The BNSF has had "regional" Engineering people who cover large areas. The UP has historically had "Chief's Parties" that covered the entire system. The BN and the UP both had district-level syrveyors who worked for the Division Engineers. On the WP, we had a traviling crew (I was on that for 4 years up to the end) that covered Oakland-Salt Lake City. When the UP took over, we had 3-man crews stationed at Stockton, Keddie, and Elko. That went to Stockton and Keddie with a Salt Lake-based crew handling out to Alazon--each becoming a 2-man crew as the instruments improved. When they trimmed off Keddie (and me), the Stockton crew became just about what the old WP crew used to cover. Within a few years, ALL Division crews were eliminated. Meanwhile, the Chief's Crews still roamed the system on major projects. These crews were based in different locations, but traveled anywhere. Now, they only have a skeleton staff that still surveys, covering primarily disasters and VERY special projects. Surveyors were viewed as a very specialized luxury during the late 80s and 90s when the railroads eliminated most of (us). (I was offered an office job in Omaha--didn't go).