Wiktionary
surfaceman
n. (context Scotland English) A platelayer; one who maintains a railway track.
Usage examples of "surfaceman".
Proceeding there in company with my eldest brother-in-law, a plate-layer and surfaceman on the Northern (he being uncertain about the Derby winner for that year), I was told by the person for a trifle of two shillings that I was soon to cross water and to meet many strange adventures.