Railways - Stafford 1850's

I am trying to trace a distant relative who married in Stafford in
1852, then returned to his birthplace in Knighton, Radnorsh.
prior to the 1871 Census. He was, variously, a railway labourer
and, later, a platelayer.

Was there any significant railway construction in or around Stafford
at that time?

Hugh Watkins...

probably not construction but daily maintainance by a gang of platelayers

"walking the length" looking for and fixing faults

to get some idea of the scope of the job

Hugh Watkins...

tighten up all loose keys, and he must examine the line, level, and
gauge of the road, and the state of the fastenings and joins, repairing
such defects as are of immediate and urgent necessity.

Where the inspection is made by an authorised person other than the
ganger, any defects which are not repaired by him must be reported as
early as possible to the ganger or man in charge.

Examination of points and crossings. (f) All points, crossings and
derailers must be carefully examined, and, if necessary, adjusted.

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239. Workmen of the Company holding passes or free tickets, when going
to or from their work, must travel together, and, as far as possible,
apart from other passengers. When compartments are reserved for their
use, they must ride in these comparments only.

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Hugh W