Rail-Track Laying & Maintenance Equipment Operators
Also called: 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.
- Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
- Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
Knowledge
Engineering and Technology
- mechanical
- building and construction
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
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
Reaction Time and Speed
- quickly move your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command
- quickly move your arms and legs
Endurance
- exercise for a long time without getting out of breath
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Self Control
- Integrity
- Initiative
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software
- Timekeeping software
Data base user interface and query software
- Data entry software
Education
high school diploma or
some college
usually needed
some college
usually needed
Job Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
$45,000
per year, on average
This work is part of the green economy.
Explore More
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Logging Equipment Operators
- Mine Shuttle Car Operators
- Paving, Surfacing, & Tamping Equipment Operators
- Pile-Driver Operators
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