The interview with R. M. Brown, chief engineer of Union Pacific, discusses improvements in U.S. railroads' track conditions. Progress has been made in track maintenance machinery, but there is a need for units that can work off track. Basic track technology remains unchanged, but track components need to be more durable, especially in rail metallurgy. Brown also talks about geotextiles, increased line capacity, the use of German rail on curves, the impact of high-capacity cars, and personnel challenges.