Rail-Track Laying & Maintenance Equipment Operators

realistic interests operate machine repair rails heavy equipment sand pits welding replacement installation align tracks

Track Inspector, Track Laborer, Track Maintainer, Track Repairer

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
  • Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
  • Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.

Knowledge

Transportation

  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • building and construction

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • management

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Spatial

  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software Hot Technology

Time accounting software

  • Timekeeping software

Education

high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:

$67,000
$46,350
$82,340
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators.