reporting and tracking of deviations from test cars and vehicles to insure quality standards. Applying proper remedial actions and designate appropriate personnel for corrective action.
- Utilized precision tooling for verification of compliance per engineering instructions and FRA compliance manuals.
- Retaining strong knowledge and up to date education of track standards and regulations and their changes, enabling me to immediately identified discrepancy's when performing necessary inspections.
Roadmaster
BNSF Railway
Denver
03.2005 - 01.2007
- Enforcing Federal, and Company rules and regulations for safety and operations.
- Conducted employee operation testing, documented findings and stopping and unsafe behaviors.
- Evaluated personnel for performance and safety, giving feedback for improvement to achieve a safety driven environment.
- Monitored resource use to achieve set goals within budget constraints.
- Directed day-to-day operations by spearheading of short-term and long-term plans to decrease impacts on operations allowing trains to operate efficiently.
- Guided employees on understanding and meeting changing standards and rules, and set an understanding to perform quality repairs and installs of track components safely to meet our teams expectations.
- Anticipated and tracked operational and tactical risks to provide strategic solutions.
- Supported accident investigations and prepared related paperwork.
- Collaborated with team leaders on quality audits.
- Responded to information requests from superiors, providing specific documentation.
- Reviewed daily financial reports and reconciled accounts to keep information current and accurate.
- Identified areas of deficiency and performed root-cause analysis to solve problems.
Train Dispatcher
BNSF Railway
Fort Worth
01.2004 - 07.2004
- Monitored dispatch board and adjusted train priorities regularly based on operational needs.
- Tracked changes in computer system to keep records current and accurate.
- Reviewed routes, daily traffic and weather conditions to adjust plans, meeting daily requirements and service needs.
- Communicated with individuals within the assigned territory to facilitate maintenance and operational needs to continue safe and efficient operations.
- Responded immediately to emergencies by initiating outbound calls to police agencies and emergency contacts.
- Worked closely with Chief dispatchers to dispatch priority trains, assign crew, and availability for calls.
- Utilized various software systems to facilitate movement, planning and scheduling.
- Reported delays, accidents or other traffic and transportation situations.
Track Laborer
CP Rail
Rosemont
05.1998 - 12.1998
- Adjusted previously laid track parts to promote long-term maintenance objectives and maintain safety targets.
- Completed maintenance and repairs on tracks and adjacent equipment.
- Demonstrated self-reliance by meeting and exceeding workflow needs.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Railroad Inspections
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KSAssociate of Science - Railroad And Railway Transportation
St. Paul Technical School
St. Paul, MN12.1998
Vocational Certificate - Commercial Art And Graphic Design
T. H. Pickens
Aurora, CO05.1997
High School Diploma -
Bennett High School
Bennett, CO05.1997
Skills
- Safety driven with Safety mind set
- Experience with new track construction and proper designs
- Understanding of standard track plans and designs
- Safety performance monitoring
- Defect identification and remedial actions
- Quality control
- Critical thinking
- Equipment function testing
- Documentation and recordkeeping
- Understands mathematical calculation pertaining to work
- Blueprint reading
- Attention to Detail
- Problem anticipation and resolution
- Time management driven
- Corrective action recommendations for permanent repairs
- Instrument calibration
- Understanding of dimensional measurements
- Decision making
- Goal oriented
- Understanding of inspection and testing reports (GEO car strip charts/ultrasonic rail testing/ground penetrating radar)
- Observant in nature
- Good report writing skills
- Clean driving record
- Budget Administration
Accomplishments
- I have successful worked 27 years in the railroad industry without injury
- Successfully passing all required classes pertaining to my job and ability to put what I learn into application
- Awarded Safety Employee of the month for December 2022
- 4 "On guard" awards presented to me by BNSF Resource Protection for helping with "Operation Stop" testing, and asset protection
- I have taken my artistic abilities as a hobby, to have successfully taught myself metal fabrication, pin striping, and custom paint designs
- I have designed unique structures and improvements to equipment through fabrication
- I have designed equipment, household art, motorcycle modifications and car modifications
- I have become successful in designing award winning custom paint designs for helmets, motorcycles and cars on this journey
- started a sol-proprietor business for my custom work
Timeline
Surfacing Gang Forman
BNSF Railway
02.2025 - Current
Town Trustee
Platteville Board of Trustees
04.2018 - Current
Roadmaster
BNSF Railway
03.2005 - 01.2007
Train Dispatcher
BNSF Railway
01.2004 - 07.2004
Railroad Inspector
BNSF Railway
04.1999 - 02.2025
Track Laborer
CP Rail
05.1998 - 12.1998
High School Diploma -
Bennett High School
Vocational Certificate - Commercial Art And Graphic Design
T. H. Pickens
Associate of Science - Railroad And Railway Transportation
St. Paul Technical School
Some College (No Degree) - Railroad Inspections
Johnson County Community College