Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Careers / Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Summary Description


	Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Ballast Cleaning Machine Operator

2.	Emergency Service Restorer

3.	Machine Operator

4.	Oil Distributor Tender

5.	Operator

6.	Portable Grinding Machine Operator

7.	Rail Maintenance Worker

8.	Rail Track Layer

9.	Rail Track Maintainer

10.	Railroad Track Mechanic

11.	Railway Equipment Operator

12.	Section Gang

13.	Section Hand

14.	Section Laborer

15.	Slab Lifting Supervisor

16.	Stone Crusher Operator

17.	Track Dresser

18.	Track Equipment Operator (TEO)

19.	Track Grinder Operator

20.	Track Inspector

21.	Track Laborer

22.	Track Layer

23.	Track Laying Equipment Operator

24.	Track Laying Machine Operator

25.	Track Machine Operator Repairer

26.	Track Maintainer

27.	Track Man

28.	Track Mechanic

29.	Track Moving Machine Operator

30.	Track Repair Person

31.	Track Repair Worker

32.	Track Repairer

33.	Track Service Person

34.	Track Service Worker

35.	Track Supervisor

36.	Track Surfacing Machine Operator

37.	Track Walker

38.	Track Welder

39.	Trackman

40.	Trackwalker

Job Tasks

	Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported. Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.

	Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts. Maintain mechanical equipment.

	Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs. Weld metal components.

	Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks. Verify alignment of structures or equipment.

	Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws. Cut metal components for installation.

	Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels. Maintain construction tools or equipment.

	Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills. Drill holes in construction materials.

	Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes. Clean equipment or facilities.

	Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks. Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces. Compact materials to create level bases.

	Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement. Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

	Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails. Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces. Compact materials to create level bases.

	Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders. Maintain mechanical equipment.

	Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment. Clean equipment or facilities. Maintain construction tools or equipment.

	Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders. Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.

	Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved. Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.

	Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails. Cut wood components for installation.

	Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings. Apply paint to surfaces.

	Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering. Apply sealants or other protective coatings.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

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