More information from O*NET OnLine:

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators - 47-4061.00

O*NET-SOC 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 of Reported Job Titles

Machine Operator
Rail Maintenance Worker
Track Equipment Operator (TEO)
Track Inspector
Track Laborer

Track Maintainer
Track Repairer
Track Walker
Trackman

SOC Occupation Groups

47-0000	Construction and Extraction Occupations
47-4000	Other Construction and Related Workers
47-4060	Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
47-4061.00	Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Related Occupations

47-2061.00	Construction Laborers Bright Outlook
47-2071.00	Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
47-2072.00	Pile Driver Operators
47-2073.00	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
47-5022.00	Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
47-5023.00	Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
49-3042.00	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
49-3043.00	Rail Car Repairers
49-9044.00	Millwrights
53-7041.00	Hoist and Winch Operators

Tasks

Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.
Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.
Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.