Track crews, also known as gandy dancers, maintain railroad tracks and deal with potential problems. The term “gandy dancer” originated in the late 19th century and was used to refer to black track workers. The name may have come from the use of special tools or from the way rails were handled. Gandy dancers ride the tracks to inspect them and use purpose-built lightweight track cars or custom-built cars and trucks.
An eccentric dancer is someone who works on a railroad maintenance crew. Track crews are vital to a functioning railroad, as these men and women ensure that the tracks are in good working order and deal with situations on the tracks before they turn into problems. The work in this field can be backbreaking and the hours are often very long, as people sometimes have to travel great distances to check and repair the tracks.
The origins of the term “gandy dancer” to refer to a track worker are somewhat obscure. The term appears to have emerged in the late nineteenth century, and was often used specifically in reference to black track workers. Many trail workers in the eastern United States were of black ancestry, while workers in the west tended to be Chinese and later Latino, after Chinese immigrants were barred from most jobs, as well as from property, marriage and citizenship. Latin American gandy dancers had their own term for themselves: traqueros.
There are a variety of theories as to why floor operators have come to be known as flamboyant dancers. The “dance” part is actually pretty easy, as most of the track crews sang songs while working to keep the beat. Singing also helped dissipate fatigue, and in a well-coordinated troupe, the singing and carefully timed movements could resemble dance.
As for the “gandy”, things are a little more complicated. Some people have suggested that it is a reference to special tools known as gandies which were used to lift the rails as the ties were replaced. However, this could easily be a “gandy dancer” retroformation. Others have said it’s a nod to the Gandy Manufacturing Company of Chicago, which made many track maintenance tools. That would be plausible, except that no record of this company’s existence can be found.
In another theory of the origins of the “gandy dancer,” people point to the way rails used to lie on the rails were handled. These rails were very heavy and typically a large crew of men moved the rail together, shuffling carefully in time with the music and presumably resembling a waving flock of geese. This has apparently led people to call the rink operators “gander dancers”, which has been corrupted to “gander dancers”, although it is not known why ganders in particular instead of geese in general would be been identified. Perhaps it’s a reference to the all-male nature of heritage train crews.
Whatever the origin of the term, gandy dancers regularly ride the tracks to inspect them. Every time a train passes, the vibration loosens the track fixtures, so it’s important to tighten the tracks, check for rotten or damaged ties, and eliminate trackside hazards such as downed trees. Historically, Gandy dance crews used purpose-built lightweight track cars, which could be self-powered or powered by a small engine, to travel the sections of track they maintained. Many modern crews use custom built cars and trucks that are capable of driving on train tracks.
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